2008 Dodge Ram 5500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 19 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 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000 (steering). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000 (steering); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2016
“I received 2 recall notices. I have spent hours trying to work with chrysler to find a dealership that would be able to fix and align my tow truck. They have been unable to find a dealership within 145 miles of my home. From what I have found out, they have several dealerships that sell my type of tow truck..but none are able to service and align my tow truck. I feel that this is unacceptable. Please advise. [xxx]. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000 (steering); 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 contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle started smoking from under the hood and electrical system failed. The vehicle caught fire and all warning indicators were illuminated continuously. The engine stalled but failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000 (steering); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Ma 10/25/15 updated 10/17/2017*cn”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2014
“Chrysler issued a recall on the right outer tie rod assembly shortly after we purchased this vehicle. The assembly was replaced. Now the left outer tie rod assembly has been found to be defective, the recall was issued, but chrysler won't send the parts to my dealer. They are now saying the parts don't need replaced! If that's the case, why was there a recall issued??? *tr”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000 (suspension) was received in december of 2013. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to perform the remedy were not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. On one occasion, while driving approximately 40 mph, the driver side tie rod suddenly fractured and the driver was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the tie rod. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000(suspension) was received approximately 2 years ago. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,685.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v527000 (steering) and stated that the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The dealer was unable to provide an expected date for the part to become available. The manufacturer was made aware of problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2013
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 5500 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 5500 reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Ram 5500. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2008 Dodge Ram 5500 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.