2008 Dodge Ram 4500 problems
The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.
Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.
Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
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Common 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 problems
The Dodge Ram 4500, produced in the 2008-2011 model years, has a few common issues that owners have reported. These problems include steering issues, electrical overstress affecting airbag control units, and a front end vibration known as the death wobble.
One of the most common issues with the Dodge Ram 4500 is steering problems. Owners have reported issues with the steering rod breaking at the joint ball. This can lead to a complete loss of steering, which can be extremely dangerous while driving.
Another issue that has been reported is electrical overstress affecting airbag control units (ACU) in certain Dodge Ram trucks. This is a growing concern, as it can potentially affect the safety of the vehicle.
The Dodge Ram 4500 is also susceptible to a front end vibration known as the death wobble. This issue is common in Dodge Ram trucks and can be caused by a variety of factors, including tire imbalance, suspension issues, and steering problems.
In addition to these issues, there have been reports of engine stalls in the 2008 Ram 4500, steering rod issues in the 2008 Ram 4500, and exhaust system and suspension problems in the 2011 Ram 4500.
Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) has also issued recalls for certain model years of the Dodge Ram 4500. These recalls include a recall for defective Takata airbags, which can potentially cause injuries or deaths.
Overall, the Dodge Ram 4500 has a few common issues that owners should be aware of. These issues include steering problems, electrical overstress affecting airbag control units, and the death wobble. Additionally, there have been recalls issued for certain model years of the Dodge Ram 4500 due to defective airbags and issues with the TIPM.
What is the problem with the 2008 Dodge 4500?
Chrysler is recalling 22,274 Sterling Bullet, Dodge Ram and Ram 4500 AND 5500 chassis cabs from the 2008-11 model years to fix a problem with steering components that could lead to a loss of vehicle control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Is the RAM 4500 reliable?
Ram 4500 Reliability Problems. 4500 owners have made 11 complaints over 5 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 2nd in overall reliability out of 9 Ram models , with real windows and electrical concerns.
Is the 08 Dodge Ram a good truck?
Edmunds says
Though overshadowed by fresher competition, the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 is still the king of big-truck attitude and can handle the diverse duties of comfortable daily driver and capable workhorse with equal ease.
How many miles per gallon does a 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 get?
The Dodge Ram4500 is equipped with A6. 4 liter HEMI V8 gas engine on base models that holds up to 52 gallons of fuel and maintains approximately 10-15 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway.
What is the problem with the 2008 Dodge 4500?
Chrysler is recalling 22,274 Sterling Bullet, Dodge Ram and Ram 4500 AND 5500 chassis cabs from the 2008-11 model years to fix a problem with steering components that could lead to a loss of vehicle control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Is the RAM 4500 reliable?
Ram 4500 Reliability Problems. 4500 owners have made 11 complaints over 5 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 2nd in overall reliability out of 9 Ram models , with real windows and electrical concerns.
Are 2008 Rams good?
Considering its size, the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 is nimble and easy to drive. Ride quality can still be a bit bouncy at times, but when loaded up with passengers and cargo, the Ram is downright comfortable. The new 4.7-liter is a welcome addition and no longer makes the 5.7-liter V8 a near necessity.
What transmission is in a 2008 Ram 4500?
six-speed automatic transmission
The 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs offer a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission – both with Power Take Off (PTO) capability.
2008 Dodge Ram 4500 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Ram 4500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Suspension problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2008 Dodge Ram 4500 complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-06-15
- VIN: 3D6WC66A48G
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-12-15
- VIN: 3D6WC66A48G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-06-02
- VIN: 3D6WD68A48G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-08-22
- VIN: 3D6WC68A98G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-03-14
- VIN: 3D6WD68A98G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-19
- VIN: 3D6WC66A38G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-01-10
- VIN: 3D6WD66A78G
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-03-10
- VIN: 3D6WD68A38G
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-02-25
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE 4500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TIE RODS WOULD NEED REPLACING AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD IN WHICH THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD AND ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIRS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-05-14
- VIN: 3D6WD68A78G
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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.
2008 Dodge Ram 4500 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500.
- Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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 temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Additional sources
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