Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning left at a traffic signal, while straightening the steering wheel and lightly depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated abruptly. The contact stated that the rear tires made an abnormal squealing noise and he observed smoke in the rear-view mirror. The contact stated that the vehicle then spun 180 degrees to the right. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left to compensate and the vehicle spun 180 degrees to the left. The contact used the steering wheel to regain control of the vehicle and took his foot off the accelerator pedal and did not use the brake pedal to correct the vehicle. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights. The contact then drove to his residence. …
On 1/19/17 I made a 7 mile round trip drive, returned to our house and parked on the street. About 10 minutes later after making my lunch I opened facebook to see a notification that a truck was on fire on my street. I walked out my front door to see what was going on only to find the leander fire department putting out the fire involving my Dodge Ram. The assistant fire chief believes it started by the master cylinder.
I was driving vehicle and out no where the vehicle started shaking engine turn off with no warning lights or check engine light come one brakes where hard to apply and steering was hard was able to coast vehicle to gas station and call my husband. He met me there and engine was smoking white smoke. My husband try to start vehicle but it would not come one. We tow the vehicle to the house and call warranty. The advise us to take vehicle to mark Dodge in lake charles louisiana, there we spoke to service advisor sam morrison. At this point we left vehicle there for repairs to be done, they replace the engine provided by the warranty company/ lkq. The vehicle spend a total of 28 days for this repair. …
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 worse. After I made it to the shoulder of the road and calmed my nerves, I did damage assessment and discovered that my truck had shifted itself into four wheel low at 70 MPH. I limped my truck home, stuck in four wheel low, called a tow truck and took it to my Dodge dealer. Almost two years later and numerous trips back to various dealerships to get this warranty work fixed, and out thousands of dollars the problem has never been fixed and Chrysler considers the case closed. …
For several months, while driving the truck, it would try and go into 4w drive low. We changed the actuator and it seemed to work for about a week. Then problems became worse. Again it would go into 4w drive low while driving. But also when we stopped at intersections it would move at all. We would shut the truck off then it would go. We would hear a whining sound after the truck was shut off about 30 minutes coming under the truck. The end of July we had to change the fuel pump. Then we had to change the radiator and thermostat. We had it at 3 different mechanics before finding the problem of it going into 4w drive low. It was the timp and the transfer case. We have had to replace the actuator 3 times.
I have reported this same problem numerous times before. The engine just quits on the highway with a loss of steering and braking. It seems to happen after refueling and a strong odor of fuel is noticed. This happened within 2 or 3 minutes after refueling and while approaching interstate 35 in waco, tx, on 11/30/2018. An inquiry was made to the local dealership who said they were unaware of the problem and that no complaints have been filed with them. In reviewing other consumer websites that is not true, there are numerous complaints about this same problem and it is definitely a critical safety issue. It is time for the government to investigate this issue before someone is killed or seriously injured.
Truck has had multiple incidents of stalling and shutting off with no advance warning or notice. I come to a stop or turn and the engine shuts off. Power steering is lost and even though it starts right back up when put on neutral it has started to worry me to the point where I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle for fear this May happen on the highway. I've had throttle work done and wires replaced but it continues to do the same thing and no codes appear as to what May be causing this problem. The dealer also cannot tell me the reason why this is happening.
Traveling approx 35 MPH when engine suddenly just stopped running. No warning symptoms. Had to coast acoss 3 lanes of traffic to get off the road no power steering and on coming traffic, with 3 young children in the back seat. Timing chain tension "came apart" derailing timing chain. Catastrophic engine damage. Word is this is known to happen on the Dodge 5.7 Hemi engines. 2008 with 90K miles. Seems this should be manufactures responsibility. Help me please.
After filling up with fuel on serval different occasions the truck will shut off with no warning lights or service lights. This causes the power steering and everything to stop. When at a stop sign it can be started safely from park or neutral but when moving it has to be put in neutral to re start because the brake system does not work good either. It has happened at stop sign and stop light as well as driving down the road at 55 MPH
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 35 to 40 MPH, when the vehicle veered left or right, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and the RPM level decreased. The engine felt as if it would seize. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the Dodge dealer and was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Engine complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 8% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.