2008 Dodge RAM 1500

● Typical for this model
2008 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1169 complaints 2003 2004: 1094 complaints 2005: 1165 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 553 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 687 complaints 2012: 694 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2008: 553 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011112
2002815
20031169
20041094
20051165
2006792
2007517
2008553
2009670
2010485
2011687
2012694
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 29%

29% of complaints: air bags — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A FIRE TRUCK BRAKED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120314

STEERING 17%

17% of complaints: steering — 96 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 63 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE AREA , ENGULFED BACK TO THE BOX WHOLE TRUCK DESTROYED! INSPECTOR NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED FIRE. TRUCK WAS TOTALED. STATIONARY FOR TWO HOURS AT WORK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171204

I BOUGHT A NEW 2008 DODGE PICK UP 1500, WITH A V-6 MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 5 MONTHS LATER, WITH 7000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 45 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENTATION FLICKERED, THEN QUIT AS WELL THE ENGINE QUIT, COASTED TO A STOP ON...

NHTSA ODI report, 20081203

2008 RAM 1500 4 door p/up truck. Factory radio/ . Noise coming from CD player when radio was playing . Saturday morning , radio off . Radio screen lights up like the inside of a bread toaster . Orange Lines appear on the screen.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231030

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 50 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20080115 — visibility

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100524 — steering

FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES.

Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTEC

Campaign 10E013000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100915 — wheels

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RA

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT

Campaign 10E040000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111003 — steering

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTUR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF C

Campaign 11V350000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140116 — steering

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. Th

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall rem

Campaign 13V529000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140117 — steering

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Meg

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

Campaign 13V528000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20141020 — AQ (closed 20160516)

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529

R 20150608 — air bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.

Campaign 15V313000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170327 — air bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.

Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (163 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (96 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (63 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E013000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E040000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V350000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V529000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V528000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V313000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V352000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1995 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2005 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.