2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the front end — violent steering-wheel shake after hitting a bump (commonly called "death wobble") and broken tie rods — and about exhaust and emissions-system trouble that can shut the truck down. Reports span a wide mileage range, from near-new trucks under 5,000 miles to vehicles past 150,000 miles, and many owners say repeated dealer repairs did not end the shaking.

1. 1
   Steering

   Front-end shimmy or violent steering shake over bumps

   • 29 complaints (17%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2019

   Complaints describe the front wheels and steering wheel shaking violently after hitting a bump, bridge joint, or rough pavement, often at highway speed, and sometimes at very low speed. Owners say the only way to regain control is to slow down and stop, and several report repeat visits where the dealer replaced or greased steering stabilizers, control arms, or tires without stopping the shake. Some complaints mention the truck pulling left or right during the event. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 190,000 miles, most commonly between roughly 30,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 09V005000Recall 13V528000Recall 13V5290002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the truck over a rough patch or bridge joint at highway speed during the test drive and watch for shake. Ask for records of steering stabilizer, control arm, and tie rod work, and whether the tie rod recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hi im sending you an email on my 2008 Dodge 3500 dully to let you know about the really bad shaking in my front end when I hit a big bump on the high way it scared me and my family and I got a new truck so I would not have to deal with this anymore but I was wrong not happy about my truck 35,000 and cant drive it on the highway this sucks with my job I travel alot so what can I do about my truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10323682, filed 2010-04, 29,000 miles

   “While driving down the road whether it is on the highway running 65-75 or on a side road running 45-60 if you hit a bump, come off a bridge, or drive over anything that is not smooth road the vehicle will go into an uncontrollable wobble/shake. In order to regain control of the truck you have to slow down slowly and steadily and pray you don't start changing lanes because when she starts shaking it's driving itself! I know I'm not the only person that experiences this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10560867, filed 2014-01, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Broken tie rod or loss of steering control

   • 46 complaints (27%)
   • median 65,650 mi at 4.1 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe a loud pop and sudden loss of steering, with a front tire turning outward, after the tie rod breaks at the ball joint while turning or accelerating from a stop. Complaints say some trucks were repaired under tie rod recalls while others were told their VIN was not covered, and several owners report being turned away or told parts were unavailable when they asked for the recall repair. Spread from about 21,000 to 162,000 miles, with several reports in the 20,000-90,000 mile range.

   Recall 13V529000Recall 13V528000Recall 11V350000Recall 09V0050001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the VIN against the tie rod recall campaigns and confirm the left tie rod was replaced. Have a mechanic inspect the tie rod ends and ball joints for play or worn boots before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was driving home going around a left curve when the passenger side tie rod broke at the stud. Had to get vehicle towed to Dodge dealer where I was informed it was my fault the tie rod broke on the truck due to my vehicle upkeep(3 yr old tie rods don't just break) I told them fine fix my tie rod and anything else they find. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10443893, filed 2012-01, 65,000 miles

   “There is a recall on the tie rod. The vehicle was taken to a chrysler dealership in kissimme fl in 2014 on two different occasions. We were told by the dealership both times that the tie rod was not bad and they would not change it out. On 2/21/15, I was driving approximately 10 MPH when the tie rod fractured and I lost complete steering and was shot left of center. Fortunately, there was no oncoming traffic and I was able to pull off the side of the road without crashing into anything or anyone. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10689901, filed 2015-02, 140,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Exhaust filter and emissions system clogging, engine

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   On diesel trucks, complaints describe the particulate filter clogging and the truck losing power or shutting off while driving, sometimes requiring a tow. Owners report dealers clearing codes and forcing a regeneration, replacing the filter and catalytic components at low mileage, and warning that the turbo, EGR valve, and exhaust brake would need regular cleaning. Some describe surging or jerking under light throttle. Often at low mileage: several reports under 25,000 miles, including one at about 1,300 miles, with others around 75,000 to 118,000 miles.

   Recall 08V6410004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ECM reprogramming and turbo/EGR service bulletins were applied and whether the filter has been replaced. On a test drive, watch for power loss, surging, or a check-engine light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My truck has a serious problem with the exhaust plugging up. It almost got me in a serious accident when it basically died in the middle of the road this is a problem Dodge knows about and has even bought a few trucks back over but they make you jump through alot of hoops at your expense to do so.”

   NHTSA complaint #10235919, filed 2008-07, 21,000 miles

   “The date given above is the date we have actual paperwork for proof. Problem really started shortly after purchasing the truck brand new from dealer. I has always been take to the same dealer for on time maintenance. The check engine light comes on all the time. It is a very bad exhaust issue. I have done research on this and it shows that this problem can cause fires. No one will help. There many others with same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10478506, filed 2012-10, 22,327 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Fuse box / power module smoke or fire

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 150,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2017

   Complaints describe smoke or fire from the fuse box or integrated power module, sometimes with wipers, horn, and starter operating on their own and the engine shutting off while driving. Owners report losing power steering, lights, and brakes at speed, and in some cases disconnecting the battery to stop the electrical activity. Several mention burned wiring under the dash or dash-area smoke while parked. Mostly reported between about 65,000 and 172,000 miles, including a few around 89,000 to 160,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the fuse box and under-dash wiring for scorching, melted plastic, or a burnt smell, and test the wipers, turn signals, and horn for erratic operation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was turning onto another street I smelled electrical smoke. Truck started to run rough then stalled. Electrical smoke filled the cab. Everything that was electrical turned on and was either flashing blinking or running. I put truck in neutral and pulled the ignition key. The starter engaged on its own. I had to pull battery cables off to kill power to the truck by hand no tools. The tipm module burned internally. If my wife had been driving the truck would have burned. If the truck was in gear it would have taken off by itself.”

   NHTSA complaint #10502097, filed 2013-03, 160,000 miles

   “Arrived at lowes, left the truck running out front of the store while undloading riding mower to return. When we came back out vehicle had shut off and smoke coming from under the hood. Lifted the hood and noted fuse box smoking. Jumped back in truck and made sure engine turned off and key out of ingnition. While waiting for friends to towe the truck, wipers started horn and alarm started then car started up and took off across the parking lot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10777948, filed 2015-09, 172,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect the front steering and suspension components closely, verify the tie rod and airbag recalls were completed for that VIN, and drive it over rough pavement at highway speed before deciding. On diesel trucks, ask for service records on the exhaust filter, EGR, and any ECM updates.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.