2008 Dodge Ram 3500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500: 9 recalls, 173 owner complaints.
Recalls
9 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #08V344000 · 2008 · 108 vehicles
What's wrong: There May be an insufficient weld attaching the hitch channel to the supporting structure.
Why it matters: This could result in bending of the hitch channel or the hitch could be pulled off the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 customers who need a hitch, a receiver hitch assembly will be added to the existing hitch assembly and…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #08V641000 · 2008 · 108,429 vehicles
What's wrong: 7l diesel engines. A silencer pad can sag and contact the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) cooler.
Why it matters: This could result in an engine compartment fire.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #09V005000 · 2009 · 32,782 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud May fracture. Also the steering linkage damper attaching the bracket May yield and shift on the linkage.
Why it matters: This could result in a loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle in one direction increasing the risk of a crash without warning.
The fix: 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 16, 2009.
Equipment Vehicle recall #09V434000 · 2009 · 53 vehicles
What's wrong: 68rv0010ba, 68rv0012ca, and 68rv0010ea. The heater element in these assemblies May be defective which could cause the unit to create smoke or sparks.
Why it matters: This defect could result in a fire.
The fix: 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 December 2009.
Steering Vehicle recall #11V350000 · 2011 · 242,780 vehicles
What's wrong: This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 vehicles May have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Why it matters: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 charge. The safety recall began on October 3, 2011.
Steering Vehicle recall #13V529000 · 2013 · 271,733 vehicles
What's wrong: The left tie rod assembly May break.
Why it matters: A failure of the tie rod assembly May result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In…
Steering Vehicle recall #13V528000 · 2013 · 706,664 vehicles
What's wrong: The left tie rod assembly May break.
Why it matters: A failure of the tie rod assembly May result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V313000 · 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V352000 · 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators May rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and…
The fix: 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…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #07E104000 · 2007 · 1,657 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 vehicles May not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 205, "glazing materials."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) May be seriously injured by shattered glass.
The fix: 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 reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their…
Steering Equipment recall #10E013000 · 2010 · 1,500 vehicles
What's wrong: Fts93001 and ft44039, installed for use on certain 2003 through 2008 Dodge 2500 4wd, 3500 4wd, and 1500 4wd mega cab vehicles. The pitman arm can fracture and break away from the steering box causing total loss of steering control.
Why it matters: Steering loss could result in a vehicle crash possibly resulting in property damage, injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (94): the most common themes are steering problems (74), noise or vibration (7).
- Suspension (22): the most common themes are steering problems (10), noise or vibration (3).
- Airbags (18): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
- Electrical (18): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), fire / smoke (7), stalls / loses power (6).
The 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 has 173 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 22 Ram 3500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 140). Complaints peaked in 2014 (46 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 65,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (210 complaints, 11 recalls), 2009 (105 complaints, 5 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 problems?
Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (94), suspension (22), airbags (18).
Where can I get a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.