1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
91,165 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 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Feb 092023

Ram 1500

  • 142,753 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning left at a traffic signal, while straightening the steering wheel and lightly depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated abruptly. The contact stated that the rear tires made an abnormal squealing noise and he observed smoke in the rear-view mirror. The contact stated that the vehicle then spun 180 degrees to the right. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left to compensate and the vehicle spun 180 degrees to the left. The contact used the steering wheel to regain control of the vehicle and took his foot off the accelerator pedal and did not use the brake pedal to correct the vehicle. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights. The contact then drove to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,753.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #37

Jul 152022

Ram 1500

  • 70,000 miles
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 #36

Jul 012021

Ram 1500

  • 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 #35

Sep 062020

Ram 1500

  • 147,000 miles

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

Rocker arm came off lifter, broken lifter spring. Told it was a common valve seat failure issue for this vehicle. 147,000 regular maintenance was performed. Shop said they have seen this many times. Poor design/material.

- Sneads Ferry, NC, USA

problem #34

Feb 102020

Ram 1500

  • 95,000 miles
After filling up with fuel on serval different occasions the truck will shut off with no warning lights or service lights. This causes the power steering and everything to stop. When at a stop sign it can be started safely from park or neutral but when moving it has to be put in neutral to re start because the brake system does not work good either. It has happened at stop sign and stop light as well as driving down the road at 55 mph

- Leesville, LA, USA

problem #33

Jun 052019

Ram 1500

  • 60,600 miles
Engine died without warning going slow on bumpy road, turning left. Lost all steering and brakes. Had just filled tank. Started right back up. Very dangerous situation. I am now afraid to drive it. I see many other complaints of the same nature.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #32

Jun 012019

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

The truck stalls after filling with fuel. It can happen at any time; stalled in a turn causing the loss of power steering; stalled at stops; causes bucking. At no other time does the truck have these issues. I have heard of other having this issue with this model and others such as Jeep, etc. Regarding the "when did this happen?" question below, it happens at 95+% of fill-ups. The last time it happened was 6/1/19.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #31

May 302019

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
Engine shuts off after every fill up at the gas station if vehicle is placed in a moderately hard stop or making a right hand turn on a freeway on ramp or city street causing the engine to shut off completely and leaving vehicle in motion without power to steering and brakes. This has happened more time than I can remember.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #30

Dec 032018

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles
The engine stalls and cuts off without any warning. I've had it at 4 different auto repair shops including 3 weeks at landmark Dodge and no one can determine what is going on with it. I've had the fuel pump replaced and cylinders replaced. It's crazy andd very frustrating that Dodge can't fix their own product.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #29

Dec 282018

Ram 1500

  • 73,600 miles
Several times now after starting the truck and running it 10-15 minutes it just shuts off. Today on a very busy 4 lane road it happened and nearly caused a crash due to no power steering. Shops have checked it and it does not show in code errors.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #28

Nov 302018

Ram 1500

  • 90,000 miles

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

I have reported this same problem numerous times before. The engine just quits on the highway with a loss of steering and braking. It seems to happen after refueling and a strong odor of fuel is noticed. This happened within 2 or 3 minutes after refueling and while approaching interstate 35 in waco, tx, on 11/30/2018. An inquiry was made to the local dealership who said they were unaware of the problem and that no complaints have been filed with them. In reviewing other consumer websites that is not true, there are numerous complaints about this same problem and it is definitely a critical safety issue. It is time for the government to investigate this issue before someone is killed or seriously injured.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #27

Jul 012018

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
For several months, while driving the truck, it would try and go into 4W drive low. We changed the actuator and it seemed to work for about a week. Then problems became worse. Again it would go into 4W drive low while driving. But also when we stopped at intersections it would move at all. We would shut the truck off then it would go. We would hear a whining sound after the truck was shut off about 30 minutes coming under the truck. The end of July we had to change the fuel pump. Then we had to change the radiator and thermostat. We had it at 3 different mechanics before finding the problem of it going into 4W drive low. It was the timp and the transfer case. We have had to replace the actuator 3 times.

- Clifton, IL, USA

problem #26

Jun 282018

Ram 1500

  • 180,000 miles
Took my truck to a local dealership bc my engine light came on & started to blink & ding. Barely made it there & so they checked it & said the rocker arm needs replacing. So they ordered it & said its on back order & that there were 600 ahead of me. If it's so many that need this part, it should be a recall on it. I've been waiting for 3 1/2 weeks & still I don't have my truck.

- El Campo, TX, USA

problem #25

Apr 152012

Ram 1500

  • 323,255 miles
Front wheel bearings went out and yhe egr valve went out also

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #24

Dec 142009

Ram 1500

  • 20,000 miles
Takata recall central valley Dodge jeeo modesto, ca has failed to help

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #23

Sep 242017

Ram 1500

  • 90,000 miles
Traveling approx 35 mph when engine suddenly just stopped running. No warning symptoms. Had to coast acoss 3 lanes of traffic to get off the road no power steering and on coming traffic, with 3 young children in the back seat. Timing chain tension "came apart" derailing timing chain. Catastrophic engine damage. Word is this is known to happen on the Dodge 5.7 hemi engines. 2008 with 90K miles. Seems this should be manufactures responsibility. Help me please.

- Lake City, PA, USA

problem #22

Jul 012016

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
When I start my vehicleit has a ticking sound.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 012016

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
The engine randomly dies. At idle or driving, at all speeds. It starts right back up. I have had the truck worked on at 4 shops and two dealerships. I have spent over $10,000 string to get the problem fixed. It is a very dangerous situation. I have been trying to resolve this problem for 3 years.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #20

Mar 052016

Ram 1500

  • 71,000 miles
While coasting to a stop light from 45mph, engine shut down loosing power steering, thus 100% control of vehicle. Truck stopped in the intersection blocking 3 lanes of traffic. No check engine light lit up, although did notice RPM fluctuated just prior to episode. Truck started up shortly thereafter, I continued on my way, no clue's on what occurred.

- Little Falls, MN, USA

problem #19

Feb 122016

Ram 1500

  • 65,000 miles
The truck has developed a habit of randomly stalling when coming to a stop. This is dangerous at intersections and railroad crossings. I have had the truck back to the dealer several times without success.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

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