Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 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.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering veered to the right independently. The contact crashed into a ditch, but the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained nose and head injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle sustained extensive front end damage. A police report was filed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a suspension fracture and the vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags), but the failure previously occurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Dodge Ram 2008 quad cab 1500 series. At the time I called into Dodge I had roughly 60 thousand miles on my truck. I contacted Dodge in 2014 and they told me although that was the model and series that was part of a recall that my particular VIN was not eligible for a recall . The problems I had endured were swaying of the truck almost to the extent where the tire felt like it was wobbling and the truck shaking when I excellerated over 50 mphs . It was at that time when I took a road trip for memorial day weekend 2014 when this started getting progressively worse and I pretty much had to drive 40 miles an hour the i75 freeway because the car felt like it was going to flip over when I was excellerating. It was right there after that I contacted Dodge to make a complaint and they told me although I had the year and make of the Ram but my particular VIN was not eligible for any recall. …
While driving on the parkway I suddenly lost control of the steering. Thankfully I was able to safely maneuver the truck to the side of the road, with the help of a good samaritan and my evasive maneuver course required by my job, before anything tragic happened. I had the truck towed to the dealer where they confirmed my suspicion of a broken tie rod, specifically the left tie rod which has been recalled on every 2008 Ram except my 1500. I find this very suspect that all the other rams have been recalled and fixed except my model, yet I had to pay for the repair. I am grateful that I did not get hurt, or cause an accident and injure anyone else, however this issue needs to be looked in further by the government. All of these trucks are unsafe to drive until they are fixed. According to my normal mechanic, this can happen at anytime due to the defective tie rod. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving highway speeds, the front passenger wheel completely fractured from the axle. A police report was filed, but no crash occurred. The driver sustained whiplash due to the tire failure. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer provided a case number and stated that they would provide a follow-up response to investigate the cause of the wheel fracture. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10e040000 (wheels) and was uncertain if the failure was related to manufacturer recall number: g02 (front wheel bearings). The contact was waiting on a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available. ... Consumer stated the front passenger tire came off the truck without warning, without any warning lights. Photos attached.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at 35-45 MPH, there was an abnormal winding noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact checked under the vehicle for play in the drive train. Additionally while driving 25 MPH, the winding noise increased and there was an abnormal banging noise and the drive shaft separated from the rear end and was on the ground. There was oil leaking and the pinion was jammed. The vehicle was towed to key Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram - tobey auto group 2020 n detroit st, xenia, oh 45385 [phone] where it was diagnosed that the rear end and drive shaft needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 102,010.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal noise emerging from the front driver side of the vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal then the vehicle started shaking and the noise became severe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bolt joint and tie rod needed replacement. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the diagnosis results from the dealer were confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred on five occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn. The contact had to drive the vehicle slower because the steering wheel failed to respond on multiple occasions. The contact also noticed when the brakes were depressed, the rear suspension seemed loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for alignment. The technician diagnosed that the suspension was loose, the steering needed to be aligned and the rear shocks were leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
It first started as severe shaking whenever I hit a bump, especially on an curve. The truck would hop and shake and become uncontrollable until I slowed. This still happens but now I also get an uncontrollable wobble whenever I drive at highway speed and there is any kind of incline or bend in the road. Only fix is to slow down significantly.. It's dangerous! I've become trained to deal with it but it's certainly unsafe and I always worry that it will happen on a slick road and I won't be able to hold it on the road. I've replaced tires, aligned, balanced, road force balanced and nothing fixes it!
Suspension complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the suspension of the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 9% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is front (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.