2008 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE 1500. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND THEN DECELERATED BACK TO NORMAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HOOK A BOAT UP TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING; THEREFORE, HE RAMMED THE SHIFTER INTO PARK TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON EACH OCCASION. THE DEALER STATED THEY W…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,112 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226787 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK AND PINION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THEIR LOT THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THEREFORE, THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER HAVING A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE HIM …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227614 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT FOUND SEVERAL DEFECTS WITH HER VEHICLE, SUCH AS SCRATCHES IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR, A PLUGGED TIRE, A HOLE DRILLED IN THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE HOOD IS OFF CENTER, THE FRAME AND INSULATION CAN BE SEEN FROM THE REAR WINDOW, AND THE MOLDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS MISSING. SHE STATED THAT ALL THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, EXCEPT THE DRILL HOLE AND THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT SHE WILL HAVE MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURES WITH HER VEHICLE AFTER A YEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE …

Owner-reported narrative. 71 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233009 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE AFTER 1000 MILES BEGAN TO HESITATE IN SHIFTING FROM LOW TO HIGH, (5 SPEED TRANSMISSION). HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITH ADDITIONAL MILES, ALSO, ENGINE WILL REVIVE UP TO 3500 RPMS WITHOUT FOOT ON GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS. DODGE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT SOLUTION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234707 at NHTSA ↗

ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE SHOCKS/SUSPENSION ROAD HANDLING ABILITY OF 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. TRUCK WOULD "JUMP" OR "SKIP" OVER POT HOLES, SEAMS IN ASPHALT/CEMENT TRANSITIONS AND OTHER AREAS. WHEN WET PAVEMENT WAS PRESENT, IT WOULD SKIP SIDEWAYS A BIT, AND ONETIME SPUN OUT. FRONT SHOCKS WERE BLOWN AT 12,000 MILES, BUT HANDLED VERY POORLY WHEN BOUGHT BRAND NEW LAST SEPTEMBER. DODGE DENIED ANY PROBLEMS, "THAT IS JUST HOW THEY RIDE" IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH SAME MODEL VEHICLE I PERSONALLY KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. NO AFTERMARKET SUPPORT…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235237 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT SHOCKS BOTH BLEW OUT LEAKING ALL OF THEIR FLUID OUT. RIDE BECAME VERY POOR. MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL AND REDESIGN THE FRONT SHOCKS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 11,989 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238876 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP TIRES, SIZE P235/65R17. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HANDLING POORLY DURING ALL TYPES OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TIRES JUST SKIDDED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO FEET AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND THE DRIVER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED SOME NECK BRUISING AND PAIN. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE TIRES ARE TO BLAME FOR THE CRASH, NOT THE BRAKES. …

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239193 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE BRAKED SLOWLY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWAYS TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS SHORTER THAN THE LEFT. AFTERWARDS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON MORE THAN THREE OCCASIONS. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE THIRD TIME, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE…

Owner-reported narrative. 36 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241443 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2011-07-06 (July 6, 2011)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.

Reported: 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.