The Lemon Index2008 Ram 1500.
The 2008 Ram 1500 is about average by owner complaints: 251 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 14 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,048 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ram 1500 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 32K to 101K miles on the car (725 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 38K–95K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 47K–129K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 30K–81K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- steering 2013
The left tie rod assembly may break.
Show all 10 recalls
- steering 2013
The left tie rod assembly may break.
- steering 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14,…
- wheels 2010
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS…
- steering 2010
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS.
- steering 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,782 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE.
- engine 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 108,429 MY 2007-2008 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINES.
- visibility 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BRE…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 78 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2003-2008 (dr) ram truck 1500-steering shudder during parking lot or low vehicle speed maneuvers
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedChrysler's execution of 13v-528 & 5292014–2016
- ClosedOuter tie rod failure2011–2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle 2003, Dodge Ram 2500, diesel, 4x4, 54,000 miles steering box malfunction. Difficult to maintain directional stability. Replaced steering box.
2008 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10221614
More owner reports
Front shocks both blew out leaking all of their fluid out. Ride became very poor. Manufacturer should recall and redesign the front shocks.
NHTSA complaint 10238876
I has both front shocks go out on my 2008 Dodge Ram. I rarely drive this truck and they shouldn't have gone out. The leaking shocks also damaged my driveway and Chrysler refuses to take car of it. Don't buy a Chrysler product.
NHTSA complaint 10242498
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Ram 1500 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2008 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (39%), suspension (20%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ram 1500 have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ram 1500 get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,800 and 101,900 miles. The middle report was at 63,000 miles, from 725 complaints.
Does the 2008 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Ram 1500 have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works