RoadVitals

2008 Dodge Ram Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Feb 15, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 28, 2009

What this page shows

Our database holds 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Dodge Ram. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 25

Suspension
Filed Feb 15, 2023
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that he heard an abnormal noise in the front driver’s side wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30-35 MPH making a left turn, the front driver’s side wheel detached from the wheel bearing. As a result, the vehicle started to spark and dragged into the concrete of the street. No injuries were sustained. No medical assistance was required. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side brake line and wheel bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

NHTSA ID
11507369
Incident
Oct 22, 2022
Mileage
186,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V529000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11480264
Incident
Aug 19, 2022
Engine
Filed Aug 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated the sensor needed to be replaced as well as the harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000

NHTSA ID
11479325
Incident
Jul 15, 2022
Mileage
70,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, a loud booming noise suddenly occurred from the rear of the vehicle and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was towed to the residence and inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ID
11466695
Incident
May 21, 2022
Mileage
86,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Jul 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the rocker panels, subframe, truck bed, and oil pan were severely rusted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ID
11424590
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
Mileage
116,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2012

2 THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. AT A NORMAL IDLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE HAS SURGES (A QUICK HIGH REV) THEN ONCE THE REV STOPS THE TRUCK ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. IN ANOTHER CASE, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK HAS A ROUGH IDLE THAT CAUSES THE TRUCK TO SHAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD COST ALOT OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461307
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
76,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 12, 2012

2008 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES ON VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUOUSLY HAD TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS. A FEW DAYS AGO, HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND ONE OF THE TIRES WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT TIRE, BUT WITH THE VALVE STEM. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONSUMER TWO OTHER VALVE STEMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE BAD AS WELL AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10455156
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Steering
Filed Nov 1, 2011

TOOK MY 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 4WD IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS WERE SEVERELY WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AT 35,500 MILES, TRUCK IS ONLY USED ON ROAD AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON EARLY WEAROUT ITEM ON THESE TRUCKS. WHY? *TR

NHTSA ID
10433864
Incident
Oct 31, 2011
Mileage
35,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 6, 2011

2008 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPAIRS FOR A DEFECTIVE WINDOW LEAKING IN THE BACK BUCKET SEAT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INSTALLED AND SEALED CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ID
10429731
Incident
Sep 21, 2011
Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2011

AT 39,000 MILES RIGHT ROTOR BECAME WARPED BEHIND TURNING HAD TO REPLACE. A FRIEND HAD SAME THEN HAPPEN ON SAME KIND OF VEHICLE. DEALER CLAIMS MAINTENANCE ITEM. NEVER HAD TO HAVE ROTOR REPLACED ON NEW VEHICLE BEFORE. BRAKE PADS WE FINE. VEHICLE ABOUT 4OMPH WOULD PULSATE WHILE BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10425601
Incident
Sep 15, 2011
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 7, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ALMOST FILLIPING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10424053
Incident
Sep 6, 2011
Mileage
40,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE TO THE AIR CONDITION BURST CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONER TO MALFUNCTION AND FREON TO LEAK ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DURING THE HOT WEATHER . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10422410
Incident
Jun 11, 2011
Mileage
82,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 2, 2011

TRYING TO SIGNAL A TURN LEFT AND THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL COMES. ALSO WHEN ITS RAINING OUTSIDE MY WIPERS ONLY RUN AT INTERMITTENT SPEED AND IF I SIGNAL RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE WIPERS ARE RUNNING THE WIPERS WILL STOP UNTIL SIGNAL HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN RAINING OUT ARE WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO CHANGE LANES AND I CAN NOT CHANGE CAUSE THE SIGNAL SAYS IM GOING RIGHT AND IM REALLY TRYING TO GO LEFT. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE I CAN NOT BELIE IT HASN'T BEEN ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10404150
Incident
May 29, 2011
Mileage
33,459 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 9, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S VALVE STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,242.

NHTSA ID
10399571
Incident
May 8, 2011
Mileage
16,242 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 21, 2010

SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER PANEL THE WARNING LIGHTS BLEED THROUGH WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO WARNED ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367003
Incident
Mar 14, 2009
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 4, 2010

2008 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE U-JOINT, TIE ROD, STEERING LINKAGE AND AXLE ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED MOST RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10347677
Incident
Aug 4, 2010
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP; THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,500. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10326984
Incident
Apr 15, 2010
Mileage
5,300 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jan 13, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK. HE STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, HE ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO AVOID HITTING AN APPROACHING VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER ALONG THE HIGHWAY HEAD-ON. LATER, HE RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E001000, STEERING LINKAGES; HOWEVER WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES WHICH INCLUDE HEAD CONTUSIONS, SEVERAL CUTS FROM THE GLASS, NECK INJURIES AND CRACKED RIBS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND COVERED UNDER HIS INSURANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 6,400.

NHTSA ID
10299645
Incident
Dec 11, 2009
Mileage
6,400 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Dec 21, 2009
Crash reportedFire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WITHOUT WARNING INTO THE GARAGE DOOR POST. AFTER REVERSING FROM THE GARAGE POST, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE HOOD. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REMOVED, AND THE SMOKE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE BODY DAMAGES SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10296600
Incident
Dec 4, 2009
Mileage
20,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 11, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE HEARD RATTLING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FRONT STABILIZER END LINKS AND THE SHOCK BRACKETS WERE REPLACED. ALSO THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E001000 (STEERING;LINKAGES). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID
10295357
Incident
May 8, 2009
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE BREAK PEDAL AT 55 MPH, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED. BREAK FAILURE CAN LEAD TO INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICH CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID
10285006
Incident
Jul 25, 2009
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND LIGHTING WILL FLICKER AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO START. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS NOTICED AT 25 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ID
10269606
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Mileage
8,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 8, 2009

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK- THE DASHBOARD IS REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND IMPAIRS VISION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SUNNY AND MAKES IT HARD TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD FOUR OTHER TRUCKS OF THE EXACT SAME SIZE ETC. BUT NEVER HAD A VISION PROBLEM FROM THE DASHBOARD BEING SUPERIMPOSED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268181
Incident
Jan 27, 2009
Mileage
100 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 22, 2009
Crash reported

ON A MISTY MORNING OUR TRUCK BEGAN TO SKID AS WE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER YIELDING TO EXITING TRAFFIC ON AN ACCESS ROAD ON IH 10. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO CONTROL THE SKID BY STEERING INTO IT, BUT WE JUST KEPT SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL. HE PURPOSELY REMEMBERS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO LESSEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. WE CONTINUED THE SKID ACROSS 2 LANES OF ACCESS ROAD TO THE RIGHT, THEN SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES AND SKIDDED BACK ACROSS 3 LANES OF ACCESS ROAD TO THE LEFT. WE CAME TO STOP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AFTER HITTING A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL FIRST WITH THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND THEN WITH THE RIGHT REAR OF THE TRUCK. I REMEMBER HEARING THE TIRES CONTINUING TO SPIN AND SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. THIS CAUSED OVER $6500 DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AND HAS CAUSED OUR INSURANCE RATES TO INCREASE. AFTER MONTHS OF DISCUSSING THE WRECK AND REPLAYING IT IN OUR MINDS, WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT PROBABLY, AS MY HUSBAND CLINCHED THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRIED TO CONTROL THE SPIN, THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AND SET WHICH MADE US CONTINUE TO TRAVEL AT THE SET SPEED INSTEAD OF SLOWING AND ALLOWING HIM TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. THE CRUISE CONTROL ON/OFF BUTTON AND THE SET BUTTON ARE BOTH LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD OR SEEN THAT HAS THE ON/OFF CONTROL FOR THE CRUISE LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. MOST VEHICLES HAVE THIS EITHER ON THE BLINKER LEVER OR EVEN ON THE DASH BOARD. WE FEEL CERTAIN THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INADVERTENTLY TURNED ON WHEN MY HUSBAND TIGHTENED HIS HOLD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN UNSAFE LOCATION FOR THIS CONTROL. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT IN OUR TRAVELS ACROSS ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD THAT MORNING OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MULTI CAR PILE UP. NO CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE TO THE TRUCK'S CRUISE CONTROL. WE PLAN TO HAVE IT DISCONNECTED. IN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM HAVING A WRECK, WE ARE REPORTING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266397
Incident
Nov 19, 2008
Mileage
3,200 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WANDERED TO THE LEFT. THIS WAS A SUDDEN CHANGE IN DIRECTION. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE GREASE SEAL WAS LEAKING. THE GREASE SEAL, STEERING LINKAGES, AND BOTH TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E001000 (STEERING;LINKAGES), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,798 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,534.

NHTSA ID
10256616
Incident
Nov 3, 2008
Mileage
12,798 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .