2008 Dodge Ram 5500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (12) · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly (4) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 5500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-201
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time,
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-782
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V527000 · 36,151 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in
Service bulletins (38)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Showing the 6 most recent of 38 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-08-11 · Steering“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 distributio…”
2016-02-03 · Steering“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 exp…”
2015-10-13 · Steering“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 alig…”
2015-07-14 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly · 144,685 mi“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 …”
2015-05-18 · Steering“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 no…”
2015-02-12 · Steering“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 fai…”
2015-02-11 · Engine · 20,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2015-01-21 · Suspension“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 tim…”
2014-05-12 · Steering · 30,000 mi“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 the…”
2014-02-27 · Steering“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 experi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.