Dodge RAM 4500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 38 complaints (60.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 22 | 57.9% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 18.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 23 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
Steering: 23; Power Train: 5; Suspension: 5; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 4; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 15 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 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 17; 2015: 6; 2016: 4; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 ↗
Owner report 10882821 · 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
1ST TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS UNDER 36 THOUSAND MILES,, TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START OR MAKE A SOUND,, HAD IT TOWED TO BOB WILLIAMS DODGE IN ROME GA.,,WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE SECOND TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED I WAS SITTING STILL WITH TRUCK IDILING IN A PARKING LOT FOR 3 OR 4 MINUTES THEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF AND I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND BURNT PLASTIC,,, HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO ED VOYLES IN MARIETTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE MAIN WIRING HARN…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882929 · 2016-07-06 (July 6, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 4500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE WIRES BURNED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND PLUG HEAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10825056 · 2016-02-09 (February 9, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE WATER PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FRACTURE. THE FRACTURED SERPENTINE BELT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED FOR ABOUT 20 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10825056 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 9 |
2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 9