2008 Dodge RAM 4500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 10 complaints (70.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 90.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
Steering: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 1; Suspension: 1; Suspension:Front: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10386222 · 2011-03-02 (March 2, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE 4500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TIE RODS WOULD NEED REPLACING AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD IN WHICH THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD AND ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10397297 · 2011-04-25 (April 25, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 4500. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE NECESSARY PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY HIM WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE BUT HE HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10397297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443365 · 2012-01-10 (January 10, 2012)
AT 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PULLEY CAME OFF OF MY 2008 DODGE RAM 4500 CAUSING THE STEERING AND BRAKES TO FAIL. THANKFULLY,MY ARM STRENGTH AND TRAILER BRAKES SAVED ME THIS TIME. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER,THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR UNDER ANY RECALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,071 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443365 at NHTSA ↗