2008 Dodge RAM 4500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10330766 · 2010-05-17 (May 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 4500. WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH IN REVERSE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330766 at NHTSA ↗
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 10578170 · 2014-04-08 (April 8, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V527000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REMEDY PART WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE FOR SIX MONTHS TO TWELVE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10578170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10578858 · 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V527000 (STEERING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE TOOL NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTICE YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10578858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628317 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE COMPANY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE COMPANY'S MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628321 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 2008 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE COMPANY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THEIR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628321 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V527000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. 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: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. 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 R16.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V313000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V352000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗