2008 Dodge RAM recalls and problems

The 2008 Dodge RAM has 2 recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is steering.

How the 2008 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 11 RAM model years — 9th most.

2recalls

25complaints

4crashes

1fires

2injuries

25,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Steering

Dec 24, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V657000 · 15,271 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles. These vehicles May experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod resulting in the potential loss of steering.

Original NHTSA wording

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.

Risk: Loss of steering control of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Chrysler will notify owners and replace the left outer tie rod free of charge. The safety recall began on March 7, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Chrysler safety recall no. K28.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Visibility

Mar 13, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V084000 · 65,896 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler is recalling 65,896 my 2008-2009 light and heavy duty Dodge Ram pickup trucks. The windshield wiper module motor assembly May be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability.

Original NHTSA wording

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 65,896 MY 2008-2009 LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

Risk: When the wiper system fails, the operator will have reduced visibility which could result in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the wiper module assemblies with vented wiper motor housings free of charge. The safety recall began on August 17, 2009. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Chrysler recall no. J10.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Outer Tie Rod Failure

PE11009 · opened Apr 4, 2011 · closed Feb 6, 2012 · led to recall 11V350000

Summary

ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.

2008 vs. other Dodge RAM years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Dodge RAM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Dodge RAM, the latest from Dec 24, 2010 (steering). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention steering (6), engine (5), power train (4). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.