2008 Dodge RAM Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Dodge RAM (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2008 Dodge RAM. The part named most often is steering, with 6 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and brakes (3). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 68% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tie rod assembly, 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering6 24%
- Brakes3 12%
- Electrical system3 12%
- Engine3 12%
- Engine cooling2 8.0%
- Body and structure2 8.0%
- Tires2 8.0%
- Air bags1 4.0%
- Equipment1 4.0%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “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?”
NHTSA complaint #10433864, filed 2011-11, 35,500 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 complaint #11466695, filed 2022-05, 86,000 milesBrakes: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10266397, filed 2009-04, 3,200 milesElectrical system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10296600, filed 2009-12, 20,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
68% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 76,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V657000Dec 24, 2010Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assemblyCovers: Dodge RAM 2008–2011
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles. These vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod resulting in the potential loss of steering.
- 09V084000Mar 13, 2009Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Dodge RAM 2008–2009
Chrysler is recalling 65,896 my 2008-2009 light and heavy duty dodge ram pickup trucks. The windshield wiper module motor assembly may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability.
Recall details for the 2008 Dodge RAM → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE11009Outer Tie Rod FailureClosed · Apr 4, 2011
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10033546Feb 2, 2010Fuel system, Engine cooling. Dodge: electronic fuel control actuator (fca) available for service/new diagnostics available for dtc p0251. Engine surges at idle or mil illumination. Further investigation may identify dtc…
- 10031004Jun 13, 2009Engine cooling. Dodge: revised diagnostic and repair procedures for dtc p2262-turbocharger boost pressure not detected-mechanical. Recent pcm calibration updates have improved the robustness to this dtc through…
- 10028388Dec 17, 2008Transmission and drivetrain, Steering. Chrysler: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 low gear selection.
Other model years of the Dodge RAM
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 27 | 10,025 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 9 | 43,992 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 25 | 25,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 17 | 59,436 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 25 | 36,470 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 40 | 22,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 58 | 37,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 53 | 38,750 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 116 | 37,827 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 318 | 45,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 147 | 63,000 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 366 | 78,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 483 | 74,000 | 13 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 398 | 80,000 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 625 | 81,500 | 10 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 611 | 102,398 | 12 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 469 | 125,254 | 18 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 54 | 111,275 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 58 | 87,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 51 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 23 | 17,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 28 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Dodge RAM have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2008 Dodge RAM as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Dodge RAM is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 6 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 2008 Dodge RAM been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,000 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 76,000 miles; 68% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.