DODGE RAM 5500 · model year

2008 DODGE RAM 5500

21 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008DODGERAM 5500 carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 RAM 5500 is steering with 13 filings, followed by steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (4) and electrical system (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2008 RAM 5500, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

21
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING13
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION1
ENGINE1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (3)

15V31300027/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, 2005-2

16V35200024/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2

13V52700006/11/2013

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Recent Complaints

20160811STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20160203STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20151013AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES. I HAVE SPENT HOURS TRYING TO WORK WITH CHRYSLER TO FIND A DEALERSHIP THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX AND ALIGN MY TOW TRUCK. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A DEALERSHIP WITHIN 145 MILES OF MY HOME. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT, THEY HAVE SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL MY TYPE OF TOW TRUCK..BUT NONE ARE ABLE TO SERVICE AND ALIGN MY TOW TRUCK. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

20151013STEERING

I RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES. I HAVE SPENT HOURS TRYING TO WORK WITH CHRYSLER TO FIND A DEALERSHIP THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX AND ALIGN MY TOW TRUCK. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A DEALERSHIP WITHIN 145 MILES OF MY HOME. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT, THEY HAVE SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL MY TYPE OF TOW TRUCK..BUT NONE ARE ABLE TO SERVICE AND ALIGN MY TOW TRUCK. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

20150714STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000(SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,685.

Mileage: 144,685

20150518STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/25/15 UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN

20150212STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20150211FireENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND ALL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE ENGINE STALLED BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20150121SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED IN DECEMBER OF 2013. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20140512STEERING

CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL ON THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. NOW THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT CHRYSLER WON'T SEND THE PARTS TO MY DEALER. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THE PARTS DON'T NEED REPLACED! IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY WAS THERE A RECALL ISSUED??? *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20140227STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20110418STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE DRIVE SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR OVER A MONTH. LATER, HE RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER RECALL MARCH 2011 IN REGARDS TO THE DRIVER SIDE K28 TIE ROD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED SIX DEALERS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND WAS ADVISED BY EACH DEALER THAT THEY COULD ONLY REPLACE THE TIE ROD BUT THE ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT TO DO SO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL AT A LATER DATE. THE MANUFACTURER NEVER CALLED THE CONTACT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ALLOWED HIM TO TAK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 11/28/11

Mileage: 42,000

20110413STEERING

I WAS INFORMED OF A SAFETY RECALL ON MY DODGE 5500 TRUCK. THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS K28 LEFT TIE ROD END. THE DEALER, PERKINS DODGE, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. *TR

20110214STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WANDERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ABOVE 55 MPH. UPDATED 04/04/11

20110202STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE SHAFT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000. UPDATED 3/14/11 *CN UPDATED 05/19/11. *JB

Mileage: 83,000

20101230STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE TIE ROD BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 02/11/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

Mileage: 100,000

20101230STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE TIE ROD BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 02/11/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

Mileage: 100,000

20100811STEERING

SECOND TIME THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD HAS BROKEN ON A 2008 DODGE 5500 ST. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

20100720STEERING

2008 DODGE 5500 VIN [XXX] DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD FAILED / SHEARED APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER, YET CHRYSLER SAYS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ONE OF THE TRUCKS THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIE RODS WAS INSTALLED IN. IN MY 20 PLUS YEARS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIE ROD FAIL WITH THIS FEW MILES ON A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

Mileage: 62,540

20100419STEERING

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STEERED INTO THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE FRONT TIRES, STEERING BOX, AND STEERING ARM. ALSO, REALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900.

Mileage: 400

Compare 2008DODGERAM 5500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 DODGE RAM 5500 have?
The 2008 DODGE RAM 5500 has 21 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 DODGE RAM 5500?
Yes, the 2008 DODGE RAM 5500 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 DODGE RAM 5500?
The most-complained component for the 2008 DODGE RAM 5500 is STEERING with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2008 DODGE RAM 5500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.