2008 Dodge RAM: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 25 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 28.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10268181 · 2009-05-08 (May 8, 2009)
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK- THE DASHBOARD IS REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND IMPAIRS VISION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SUNNY AND MAKES IT HARD TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD FOUR OTHER TRUCKS OF THE EXACT SAME SIZE ETC. BUT NEVER HAD A VISION PROBLEM FROM THE DASHBOARD BEING SUPERIMPOSED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269606 · 2009-05-21 (May 21, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND LIGHTING WILL FLICKER AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO START. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS NOTICED AT 25 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285006 · 2009-09-23 (September 23, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE BREAK PEDAL AT 55 MPH, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED. BREAK FAILURE CAN LEAD TO INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, WHICH CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295357 · 2009-12-11 (December 11, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE HEARD RATTLING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FRONT STABILIZER END LINKS AND THE SHOCK BRACKETS WERE REPLACED. ALSO THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E001000 (STEERING;LINKAGES). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURREN…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295357 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 ↗
Owner report 10299645 · 2010-01-13 (January 13, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK. HE STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, HE ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO AVOID HITTING AN APPROACHING VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER ALONG THE HIGHWAY HEAD-ON. LATER, HE RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E001000, STEERING LINKAGES; HOWEVER WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299645 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V084000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Reported: 2009-03-13 (March 13, 2009)
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 65,896 MY 2008-2009 LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence: WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V657000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Reported: 2010-12-24 (December 24, 2010)
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.
Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗