2008 Dodge Ram 3500 problems
NHTSA has received 221 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, and 43% of them involve steering. Next are engine (11%) and suspension (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 221 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 43% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 21
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 68,000 miles 156 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 27 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 17 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 26 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 18 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 20 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 9 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 10 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 11 |
What the data shows
Of the 156 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 68,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 65,000 miles (54 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 13 complaints mention a crash; 21 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 20 model years of the Dodge Ram 3500 with enough data (118 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 9 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While driving 60 MPH, the contact was informed by other motorists that his vehicle was on fire. He then noticed flames in the cabin and the bed, in addition to the fuel tank. He pulled over and called the fire department. The highway patrol also arrived at the scene. The vehicle left a trail of fire on the highway due to the fuel leak. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard.
A car turned into our path which made the front end of that car hit the front end of our truck on the driver side of the front end. Causing the frame to bend in two places, bending the steering wheel. Seat belts were on. The air bags never came out. Bought this truck new. Fan blade and front had to be replaced front diff hit engine oil pan, pan replaced left motor mount broken front diff sup arm replaced frame was replaced not repaired.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While stopped, the contact's vehicle was struck head on by another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact and front seat passenger sustained injuries to the head, concussions, and lacerations to the face that required medical attention. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags). The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent salvage facility. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when suddenly, there was smoke near the hood. The contact drove the vehicle onto the emergency lane and attempted to extinguish the fire. The fire department arrived and was unable to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed. There were no personal injuries. The contact stated that the failure was related to the emission control system.
Between the speeds of 50/75 hitting bumps separation of road & bridges will trigger the death wobble I been dealing with this issue for almost 6 yrs I've installed new track bar,inner & outer tie rods last mont keeping the tires rotated & balance almost got rearend by 18 wheeler had to slm on brakes lock em down to stop this brutal shake very irritating dealing with this at several times it will shake into the other lane almost causing wreaks please help thanks [xxx].