IllustrationSPEEDOMETER CLUSTER PANEL THE WARNING LIGHTS BLEED THROUGH WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO WARNED ABOUT. *TR
2008 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge RAM do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
3 reportsTL* 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, …
Read full complaint
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 SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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 FAI…
Read full complaint
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.
Official recalls
210V657000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
Dec 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 & remedy
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.
09V084000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Mar 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11009 · Outer Tie Rod Failure
Opened Apr 4, 2011 · Closed Feb 6, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.