REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS NOISY AFTER BEING REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES. VEHICLE HAS 73,000 MILES.
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 powertrain problems
severe 68 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
68
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
Was driving home going 35 the rear end spider gears decided to lock up completely cause loss of control of my vehicle
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WITHOUT WARNING INTO THE GARAGE DOOR POST. AFTER REVERSING FROM THE GARAGE POST, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE HOOD. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REMOVED, AND THE SMOKE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTH…
AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 70 M.P.H. THE REAR END MADE A LOUD NOISE AND WITHOUT WARNING SEIZED UP AND STARTED GRINDING EXTREMELY LOUD CAUSING MY REAR END TO LOCK UP AT 70 M.P.H. ALMOST CAUSING A PILE UP. I AVOIDED A COLLISION BY PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR ALLOWING ME TO CHANGE LANES AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY TO THE FIRST PARKING LOT I COULD FIND …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 68 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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