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2008 Ram 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2008 Ram 3500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 16V-739 the manufacturer reports only 63% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 63%Owner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage150kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 9, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Ram 3500 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering30
Suspension20
Electrical system10
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Ram 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

63%repaired · 2018 Q2

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 16V-739 · Oct 13, 2016 · 74,811 vehicles · 47,157 repaired

Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ram.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 3500 median. How we score

'07'08'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 3500 owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE", REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX STABILIZER/BRACE, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS HAPPENS WHEN GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU ENCOUNTER BUMPS, THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SLOW DOWN TO STOP THE SHAKING, THE OTHER FIXES ARE VERY…
Complaint 11323961 · May 9, 2020 · 150,000 miles
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE FRONT END OF MY 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 QUAD CAB DUALLY DIESEL. I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE DEATH WOBBLE AFTER REPLACING EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END EXCEPT THE DRAG LINK STEERING LINK. I HAVE THE FACTORY "Y" TYPE AND WAS TOLD DODGE WAS REPLACING THEM WITH THE "T"STYLE. PLEASE…
Complaint 11187461 · Mar 18, 2019 · 160,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING, THE TIE ROD FELL OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO FREMONT MOTOR CODY (3127 BIG HORN AVE, CODY, WY 82414), BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIE ROD HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Complaint 11061931 · Jan 10, 2018 · 120,000 miles

Own a 2008 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.