CarModelProblems.com

2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 8.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
173Complaints
11Recalls
9Crashes
14Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering (49.7% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Steering complaints here are 8.7× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering86 · 49.7%RecalledRecall 11V350000 · Recall 09V005000 · Recall 13V529000 · Recall 13V528000 · Recall 10E013000
Air Bags18 · 10.4%RecalledRecall 16V352000 · Recall 15V313000
Electrical System16 · 9.2%No official action
Suspension15 · 8.7%No official action
Engine11 · 6.4%RecalledRecall 08V641000
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System9 · 5.2%RecalledRecall 08V641000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING86 · 49.7%
AIR BAGS18 · 10.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16 · 9.2%
SUSPENSION15 · 8.7%
ENGINE11 · 6.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM9 · 5.2%
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY8 · 4.6%
POWER TRAIN6 · 3.5%
TIRES6 · 3.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 173 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 11 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 2016 · reported 05/24/2016

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 15V313000 · 2015 · reported 05/27/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 11V350000 · 2011 · reported 07/06/2011

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Trailer Hitches

NHTSA campaign 08V344000 · 2008 · reported 07/28/2008

THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 09V005000 · 2009 · reported 01/09/2009

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V529000 · 2013 · reported 11/06/2013

A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V528000 · 2013 · reported 11/06/2013

A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

NHTSA campaign 08V641000 · 2008 · reported 12/05/2008

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

NHTSA campaign 09V434000 · 2009 · reported 11/13/2009

THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman

NHTSA campaign 10E013000 · 2010 · reported 05/03/2010

STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“WHEN I PULLED OUT OF AN INTERSECTION, REACHED A SPEED OF 25MPH, THE TRUCK JERKED LEFT UNCONTROLLABLY. FINALLY STOPPED WEN I HIT A DITCH, LOOKED…”NHTSA complaint 10744053 — filed 07/27/2015 · STEERING
“DRIVE DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 80 MPH AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO…”NHTSA complaint 10722825 — filed 06/02/2015 · STEERING
“WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 31 IN GALLATIN, TENNESSEE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE RIGHT STEERING ARM BROKE RENDERING MY TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS…”NHTSA complaint 10716889 — filed 05/07/2015 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

242010211920128502014321820161532018522020312023112025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500?

Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 86 of 173 NHTSA complaints (49.7%), followed by air bags (18), electrical system (16), suspension (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 have?

173 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 have any recalls?

Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V352000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.