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U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Dodge RAM problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

25 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

25,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 25 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior728.0%
Braking behavior312.0%
Engine operation14.0%
Electrical and battery issues14.0%

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.

Engine
3
Steering
3
Steering:Linkages
3
Power Train
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
Tires:Valve
2
Air Bags
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine3
Steering3
Steering:Linkages3
Power Train2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor2
Tires:Valve2
Air Bags1

Engine: 3; Steering: 3; Steering:Linkages: 3; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Tires:Valve: 2; Air Bags: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
8
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0008
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 6 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.

2009
7
2010
4
2011
7
2012
2
2021
1
2022
3
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20097
20104
20117
20122
20211
20223
20231

2009: 7; 2010: 4; 2011: 7; 2012: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10256616 · 2009-01-28 (January 28, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WANDERED TO THE LEFT. THIS WAS A SUDDEN CHANGE IN DIRECTION. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE GREASE SEAL WAS LEAKING. THE GREASE SEAL, STEERING LINKAGES, AND BOTH TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E001000 (STEERING;LINKAGES), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,798 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256616 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10266397 · 2009-04-22 (April 22, 2009)

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. WE CAME TO STOP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AFTER HITTING A CONCRETE …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266397 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10425601 · 2011-09-15 (September 15, 2011)

AT 39,000 MILES RIGHT ROTOR BECAME WARPED BEHIND TURNING HAD TO REPLACE. A FRIEND HAD SAME THEN HAPPEN ON SAME KIND OF VEHICLE. DEALER CLAIMS MAINTENANCE ITEM. NEVER HAD TO HAVE ROTOR REPLACED ON NEW VEHICLE BEFORE. BRAKE PADS WE FINE. VEHICLE ABOUT 4OMPH WOULD PULSATE WHILE BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. *KB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10425601 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10461307 · 2012-06-12 (June 12, 2012)

2 THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. AT A NORMAL IDLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE HAS SURGES (A QUICK HIGH REV) THEN ONCE THE REV STOPS THE TRUCK ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. IN ANOTHER CASE, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK HAS A ROUGH IDLE THAT CAUSES THE TRUCK TO SHAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD COST ALOT OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461307 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10296600 · 2009-12-21 (December 21, 2009)

TL* 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 SUS…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296600 at NHTSA ↗