2008 DODGE RAM 1500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

718

Owner Complaints

48 Crashes 9 Fires

8

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

4

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500

The 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 has received a total of 718 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (162 complaints), Steering (96 complaints), and Power Train (62 complaints).

Recalls for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500

NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500, potentially affecting up to 9,984,377 vehicles.

Recall 16V352000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 4,648,270 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Recall 15V313000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 4,077,169 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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,...

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Recall 13V528000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

| 706,664 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 13V529000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

| 271,733 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 11V350000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

| 242,780 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Recall 10E040000 — WHEELS:HUB

| 34,604 vehicles affected

Defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK...

Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

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Recall 10E013000 — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

| 1,500 vehicles affected

Defect: FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.

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Recall 07E104000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

| 1,657 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE...

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Owner Complaints for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500

718 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Air Bags
Complaints: 162 22 Crashes 26 Injuries
Steering
Complaints: 96 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Train
Complaints: 62 1 Crash
Electrical System
Complaints: 51 1 Crash 5 Fires 1 Injury
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 50
Suspension
Complaints: 38 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 35
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 27 2 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Injury
Wheels
Complaints: 19 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Service Brakes
Complaints: 18 5 Crashes
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 15
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 14
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 13 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 11 3 Crashes
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 10
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 10
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Structurebody
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Tires
Complaints: 8 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Seat Belts
Complaints: 7 3 Crashes 3 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 6
Visibility
Complaints: 6
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 5
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 3
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 2
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 2
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Seats
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Structure
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Suspensionfronthub
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontshock Absorber
Complaints: 1
Tiresvalve
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11707309 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
Was driving home going 35 the rear end spider gears decided to lock up completely cause loss of control of my vehicle
#11701693 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
My rear driveline separated from the rear differential causing the rear differential to seize up. It is available for inspection. This occurred while driving down a highway at 45 MPH, there was some humming noise then it shook for a second and then load pop sound and send me fish tailing down the highway and then sliding sideways being stuck blocking the lane of traffic. I just contacted the dealership, and they cannot look at it under a recall situation because my vin is not listed on the preexisting recall. I was told to contact the manufacturer directly. As of today 11/26/25, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps or messages. Symptoms were only morning of the incident 11/24/25 after leaving my house halfway down the road approximately half a mile I started to hear a slight humming came to a stop sign didn't hear anything drove forward a block and a half to a stop light did not hear any humming in that time, as I took a right to head north on highway 9 I noticed the humming again and right as I was trying to pull off on the shoulder I hear a loud pop sound and temporarily lose control of the truck fish tailing I was able to get it back under control enough to steer a little and come sliding sideways to a stop stuck halfway on the shoulder and halfway into the oncoming traffic lane.
#11701693 | SUSPENSION | | N/A miles
My rear driveline separated from the rear differential causing the rear differential to seize up. It is available for inspection. This occurred while driving down a highway at 45 MPH, there was some humming noise then it shook for a second and then load pop sound and send me fish tailing down the highway and then sliding sideways being stuck blocking the lane of traffic. I just contacted the dealership, and they cannot look at it under a recall situation because my vin is not listed on the preexisting recall. I was told to contact the manufacturer directly. As of today 11/26/25, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps or messages. Symptoms were only morning of the incident 11/24/25 after leaving my house halfway down the road approximately half a mile I started to hear a slight humming came to a stop sign didn't hear anything drove forward a block and a half to a stop light did not hear any humming in that time, as I took a right to head north on highway 9 I noticed the humming again and right as I was trying to pull off on the shoulder I hear a loud pop sound and temporarily lose control of the truck fish tailing I was able to get it back under control enough to steer a little and come sliding sideways to a stop stuck halfway on the shoulder and halfway into the oncoming traffic lane.
#11701693 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
My rear driveline separated from the rear differential causing the rear differential to seize up. It is available for inspection. This occurred while driving down a highway at 45 MPH, there was some humming noise then it shook for a second and then load pop sound and send me fish tailing down the highway and then sliding sideways being stuck blocking the lane of traffic. I just contacted the dealership, and they cannot look at it under a recall situation because my vin is not listed on the preexisting recall. I was told to contact the manufacturer directly. As of today 11/26/25, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps or messages. Symptoms were only morning of the incident 11/24/25 after leaving my house halfway down the road approximately half a mile I started to hear a slight humming came to a stop sign didn't hear anything drove forward a block and a half to a stop light did not hear any humming in that time, as I took a right to head north on highway 9 I noticed the humming again and right as I was trying to pull off on the shoulder I hear a loud pop sound and temporarily lose control of the truck fish tailing I was able to get it back under control enough to steer a little and come sliding sideways to a stop stuck halfway on the shoulder and halfway into the oncoming traffic lane.
#11664998 | STEERING | | 222,700 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle was severely shaking and vibrating. The contact replaced the struts and tie rods; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel felt extremely loose, and the vehicle was pulling to one side. The contact also experienced the "Death Wobble" on several occasions while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 222,700.

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Safety Rating for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

9001764 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Noise coming from the rear HVAC blower due to interference.

08-052-16 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT: Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative SYMPTOM/CONDITION: The customer may describe the following conditions: · A complete loss of UConnect operation. · A complete loss of Voice Recognition functionality

08-052-16 — EQUIPMENT

Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands Free Module (HFM). The customer may describe the following conditions: · A complete loss of UConnect operation. · A complete loss of Voice Recognition functionality

RRT-08-097 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

CHRYSLER:DODGE: APPROXIMATELY 2969 VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, MAY HAVE BEEN SHIPPED WITH A GEARSHIFT CABLE THAT MAY SLIP OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND NOT ALLOW LOW GEAR SELECTION. *PE

NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 DODGE RAM 1500

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 1500

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Other DODGE Models

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