2008 DODGE RAM 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
221
Owner Complaints
11
Recalls
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500
The 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 has received a total of 221 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 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. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (86 complaints), Air Bags (18 complaints), and Electrical System (16 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500, potentially affecting up to 10,091,145 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...
View full details →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,...
View full details →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.
View full details →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...
View full details →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...
View full details →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.
View full details →Recall 09V434000 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
| 53 vehicles affected
Defect: E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHEVROLET W5500, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 DODGE 3500, MODEL YEAR 2009 MIGHTY MOVER, MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 FORD E-250, E-350 AND E-450, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 GMC W4500, MODEL YEAR 2007 INTERNATIONAL 4300, MODEL YEAR 2009 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER...
Consequence: THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR...
View full details →Recall 09V005000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
| 32,782 vehicles affected
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,782 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE. THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. ALSO THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING THE BRACKET MAY YIELD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT...
View full details →Recall 08V641000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
| 108,429 vehicles affected
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 108,429 MY 2007-2008 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINES. A SILENCER PAD CAN SAG AND CONTACT THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BRACKET TO SUPPORT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SILENCER PAD ADJACENT TO THE EGR COOLER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 08V344000 — TRAILER HITCHES
| 108 vehicles affected
Defect: KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED...
View full details →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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500
221 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 in November of 2023. The vehicle was purchased from the dealer, Louies Auto Sales (1514 E Main St, US Hwy 441, Leesburg, FL 34748). The contact stated when the vehicle was purchased the odometer indicated the mileage was 217,000. The contact attempted to sell the vehicle and the service document indicated that in 2011, the odometer reading was 338,221. The selling dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the dealer was no longer in business.
.The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse in the driveway, the steering wheel made an abnormal cracking sound and became significantly loosened. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the tie rod had fractured. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V529000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,020. The VIN was not available.
There seems to be a problem with the wiring harness in the steering column. Lights in the dash flash. You can turn the vehicle off and restart and it will stop. Sometimes the lights will start flashing again and sometimes not.
POWER LOSS OCCURS AT ANYTIME. ALL THE TIME. TRUCK SLOWS DOWN TO IDLE SPEED. REALLY BAD WHEN DOING 70 ON THE INTERSTATE. MUST SHUT ENGINE OFF, PRESS ACCELERATOR SLOWLY FOR 5 TIMES THEN RESTART ENGINE. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROLLER HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES NOW. THEY ALL FAILED AGAIN BETWEEN 7 AND 40 MILES. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED.
POWER LOSS OCCURS AT ANYTIME. ALL THE TIME. TRUCK SLOWS DOWN TO IDLE SPEED. REALLY BAD WHEN DOING 70 ON THE INTERSTATE. MUST SHUT ENGINE OFF, PRESS ACCELERATOR SLOWLY FOR 5 TIMES THEN RESTART ENGINE. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROLLER HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES NOW. THEY ALL FAILED AGAIN BETWEEN 7 AND 40 MILES. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED.
Safety Rating for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
H-31 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
DODGE SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. AN INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL WAS INADVERTENTLY INSTALLED ON ABOUT 60 OF THE TRUCK CAB AND CHASSIS. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE
H-31 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
DODGE SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. AN INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL WAS INADVERTENTLY INSTALLED ON ABOUT 60 OF THE TRUCK CAB AND CHASSIS. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE
11-001-08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TURBOCHARGER CLEANING PROCEDURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE SOOT ACCUMULATION FOR 2007-2008 (DH/D1) RAM TRUCK (2500/3500). *PE
08-036 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
2008 (DH/D1/DC/DM) - INJECTION PUMP FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR. *NJ
37 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
AN INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL WAS INADVERTENTLY INSTALLED ON ABOUT 1600 DODGE VEHICLES. *NJ
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 DODGE RAM 3500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 3500
- 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 — 330 complaints
- 2004 DODGE RAM 3500 — 272 complaints
- 2005 DODGE RAM 3500 — 240 complaints
- 2006 DODGE RAM 3500 — 349 complaints
- 2007 DODGE RAM 3500 — 284 complaints
- 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 (current)
- 2009 DODGE RAM 3500 — 130 complaints
- 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 — 292 complaints
- 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 — 498 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints