2008 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
173 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
65,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 116 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 86 of 173 complaints (49.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 82 | 47.4% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 86 |
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Suspension | 15 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 9 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 8 |
| Power Train | 6 |
Steering: 86; Air Bags: 18; Electrical System: 16; Suspension: 15; Engine: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 9; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 8; Power Train: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 18
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2008: 8; 2009: 8; 2010: 20; 2011: 14; 2012: 13; 2013: 5; 2014: 46; 2015: 23; 2016: 15; 2017: 9; 2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 82 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10227876 · 2008-05-15 (May 15, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRACK BAR FAILED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240816 · 2008-09-03 (September 3, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10251267 · 2008-12-10 (December 10, 2008)
ON 7-26-08, MY TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ACROSS COUNTRY WHEN THE TRUCK SHUT ITSELF DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE IN A WRECK. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK DELIVERED TO A DODGE SERVICE CENTER, THEY SAID THE TRUCKS FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEM WAS PLUGGED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. HE WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEM, THE TURBO, EXHAUST BRAKE, AND EGR VALVE WOULD SUFFER CARBON DAMAGE AND WOULD NEED TO BE MAINTENANCE REGULARLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM FUNCTIONING. THE LABOR WOULD TAKE AROUND 6 HOURS EA…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258291 · 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)
VEHICLE IS 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL ON SLIPPERY ROAD WITH FOOT OFF THROTTLE, WHEN APPLIED GENTLE THROTTLE PRESSURE, THE ENGINE JERKED VIOLENTLY SEVERAL TIMES, AND CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO BRAKE TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. THIS EVENT IS INTERMITTENT, MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING WITH LIGHT THROTTLE, THEN LIFTING OFF THROTTLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND WHEN PRESS THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE, EXPERIENCE SEVERAL RAPID SHUDDERS OR JERKS FROM ENGINE BEFORE THE ENGINE PULL SMOOTHLY AGAIN.…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,758 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297107 · 2009-12-28 (December 28, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. NO OCCUPANTS WERE IN THE VEHICLE NOR THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY DAMAGED. HE TURNED THE BATTERY CABLES OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ARE REPAIRING THE ENGINE BUT NOT THE BUMPER. HE WAS TOLD TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO REPAIR THE BUMPER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 02/24/10. *LJ THE TRUCK WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND THE VEHICLE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415295 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING BEGAN VIBRATING ABNORMALLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES FOUR TIMES AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHT…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233632 · 2008-07-09 (July 9, 2008)
THE TRANSMISSION LOST ALL FORWARD GEARS WHILE CLIMBING UP LOST TRAIL PASS ON US 93 IN MONTANA. I WAS TOWED TO THE "NEAREST DEALER" IN HAMILTON, MT. THAT DEALER, BELL-MCALL, DID NOT HAVE THE WHEREWITH ALL TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO MISSOULA, MT. TO A REGULAR DODGE DEALER. CHRYSLER ROAD SERVICE REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE 2ND TOW. THEY STATED THEIR ONLY OBLIGATION WAS TO TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330773 · 2010-05-17 (May 17, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365811 · 2010-11-15 (November 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTING AT FULL POWER AND ABNORMALLY ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED THE CONTACT TO RUN AN ENGINE RETARDER ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WOULD HOLD THE VEHICLE BACK USING THE ENGINE, IT WOULD COMPRESS AND RELEASE FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR THE THROTTLE OF THE VEHICLE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502097 · 2013-03-08 (March 8, 2013)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262475 · 2009-03-19 (March 19, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY OTHER MOTORISTS THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE THEN NOTICED FLAMES IN THE CABIN AND THE BED, IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL TANK. HE PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE HIGHWAY PATROL ALSO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE LEFT A TRAIL OF FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK. THE DEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262475 at NHTSA ↗