MYRModel Year Report

2008 Dodge RAM 3500

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Dodge RAM 3500
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:07:32.623Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
173
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2008 173 2009: 105 complaints 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2012: 365 complaints 2012
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2005 2006: 257 complaints 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2008 173 2009: 105 complaints 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1996 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2004 2005: 196 complaints 2005 2006: 257 complaints 2006 2007: 210 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2008 173 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2010 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints 2012

2008: 173 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19914
199210
199320
199470
1995108
1996124
1997125
1998105
1999104
200058
2001130
200244
2003286
2004214
2005196
2006257
2007210
2008173
2009105
2010150
2011225
2012365

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

55% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and rack and pinion.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Owner of 2008 Dodge 3500 dually was driving down road when fuse box caught fire. Windshield wipers started continuously squirting and smoke came out from underneath hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-07

Also filed under Electrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Dodge RAM 3500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the track bar failed in the steering column. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into two trees.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-05-15

Also filed under Air bags

.The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse in the driveway, the steering wheel made an abnormal cracking sound and became significantly loosened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-25

Suspension

13% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH

Air bags

10% · 18 reports
CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

10% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Driving down my street. The engine shut off and windshield washer function turned on. I pulled over and tried cycling my key to restart the truck. Then with the key in off position smelled something burning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-25

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 in November of 2023. The vehicle was purchased from the dealer, Louies Auto Sales (1514 E Main St, US Hwy 441, Leesburg, FL 34748).

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-06-17

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing exhaust system and emission control.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Dodge RAM 3500. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle's computer activates to clean the exhaust system, which results in a loss of engine power.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-03-11

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 173 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-08-15Trailer hitches08V344000 Knapheide is recalling 108 my 2006-2008 pro series truck beds equipped with an icc bumper which included a provision for a ball hitch. There may be an insufficient weld attaching the hitch channel…

    Remedy: Knapheide will offer two remedies to its customers: (1) for those customers who do not use the hitch, the hitch will be removed from the truck bed and replaced with an icc bumper; or (2) for those…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-01-26Engine and engine cooling08V641000 Chrysler is recalling 108,429 my 2007-2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A silencer pad can sag and contact the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler.

    Remedy: Dealers will add a bracket to support the engine compartment silencer pad adjacent to the EGR cooler. The recall is expected to begin during December 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-02-16Steering09V005000 Chrysler is recalling 32,782 my 2008-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks equipped with powers and sons steering linkage. The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before February…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-12-31Equipment09V434000 E-n-g mobile system is recalling certain model year 2008 Chevrolet W5500, model year 2007-2009 Dodge 3500, model year 2009 mighty mover, model year 2006-2009 Ford e-250, e-350 and e-450, model…

    Remedy: E-n-g mobile system will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired by carrier free of charge. Please see carrier's defect report 09E-053. The safety recall is expected to begin during…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2010-05-24Steering10E013000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2011-04-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-02-06 Outer Tie Rod Failure
  9. R
    2011-10-03Steering11V350000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2014-01-16Steering13V529000 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.…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-01-17Steering13V528000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2014-10-20Audit queryClosed 2016-05-16 Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
  13. R
    2015-06-08Air bags15V313000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Dodge RAM 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 95 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 08V344000 · Trailer hitches
  • Recall 08V641000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09V005000 · Steering
  • Recall 09V434000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V350000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V529000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V528000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.