2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 1500 years
- About as many complaints as other years 11th of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500. That ranks 11th out of 19 RAM 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (165 complaints, 30%), typically at around 69,000 miles. Complaints mention 40 crashes, 6 fires, 37 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 554owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 40complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 165 | 30% | 69,000 | “takata air bags” (23%) | — |
| Steering problems | 103 | 19% | 57,000 | “tie rod” (35%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 73 | 13% | 84,459 | “rear differential” (16%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 52 | 9% | 43,000 | “turn signal” (10%) | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 50 | 9% | 89,000 | “fuel tank” (24%) | — |
| Suspension | 49 | 9% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 35 | 6% | 79,730 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 27 | 5% | 81,500 | — | — |
| Wheels | 19 | 3% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 18 | 3% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 3% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 14 | 3% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 | 2% | 8,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 2% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 12 | 2% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 11 | 2% | 92,556 | — | — |
| Tires | 11 | 2% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 | 2% | 15,250 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 1% | 56,050 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 1% | 90,486 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 1% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
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.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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.
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. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: 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.
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.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: 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.
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, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529 (AQ14003) — opened Oct 20, 2014, closed May 16, 2016.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The recall cannot be completed because the parts are unavailable. We have contacted the service department in the dealership a number of times. They told us the parts are not available and cannot give us a date to repair it. They referred us to Chrysler's main headquarters and no body there has an…
Vehicle diagnosed September 5, 2025 with failed front driver-side CV axle. Covered under factory lifetime powertrain warranty. Manufacturer (Stellantis) has been unable to supply replacement part for over seven months due to âtooling issueâ and no ETA. Vehicle continues to operate with…
I have been trying for over two years to have my local dodge dealership process the recall for my takata airbags (sandy sansing dodge in milton fl). Every attempt is either met with being disconnected from the call or being told I will be called back, and it never happens. I havr also attempted to…
Was driving home going 35 the rear end spider gears decided to lock up completely cause loss of control of my vehicle
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…
Other Dodge RAM 1500 years
← 2007 RAM 1500 · 2009 RAM 1500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 RAM 1500 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 698 | 6 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 689 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 487 | 4 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 670 | 2 |
| 2008 | 554 | 5 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 517 | 4 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 792 | 9 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 1,170 | 4 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 1,099 | 5 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 1,171 | 1 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 815 | 3 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 1,112 | 2 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 513 | 2 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 610 | 0 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 520 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 361 | 0 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 298 | 0 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 213 | 0 |
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners most often report air bags, steering, power train problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 165 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 1500 model years, the 2008 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.