2008 Ram 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (2) · Steering (1) · Exterior Lighting (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ram 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2016-10-13 · campaign 16V739000 · 74,811 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
Service bulletins (181)
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.
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
Power Train 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
gear motor, transfer case the gear motor assembly is shipped in awd/2wd position. the transfer case needs to be positioned in awd/2wd position to properly assemble gear motor to t-case. please reference star online publication s2121000003 for further details. do not have the transfer case in in ano
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
gear motor, transfer case the gear motor assembly is shipped in awd/2wd position. the transfer case needs to be positioned in awd/2wd position to properly assemble gear motor to t-case. please reference star online publication s2121000003 for further details. do not have the transfer case in in ano
Power Train 2021-03-04 · S2121000003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transfer case gear motor/actuator installation guidelines.
Showing the 6 most recent of 181 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-05-09 · Suspension · 150,000 mi“vehicle experienced the "death wobble", replaced the steering gear box stabilizer/brace, did not fix the problem, this happens when going highway speeds and you encounter bumps, the vehicle shakes violently and you have to pull over and slow down to stop the shaking, the other fixes are very expensive, and should be a recall. numerous other people …”
2019-03-18 · Steering · 160,000 mi“my complaint is with the front end of my 2008 dodge ram 3500 quad cab dually diesel. i have been getting the death wobble after replacing everything in the front end except the drag link steering link. i have the factory "y" type and was told dodge was replacing them with the "t"style. please advise before i get killed in this thing. highway betwee…”
2018-10-17 · Exterior Lighting · 200,000 mi“the 4x4 actuator kept clicking in and out and damaged my transfer case where i had to pay for a new one, now it's starting to do it again. also my heater blows cold on diver side and hot on passenger side. all services have been done but the light keeps coming on and off, saying i need to have it serviced. head lights and dash lights keep fluctuat…”
2018-01-10 · Suspension · 120,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 ram 3500. while driving, the tie rod fell off on the passenger side of the vehicle. the contact drove to fremont motor cody (3127 big horn ave, cody, wy 82414), but they could not repair the vehicle. the contact replaced the tie rod himself. the manufacturer was contacted and was unable to provide assistance. the approxi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.