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2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, most often about the air bags (30% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is 10th of 14 Ram 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Air bags
165 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I took my truck in for an oil change and to have the air bag light that was coming on intermittently. After the diagnoses was done I was informed that the clock spring was broken. I asked what this spring controlled and was informed of a variety of things including the air bag system. I asked if the air bags would…
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear driver side door of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The…
Steering
103 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate and was very difficult to turn. The contact also stated that whenener stopped on an incline with the brakes engaged, the vehicle would surge forward. The vehicle was not taken to have…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While at a tire shop for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the drivers side outer tie rod end was fractured. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v350000 (steering:linkages:tie rod assembly) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer…
Transmission
73 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly.
I was driving in the middle lane of traffic at 70 MPH when my 4wl lite flashed,I heard a loud bang and my truck jerked violently, I thought I had been rear ended. My truck immediately slowed down to 30mph right after the loud noise. I then had to get across two lanes of speeding freeway traffic to avoid an accident or…
I was traveling at 70 MPH in the center lane of very heavy freeway traffic when my trucks 4-wheel low light came on and started to flash and immediately after, my truck shook violently and made a loud crunching grinding noise and within seconds my truck had slowed down to 30 MPH. I thought I had been rear ended by…
Fuel system
64 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.
Engine stalls under braking just after refueling vehicle, this problem continues until several gallons of fuel are used. Power steering and braking is lost due to engine stalling. This happens on any road surface at any speed. Engine will restart sometimes after several attempts.
After the fuel tank is filled, when slowing down or coming to a stop the vehicle will stall and die in traffic and is slow to restart. The dash shows a "check gauges" light, however there are no codes thrown. The dealer has said that the fuel tank needs to be replaced but if this is the case is seems that it is a…
Electrical
52 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while activating the left turn signal, the right turn signal activated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 41,000.
After I refuel, whether it's 10 gal. Or top it off, the truck will stall everytime as I drive just the first several miles(maybe as soon as 100 yards or up to 10-12 miles or so). It only happens when I come to a stop, like at a red light or at low speed making a turn. It always starts back up, not always easily…
Suspension
49 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
I have had this same problem on my Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 quad cab. Left tie rod stud/stablizer bar replaced june 2011, had to pay for alignment as well. Is the NHTSA looking into the same problems with the Ram 1500 models? When will the 1500 models be added for the same defect and be recalled? To be recalled are…
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 left front tie rod replacement. I had to have the tie rod and stablizer bar replaced due to a defect. Vehicle had only 52,000 miles driven.
Engine
43 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The engine randomly dies. At idle or driving, at all speeds. It starts right back up. I have had the truck worked on at 4 shops and two dealerships. I have spent over $10,000 string to get the problem fixed. It is a very dangerous situation. I have been trying to resolve this problem for 3 years.
Several times now after starting the truck and running it 10-15 minutes it just shuts off. Today on a very busy 4 lane road it happened and nearly caused a crash due to no power steering. Shops have checked it and it does not show in code errors.
Wheels and tires
27 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve.
Witness stated he saw right rear wheel detach from truck causing vehicle to spin out. And hit pole officer at the wreck site observed right rear axel damage.
While pulling my rv trailer, I noticed a growling noise and vibration coming from the front of my truck. The closer I got to home the noise got louder. Took to my mechanic and he had to replace left front wheel bearing hub, steering knuckle and alignment. It fixed the problems. Only 45594 miles. Cost $800.00. Is this…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 r
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 it on or about april 14, 2014. 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, je
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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 tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Chrysler's execution of 13v-528 & 529
Summary
Rmd opened this audit query (aq) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division mopar.prior to opening this investigation, rmd had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13v-528 and 13v-529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, fca?s heavier dodge ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.specifically, rmd inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on january 15, 2014 and february 19, 2014, d
Questions about the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (165 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); steering (103 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles); transmission (73 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 1500?
- It is 10th of 14 Ram 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 554 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.