2008 Dodge Ram 4500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 10 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering; the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Took vehicle into dealer for recall repair on front steering linkage- waited over 9 months for repair part to be available (during which time I was afraid to drive vehicle). Dealer replaced the part but indicated adjacent ball joint worn at 20,xxx miles. Claimed 2 previous recalls regarding front end had nothing to do with premature wear. Ball joint failure has damage tire. Vehicle is unsafe to drive. I have read many online forum reports of premature ball joint failure on same model vehicles.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2015
“Driver was turning the truck around in our lumberyard with a partial load on the bed and the left steering tie rod ball stud sheared off causing a serious problem with control of the vehicle he was going less than 5 mph. The original tie rod was replaced by dodge in may 2011 we were under the impression the part replaced solved the shearing or fracturing problem with the steering. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact was driving a 2008 dodge ram 4500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph the drivers side tie rod failed causing the steering wheel to become unstable. The company vehicle was repaired by their mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 59,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2014
Show 6 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 4500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph the drivers side tie rod failed causing the steering to become unstable. The company vehicle was repaired by the company's mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 59,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 4500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number 13v527000 (steering) and stated that the part was unavailable to perform the repair. The dealer stated that the remedy part would not become available for six months to twelve months. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2014
“At 50 mph, the power steering pulley came off of my 2008 dodge ram 4500 causing the steering and brakes to fail. Thankfully,my arm strength and trailer brakes saved me this time. According to the dealer,the power steering pump is not covered by warranty or under any recall. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 4500. The contact received NHTSA recall campaign id number:13v527000 (steering) but was advised by the dealer that the tool needed to complete the repair was not available. The contact received the notice years ago. The manufacturer was notified and could not provide a reasonable timeframe for when the vehicle would receive the recall repairs. There are no failures at this time.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 4500. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 10v657000 (steering:linkages:tie rod assembly) and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the necessary parts needed to perform the repairs were not readily available and would need to be ordered. The contact was told that they would notify him when the parts became available but he had not been notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 39,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 4500. While driving at 3 mph in reverse, the front end of the vehicle suddenly fell. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2010
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is R16.
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. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
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. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
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 SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 4500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 reliable?
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.