2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 73about this part
- Share
- 13%of 554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,459miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500, 13% of the 554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,459 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am concerned with the rear pinion retaining nut problem I have seen and heard about on these vehicles. I feel it should be an expanded recall as I don't want to be driving down the road and have my rear diff lock up or explode internally if its something that can be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10693456, filed 2015-03, 67,452 miles“While driving the rear axle lock-up and the driveshaft detached from the rear differential. This cause my truck to lock up the rear tires nearly causing and accident. I was on the ramp to the freeway. 20 more ft and I would have been in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10786758, filed 2015-10, 95,000 miles“Driving home from work down the highway I heard a loud whine coming from the rear end of the truck. I pulled over to the shoulder and was slowing down when the rear end locked up causing the truck to buck and skid to a stop. The drive shaft was lying on the ground having disconnected from the rear end. Once the truck was home I discovered nothing had broken. It looked like the pinion nut had loosened allowing the yoke to back off the pinion until they finally disconnected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10467200, filed 2012-07, 70,000 miles“Driving at a speed of 45 MPH the truck--2008 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7 hemi-- died. I had no power steering. I was able to shift into neutral and stop. Very thankful I was on a country lane and not on a freeway because there was no warning and I could have been in a horrible accident. The check gauges light icon was flashing as I tried to re-start it. It would crank but not start. After waiting for 15 minutes it did start up again. The engine icon light was showing and it said that an oil change was needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10504904, filed 2013-03, 35,300 miles“This vehicle has given me many problems and most recently very dangerous ones. A few months ago on my way to work around 4am the drive shaft broke off and flew out at 75 MPH. Luckily there wasn't much traffic during that time and the back part of the drive shaft is the one that broke off not the front so the truck didn't flip over. The truck has been repaired since then. Now a few days ago my pregnant wife was driving the truck and it turned off on her in the middle of an intersection while I was working out of town. On my return I found the electric throttle control light on at the dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10971515, filed 2017-04, 125,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10220837Mar 10, 2021GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to…
- 10220471Feb 22, 2021Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
- 10028388Dec 17, 2008Chrysler:dodge: approximately 2969 vehicles, equipped with an automatic transmission, may have been shipped with a gearshift cable that may slip out of adjustment and not allow…
- 10026168Jul 12, 2008Chrysler/dodge/jeep: flash:diagnostic trouble code, dtc p0740 or p1798 and automatic transmission shift improvements 1-2 or 2-3 cold shift improvements.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 | 176 | 26% |
| 2010 | 229 | 47% |
| 2009 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 | 594 | 51% |
| 2004 | 181 | 16% |
| 2003 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 | 45 | 9% |
| 1999 | 59 | 10% |
| 1998 | 85 | 16% |
| 1997 | 56 | 16% |
| 1996 | 52 | 17% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500
165 complaintsSteering
103 complaintsFuel system
64 complaintsElectrical system
52 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsEngine
35 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsWheels
19 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology