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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-DODGE-RAM-1500NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Dodge
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
The 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 has 3 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 578 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 has 578 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 152 complaints, typically surfacing around 86,283 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
3
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Ram 1500?
Avoid — the powertrain
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
5 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system
Powertrain: 68 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–120,645 mi
Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average
8 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Dodge Ram 1500? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 152 owner reports
· tends to show around 86,283 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 109 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,316 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 68 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,080 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 41 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,658 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 86,283 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 8 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 Ram 1500· steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 65 MPH, the driver side tie rod fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09v005000…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v313000 (air bags) and 16v352000 (air bags). The part to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the rear driver and passenger side wheels locked and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road by shifting the gear into all wheel drive. The vehicle was towed to an…
Had a problem with your 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
Fabtech is recalling certain aftermarket replacement pitman arms, p/nos
Steering loss could result in a vehicle crash possibly resulting in property damage, injury or death.
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. Owners may contact fabtech at 1-877-432-2832.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.2 out of 10 based on 578 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system; Powertrain: 68 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–120,645 mi; Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average; 8 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 152 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,283 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 578 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 86,283 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 152 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,283 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,283 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Ram 1500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 578 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Dodge/Ram 1500.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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