2008 Dodge RAM: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2008 Dodge RAM
On the 2008 Dodge RAM, the failure owners report most often is steering rack, gear or tie rod failure, with 5 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 25,000 miles. Overall it scores 71 out of 100, high risk for a 2008.
High risk for a 2008 — 108th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. 33 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 19 named failure modes on the 2008 Dodge RAM, and the three most-reported carry 33% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure leads with 5 reports and about 0.2 per 1,000 vehicles.
Premature brake pad or rotor wear follows with 3 reports, median 25,000 miles.
Other steering problem follows with 3 reports, median 30,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into steering (8), brakes (3) and engine (3).
At what mileage it happens
23 of the reports on the 2008 Dodge RAM came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 25,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 70% by 50,000 miles, 87% by 100,000 miles and 96% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 30% of the dated reports.
65% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 19. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 7 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 2 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.33, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: steering rack, gear or tie rod failure at $700–$2,600, premature brake pad or rotor wear at $300–$1,400, other steering problem at $350–$2,400 and airbag failed to deploy in a crash at $1,000–$5,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
21% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 5 | 1 | — | 13k | — | 0.2 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 3 | 1 | — | 25k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other steering problem | steering | 3 | 2 | — | 30k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 2 | 2 | — | 6k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 2 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 2 | 2 | — | 116k | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 38k | — | 0.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 1 | — | 16k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 2 | — | 41k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 76k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | 40k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | 86k | — | 0.0 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Wheel bearing or hub failure | drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | 186k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 8k | — | 0.0 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 1 | — | 33k | — | 0.0 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 20k | — | 0.0 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 20k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2008 Dodge RAM draws about 1.0 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 73rd percentile of complaint rates among 2008 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 32,948 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2008 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram. While driving 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle unexpectedly wandered to the left. This was a sudden change in direction. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the tires exhibited excessive wear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the grease seal was leaking. The grease seal, steering linkages, and both tie rod ends were replaced. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 09e001000 (steering;linkages), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 12,798 and current mileage was 13,534.
Premature brake pad or rotor wear
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact stated that when he applied pressure on the break pedal at 55 MPH, he heard a grinding noise and the vehicle shimmied. Break failure can lead to increased stopping distances, which can cause a vehicle crash. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and a technician replaced the front rotors. The failure mileage was 25,000. The current mileage was 29,000.
Other steering problem
Took my 2008 dodge ram 1500 4WD in for oil change and was told that the left and right outer tie rods were severely worn out and needed to be replaced. This is at 35,500 miles, truck is only used on road and has never been off road. Seems this is a common early wearout item on these trucks. Why? *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram. While driving approximately 35 MPH she heard rattling in the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions. The front stabilizer end links and the shock brackets were replaced. Also the tie rods were replaced at an authorized dealer. The technician stated the failure was related to the recall under NHTSA campaign id number 09e001000 (steering;linkages). However, the VIN was excluded from recall defect. The failure mileage was 25,000. The current mileage was 41,000.
Recalls on the 2008 model year
NHTSA has issued 4 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Dodge RAM, affecting an estimated 39,935 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover steering:linkages:tie rod assembly, visibility:windshield wiper/washer, visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor and steering:linkages. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
15,271 vehicles 2010-12-24- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles. These vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod resulting in the potential loss of steering.
- Consequence
- Loss of steering control of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners and replace the left outer tie rod free of charge. The safety recall began on march 7, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
1,364 vehicles 2009-03-13- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling 1,364 windshield wiper modules, p/n 55077098aj, sold during the 2008 and 2009 calendar year for use as aftermarket replacement equipment on my 2002-2009 dodge ram pickup trucks. These wiper module assemblies may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiper capability.
- Consequence
- When the wiper system fails, the operator will have reduced visibility which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper module assemblies with vented wiper motor housings free of charge. The safety recall began on august 28, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
65,896 vehicles 2009-03-13- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling 65,896 my 2008-2009 light and heavy duty dodge ram pickup trucks. The windshield wiper module motor assembly may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability.
- Consequence
- When the wiper system fails, the operator will have reduced visibility which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper module assemblies with vented wiper motor housings free of charge. The safety recall began on august 17, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
STEERING:LINKAGES
18,000 vehicles 2009-01-13- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling 18,000 aftermarket steering linkages used for service on some my 2003 through 2008 dodge ram heavy duty pickup trucks. The subject linkages may experience drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud fracture, also, the steering linkage damper attaching bracket may yeild and shift on the linkage. The part numbers of the affected assemblies is 52122362aa through 52122362ad.
- Consequence
- This could result in a loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle in one direction increasing the risk of a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free of charge. The recall began on june 6, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2008 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2008 sits in the model line
High risk for a 2008 — 108th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 14 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1997 comes out best at 63 and 2005 worst at 80, with 2008 itself at 71.
If the model year is negotiable, 1997, 1996, 1999, 2007, 2001 and 1998 score lower than 2008 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2008–2011 generation specifically, 2008 is the strongest year at 71 and 2010 the weakest at 76.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2008-2011 generation, 2008 Dodge RAM scores best at 71 and 2010 Dodge RAM worst at 76.
The limits of complaint data
33 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 33 reports, 23 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 70% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge RAM?
The most-reported failures are steering rack, gear or tie rod failure (5 reports, median 15,000 miles), premature brake pad or rotor wear (3 reports, median 25,000 miles) and other steering problem (3 reports, median 30,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2008 Dodge RAM reliable?
It scores 71 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 108th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2008 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Dodge RAM is best?
Within the 2008–2011 generation, 2008 scores best at 71 out of 100 and 2010 worst at 76. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed