2008 Dodge RAM 5500 recalls and problems

The 2008 Dodge RAM 5500 has 3 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer.

Urgent: recall 16V-352, recall 15V-313 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
3
Complaints
19
Crashes / fires
0 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Dodge RAM 5500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Dodge RAM 5500 recalls

Recall 16V-352: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Problem: 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, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

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 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 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.

Recall 15V-313: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Problem: 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, could cause the inflator to rupture.

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 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

Recall 13V-527: Steering

Reported Nov 6, 2013 · 36,151 vehicles affected · Chrysler Group LLC

Problem: 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 a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is R16.

2008 Dodge RAM 5500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Steering17
Electrical System1
Suspension1
Engine1
Air Bags1

Most reported parts

  • Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 59,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Dodge RAM 5500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Aug 11, 2016
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.
Steering · reported Feb 3, 2016
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.
Air Bags · reported Oct 13, 2015
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).
Steering · at 144,685 miles · reported Jul 14, 2015
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…
Steering · reported May 18, 2015
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

Other Dodge RAM 5500 years

Compare all Dodge RAM 5500 years · All Dodge models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Dodge RAM 5500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Dodge RAM 5500: 16V-352 (air bags), 15V-313 (air bags), 13V-527 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge RAM 5500?

Owners report steering problems most often (17 reports), followed by electrical system (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 59,000 miles.

Are Dodge recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Dodge dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.