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 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
There is a recall on the tie rod. The vehicle was taken to a Chrysler dealership in kissimme fl in 2014 on two different occasions. We were told by the dealership both times that the tie rod was not bad and they would not change it out. On 2/21/15, I was driving approximately 10 MPH when the tie rod fractured and I lost complete steering and was shot left of center. Fortunately, there was no oncoming traffic and I was able to pull off the side of the road without crashing into anything or anyone. I was less than 1/4 mile from the main road, and I shutter to think what would have happened if I would have been on that 4 lane highway. This could have been prevented if the dealership would have done its job with the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a death wobble while driving and the front end shook violently. The contact had to depress the brake pedal with force to stop the vehicle and the steering wheel could not be controlled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The contact replaced the track bar himself and ordered a Dodge Ram bolt; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH steering failed causing the contact to crash into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The mechanic diagnosed that the steering gear ball joint needed to be replaced, and also an alignment and the frame had to be straightened. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving 20 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (power train) and 15V313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 150,000.
While driving at speeds on highway and interstate, when hitting a bump, hole, or uneven surface (usually exiting a brifge), the front end starts vibrating violently becoming difficult to control and does not stop until the vehicle is stopped. Each time this happens, the battery terminals come off. This has occurred four times since August of 2019, note, the vehicle was not driven in sept, oct, or nov.
Driving down road at 55mph road curved to the left and the front end started shaking so violently that the side pockets and the dash emptied onto the floor and didn't stop until I got down to approximately 20 MPH.
Vehicle was purchased in November 2010, and the so call "death wobble" was not noticed until April 2011. I had taken the vehicle into the dealership where purchased, they found nothing wrong with the front end, yet rotated the tires, re-aligned the front end and replaced a control arm. The Chevy dealership where the vehicle was purchased also contacted a Dodge dealer who denied any problems with the front end of these vehicle. The vehicle is driven little, and several times this month (December 2011) while driving on a major highway, while approaching a bridge doing 65 to 70 MPH., or where the pavement is rough the vehicle started this "death wobble", almost to the point there is no control. The driver can not gain full control of vehicle until the speed is reduced. …
Death wobble! I hit a pot hole or rough bump in the road and the suspension shakes so violently that I could hardly hold on to the steering wheel. All the items on the console went on to the floor, cleared the dash and center console. This was the first of 5 times I have had this happen. 3 times when coming off a bridge deck. All times the truck is at approximately 65mph. The only way to stop the violent shaking is to brake and bring the vehicle to a near stop. The problem with this is its always happened on the freeway where there are other vehicles all around. Very dangerous and scares the life out of me. I have replaced steering control link with tie rod ends. Stabilizer bar, added after market steering box stabilizer and done two alignments. All parts are like new there is only 55000 miles on the truck. There is definitely a design flaw with the suspension! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact had to decelerate in order to regain control. The contact moved the vehicle over and looked under the vehicle where she noticed that the front passenger side lower control arm was fractured. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that both control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that she needed to pay for the repair and they would refund her the money for the parts but not the labor costs. The failure mileage was 58,000. Updated 10/26/12 the consumer stated that after the failure recurred. The dealer found that the steering stabilizer had failed and replaced it at no charge. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 11/13/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the suspension was unstable in the front of the vehicle due to the steering. The steering assembly was loose and the steering wheel veered left and right, which prevented the driver from safely driving over 40 MPH. The contact was uncertain if a death wobble would occur. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering), but the remedy failed to provide a solution. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the failure continued. More than one independent mechanic provided diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was waiting to determine if the manufacturer could remedy the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Suspension complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 13% of the model year's 173 complaints. The component named most often is front (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, though it has 9 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 3500 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.