Most common 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Share of the 554 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 1500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 1500 years: 1997, 2005, 1998. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
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…
What 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 owners say
Air bags all 165 →
On 22 Jan 2022, airbags failed to deploy during a head on collision. Collision occurred after losing control on black ice. While driving 55 mph along a straight and level section of a single lane highway, truck spun into on-coming traffic. The driver and passenger experienced whiplash, multiple bruises from the seat belt, and the driver broke both ankles and sternum, and needed stitches from a gash above the eye. Truck received airbag recall work at a local dealership in 2016. Insurance has declared the damages to the vehicle a total loss. Owner has signed a release of the vehicle to auto insurance. Not sure if claims adjuster or insurance company is investigating airbag failure. Looks like others have experienced this same problem.
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 answer to when these parts will be available either. This mandate was never made public, the only way we found out was when we went to have the vehicle inspected. Meanwhile it cannot be driven or inspected.
Steering all 103 →
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.
We purchased this vehichle and the steering wheel has a slit through it like its been deployed i would like to make sure it is safe also the side passenger seat the front seems like something is pocking you through the seat like it is not supposed to be there also the whole steering system seems off and not safe . I would like it to be noted and a recall should be made before injury to anyone.
Transmission & drivetrain all 73 →
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. …
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 "tooling issue" and no ETA. Vehicle continues to operate with worsening vibration and noise from front axle. Concerned about potential driveline failure while driving. Warranty repair delay exceeds reasonable timeframe for safety-related component.
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 a good car?
Based on 554 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Ram 1500 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram 1500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
The air bags — 165 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the steering (103) and transmission & drivetrain (73).
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, the most recent from May 24, 2016 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997, 2005 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full Dodge Ram 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.