Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
HVAC mode door inoperative causing defroster to not operate and only allowing air out of dash vents causing safety issue when windshield is fogged up due to dew or humidity from rain causing loss of visibility. Mode door broken which involves pulling dashboard and evacuating A/C system at a very significant cost. Have read and heard of many complaint due to broken doors in HVAC system on these vehicles. During early morning hours with dew and during operating vehicle in inclement weather this causes a very serious safety issue. FCA should cover this as it is an unsafe and poor design causing risk to operator and other drivers on the roadways.
80 mile drive home in rain and windshield wipers stop working! Truck has 40,000 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Intermittent wiper stops, starts, runs at different paces. Completely scary to be on the highway at 60 MPH and can't see the road. Very dangerous! The company should replace this at no cost. Apparently they have issues with this because it's been recalled, but my VIN wasn't a part of the recall. How can that be? A known issue, but won't take care of a loyal customer with a safety issue that needs to be repaired or the safety of using the vehicle is limited by weather conditions. What if I had an accident and I had been killed on the highway because my wipers didn't work and the company new it was an issue and wouldn't fix it? Very disappointed by this problem and the company's lack of responsibility to fix it. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags) and was waiting for months to receive the part from the dealer. While driving various speeds, the driver side tie rod fractured and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was also experiencing a failure in which the front glass had poor visibility. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V529000 (steering), 13V528000 (steering), 11V350000 (steering), and 07e104000 (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 2/4/16 updated 03/18/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were inoperable and stopped midway on the windshield. The contact stated that the high speed settings worked perfectly fine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Athens Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (4145 atlanta hwy, athens, ga 30606, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 09V084000 (visibility). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle windshield wipers failed to operate without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
The entire front end of my truck has been going out. Tie rods, sway bar end links, cv axles, upper and lower ball joints. My back glass isn't sealed properly and pours water in the cab when it rains drenching my passengers or whatever I am carrying in the backseat, the water pools up under the seats and I routinely have to mask the smell from it
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 40 MPH, the windshield wipers seized without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V084000 (visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
The wipers motor speed fluctuates when moving the steering column up or down. Sometimes the wipers won't go to 'high speed' until the steering column is moved around. It happens regardless if it is moving down the road or not.
I got the recall notices for the windshield wiper motor back in 2011 and had it replaced even though I had no issue with that motor. The new motor module assemblies had complete loss of the windshield wiper capability (a year after I had the motor replaced). I was driving that day in austin,tx with my one year old baby girl. It was pouring down heavy rain when the wipers complete just stopped out of the blue. I had to immediately pull over and wait for the rain to stop because I had no advisable what so ever. ( which could result in a crash! ) I immediately took the 08 Dodge Ram to a Chrysler dealership and told them to replace it for me. They told me that I already had it done. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact has experienced issues with the vehicle ever since it was purchased. The headlights failed to produce the proper lighting to see at a distance. She purchased new bulbs that were installed at the dealer. In addition, the windshield wiper blade froze to the windshield and the vehicle would "jump" uncontrollably. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and stated that the contact needed more experience driving the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the tires could cause the vehicle to "jump". The mechanic further stated that the ABS was located only in the rear of the vehicle; therefore, the stopping distance will increase. She informed the dealer of the mechanic's diagnosis and was advised to drive the vehicle a little longer to allow the suspension to loosen. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 5% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.