Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2008 Dodge RAM 5500 with NHTSA between 2009 and 2016.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 30
Against the median year of the Dodge RAM 5500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 49
9.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
19.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
218.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
327.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
327.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2009peak 2Aug 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Dodge RAM 5500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 20,000 milesScottsboro, ALFire
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10682716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesMidlothain, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY LIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCKS ELECTRICAL ALL WENT OUT WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP WITH NO POWER I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE NOTHING ELSE WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP WAYS IT IS THE BED MANUFACTURES FAULT. THIS BED MANUFACTURE CM IN MADIL OK SERVICES ALL TRUCKS NOT JUST DODGE AND HAS NOT HAD THIS ISSUE ON ANY BUT DODGE THE FUSE BOX OVER LOADS AND SHORTS OUT. I HAVE TO SPEND 1300 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS NOT TO MENTION A WEEK OF NO PAY AS MY TRUCK MAKES ME MONEY.
NHTSA complaint #10267141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Thurmont, MD
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 DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10895006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
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 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10823941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuckerton, NJ
AIR 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).
NHTSA complaint #10781568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuckerton, NJ
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 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).
NHTSA complaint #10781568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,685 milesSouix City, NE
STEERING: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.
NHTSA complaint #10733905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
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 NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/25/15 UPDATED 10/17/2017
NHTSA complaint #10717157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Choteau, MT
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 FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10683057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesScottsboro, ALFire
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10682716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleville, KS
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 TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10676899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLeopold, IN
STEERING
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???
NHTSA complaint #10587728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, MO
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 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10566268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesBaraboo, WI
STEERING: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
NHTSA complaint #10396660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmer Lake, CO
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10395746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #10382589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesBrush, CO
STEERING: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.
NHTSA complaint #10379947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPensacola, FL
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #10373415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPensacola, FL
STEERING: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
NHTSA complaint #10373415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesCumberland GAP, TN
STEERING
SECOND TIME THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD HAS BROKEN ON A 2008 DODGE 5500 ST.
NHTSA complaint #10348726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,540 milesReno, NV
STEERING
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).
NHTSA complaint #10344198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesTacoma, WA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10326402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesMidlothain, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY LIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCKS ELECTRICAL ALL WENT OUT WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP WITH NO POWER I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE NOTHING ELSE WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP WAYS IT IS THE BED MANUFACTURES FAULT. THIS BED MANUFACTURE CM IN MADIL OK SERVICES ALL TRUCKS NOT JUST DODGE AND HAS NOT HAD THIS ISSUE ON ANY BUT DODGE THE FUSE BOX OVER LOADS AND SHORTS OUT. I HAVE TO SPEND 1300 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS NOT TO MENTION A WEEK OF NO PAY AS MY TRUCK MAKES ME MONEY.
NHTSA complaint #10267141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.