Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a clunking noise. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to slow down and the rear wheels seized. As a result, the vehicle spun, left the roadway, and landed in a ditch. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. An inspector from the contact's insurance company diagnosed that the rear axle pinion nut had detached from the drive shaft, causing the failure. A dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V474000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and descending down a hill a loud banging noise was heard and the rear wheels suddenly locked up causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle crashing into a ditch. During the crash no injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the pinion nut had failed. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Vehicle Dodge Ram 1500 laramie crew cab at approximately, 10:30 pm edt, while drive at approximately 60 MPH with limited traffic but a car immediately behind my in the right lane, there was a loud bang followed by a loss of control of my vehicle. I was accompanied by wife and 2 children (ages 11,15). Rear of vehicle was lifted off the ground followed by a strong pull into the right lane. Other car slowed and swerved to avoid my vehicle. Any acceleration was not possible. Attempted to safely decelerate the vehicle. Brakes were not performing as typically expected. A few more load thumps (2-3) occurred. Looked out the passenger side mirror and saw sparks flying behind vehicle. Didn't realize it at the time but the drive shaft completely disconnected with my vehicle and was sent bouncing through traffic. Approximately, 3-5 cars initially avoided it. …
I was traveling at 70 MPH in the center lane of very heavy freeway traffic when my trucks 4-wheel low light came on and started to flash and immediately after, my truck shook violently and made a loud crunching grinding noise and within seconds my truck had slowed down to 30 MPH. I thought I had been rear ended by another vehicle. Now in a panicked state of mind not knowing what had just happened, I somehow without causing an accident, got my truck across the lanes off traffic and off to the shoulder of the road. My truck was now stuck in 4 wheel low. I had to drive around 10 miles home with the truck in this condition, driving on the shoulder of the road with my flashers on. I had my truck towed to my Dodge dealer. The dealer confirmed the truck malfunctioned causing it to shift into 4 wheel low. …
I just purchased this vehicle and within a week the key wouldn't go into the ignition and once in wouldn't come back out. The vehicle shuts off randomly locking the power steering and brakes. My right turn signal now doesn't go off and when I try to put it off my self the left turn signal activates! This went on back and forth a good eight times before both shut off. My front headlights (mostly right but cannot really see the left while driving) the lights shakes and bounces when I go over anything uneven. Upon coming to a sudden stop the truck pulled hard to the right causing me to swerve into the grass. This vehicle just doesn't drive right. The whole front end seems loose. I cannot drive over 50 or the rear end comes off the ground when I brake to make my turn. I'm taking it to the dealer this evening. My dealer 30 day warranty expires tomorrow. …
This vehicle has given me many problems and most recently very dangerous ones. A few months ago on my way to work around 4 am the drive shaft broke off and flew out at 75 MPH. Luckily there wasn't much traffic during that time and the back part of the drive shaft is the one that broke off not the front so the truck didn't flip over. The truck has been repaired since then. Now a few days ago my pregnant wife was driving the truck and it turned off on her in the middle of an intersection while I was working out of town. On my return I found the electric throttle control light on at the dashboard. In doing some research I found that this is typically in relation to a bad fuel pump relay. I found this to be more than common on many Dodge vehicles and obviously a very dangerous problem to have. The fuel pump relay on my vehicle seems to be integrated into the TIPM and not serviceable. …
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. …
On 2/19/2015, I was driving my 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 slt at approx 40mph when loud bang came from the rear of the truck, the truck lurches sideways and proceeded to come to a grinding halt. The truck would not move in either drive or reverse. I then had the truck towed back to the dealer since it could not be driven. Upon inspection by the dealership, it showed that the pinion gears were destroyed and all of the metal shavings cause the rest of the failure of the rear. The result was the entire rear needed to be rebuilt. It is very disheartening since Chrysler acknowledged the same issue and recall the following model year of my truck (2009) if this catastrophic failure of the rear had happened while on the highway or in higher volume traffic, the safety results could have much worse or dire. …
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 13% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.