10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,369 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Dodge Ram 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #14

Jul 152022

Ram 3500

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated the sensor needed to be replaced as well as the harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000

- Randle, WA, USA

problem #13

Jul 012021

Ram 3500

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the rocker panels, subframe, truck bed, and oil pan were severely rusted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Groveton, NH, USA

problem #12

Apr 062009

Ram 3500

  • 1,200 miles
Power loss occurs at anytime. All the time. Truck slows down to idle speed. Really bad when doing 70 on the interstate. Must shut engine off, press accelerator slowly for 5 times then restart engine. Electronic throttle controller has been replaced 6 times now. They all failed again between 7 and 40 miles. Have not been able to get it repaired.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #11

Feb 112020

Ram 3500

  • 116,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact stated employed by a company that owns a 2008 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while an employee was driving at approximately 35 mph an abnormal odor was detected the cabin of the vehicle. The driver was able to stop the vehicle and upon opening the hood fire was seen in the engine compartment. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. A fire investigation report was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 116,216.

- Calhoun City, MS, USA

problem #10

Jan 192017

Ram 3500

  • 245,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving, the instrument panel and exterior lighting illuminated brightly and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and discovered that the tipm was smoking and caused six unknown fuses to become inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and restarted. After the vehicle was restarted, it caught on fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 245,000.

- New Hope, KY, USA

problem #9

Dec 052008

Ram 3500

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 08V641000 (engine and engine cooling), 09E001000 (steering), 13V528000 (steering), 15V313000 (air bags) and 16V352000 (air bags. The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Novinger, MO, USA

problem #8

Jun 042014

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 121,145 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Etc (electronic throttle control) when this light comes on flashing it goes into limp mode (idle) this is a real safety concern especially in traffic when towing a trailer. I bought the truck new from city auto plaza, canon city, co. I brought the truck into city auto plaza June 4th 2014 when the etc light was flashing. They replaced the gas pedal the following day the etc light came on. June 11th 2014 they re-crimped the plug on the pedal sensor and the C130 connector under the hood. That lasted about a month and a half. On July 29th 2014 they hardwired around the C130 connector. That lasted about 8 months brought truck in on March 9th 2015, the etc light had gone off by the time I got to city auto plaza but it was the same code in storage P2121. The etc light came on again in May 12th 2015 brought it back and they re-crimped the pedal sensor put some lube and pulled the plugs off the PCM and blew they out and put some lube in the plugs. July 8th 2015 the etc light came back on flashing so I brought it down to city auto plaza again and they hardwired from the gas pedal all the way to the PCM. That lasted 2 days and the etc light came back on going into limp mode. Brought it in again on July 16th the light was off. They test drove it numerous time couldn't get the etc light to come on but it still had the same code in storage P2121. So the swapped out accelerator pedals got the truck back on the July 21st. On July 29th I brought the truck in to troubleshoot the ac (air conditioner) started the truck in the parking lot and the etc light was flashing. Travis the tech that works on my truck has brought in tech support from Chrysler. Travis also google'd it and this is not just my truck. He saw trucks from 2004 to 2009 with these same problems. Why can't Chrysler figure this out" does someone have to get in and accident or die before they figure it out"

- Westcliffe, CO, USA

problem #7

May 312015

Ram 3500

  • 82,000 miles
Diving at 60 miles towing a fifth wheel camper truck lost all power overhead console read see dealer now. Problem was diesel particulate filter was totally clogged. After being towed to dealer was told the cost would be $5000 egr valve and dpf needed replaced. Emissions system was cleaned at 68,000 miles. Overhead console never said anything about regeneration mode or worked at all reporting any emissions problem. Had truck to numerous dealers wanted computer updated told everything was fine.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 202014

Ram 3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while traveling 40 mph, the windshield reservoir emitted washer fluid onto the windshield. The contact stated that the vehicle lost all electrical power and emitted a burning odor. In addition, the vehicle electrical system caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the total intergraded power module failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 64,000.

- Bynum, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 012013

Ram 3500

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the water pump was fractured and leaking fluid. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 61,000.

- Rentz , GA, USA

problem #4

Feb 122013

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was turning onto another street I smelled electrical smoke. Truck started to run rough then stalled. Electrical smoke filled the cab. Everything that was electrical turned on and was either flashing blinking or running. I put truck in neutral and pulled the ignition key. The starter engaged on its own. I had to pull battery cables off to kill power to the truck by hand no tools. The tipm module burned internally. If my wife had been driving the truck would have burned. If the truck was in gear it would have taken off by itself.

- Hondo, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 052009

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 2,500 miles
Vehicle has a death wobble, dealerships keep replacing steering damper, three times since 2009, it comes on unexpectedly, the problem is in the front end, just turned 40,000 miles, I will not allow anyone to drive this truck, it is an accident waiting to happen, Dodge dealerships will not resolve the issue correctly. Thus why it has only 40K on it. I do not want to even drive it over 45 mph. It has the problem again, I would like to trade it in, but do not want to give someone this headache. I will not even drive with my children in this truck. Also have had egr valve issues. Please force Dodge to do something before someone that does not know how to handle vehicles like this get behind the wheels and kills a family. Thank you.

- Charlatan, NY, USA

problem #2

May 242010

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 22,327 miles
The date given above is the date we have actual paperwork for proof. Problem really started shortly after purchasing the truck brand new from dealer. I has always been take to the same dealer for on time maintenance. The check engine light comes on all the time. It is a very bad exhaust issue. I have done research on this and it shows that this problem can cause fires. No one will help. There many others with same issue.

- Kremmling, CO, USA

problem #1

Apr 022012

Ram 3500

  • 76,000 miles
2 things have happened. At a normal idle in park, the vehicle after about a minute has surges (a quick high rev) then once the rev stops the truck engine light flickers and sounds like it wants to stall. In another case, while sitting at a red light the truck has a rough idle that causes the truck to shake. This has happened numerous times. I have not taken the truck to the dealer for fear that it would cost alot of money to have this checked out.

- West Covina, CA, USA

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