2008 Dodge Ram 3500 complaints

HI IM SENDING YOU AN EMAIL ON MY 2008 DODGE 3500 DULLY TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE REALLY BAD SHAKING IN MY FRONT END WHEN I HIT A BIG BUMP ON THE HIGH WAY IT SCARED ME AND MY FAMILY AND I GOT A NEW TRUCK SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ANYMORE BUT I WAS WRONG NOT HAPPY ABOUT MY TRUCK 35,000 AND CANT DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY THIS SUCKS WITH MY JOB I TRAVEL ALOT SO WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY TRUCK. *TR

MOST OWNERS OF MULTIPLE MODEL YEAR DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4 PICKUPS HAVE OR WILL ENCOUNTER FRONT CV DRIVESHAFT FAILURES, U-JOINT FAILURES OR HANGER BEARING FAILURES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT DODGE IS COMPLETELY IGNORING AND NOT COVERING UNDER WARRANTY AS THE PART FAILURES TYPICALLY OCCUR SHORTLY AFTER THE INITIAL 36 MONTH WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND EVEN A CRASH. THESE VERHICLES ARE PURCHASED AND USED AS HEAVY DUTY HAULING RIGS AND MANY HAVE DIESEL ENGINES ALLOWING THE CARRYING OR PULLING OF LARGE, HEAVY TRAILERS. SYMPTOMS MAY START WITH A CREAKING IN THE FRONT AXLE AREA AND INCLUDE STEERING WHEEL CHOP UPON RETURN TO CENTER, WHICH IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTS THAT WERE INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY WHICH ARE OF KNOWN POOR QUALITY. U-JOINTS SPECIFICALLY SHOULD CONTAIN A ZERK FITTING WHICH WOULD ALLOW REGULAR LUBRICATION AT MAINTENANCE INTERVALS, WHEREAS THE FACTORY INSTALLED U-JOINTS ARE SEALED AND NOT GREASABLE, WHICH FORCES THEM TO WEAR SIGNIFICANTLY AND QUICKLY, THUS ALLOWING THE PARTS TO FAIL. EVERY DODGE DEALER WITHIN 100-MILES OF MY LOCATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STATES IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. MANY OF WHICH AGREE THAT THE FACTORY INSTALLED ORIGINAL PARTS ARE OF POOR QUALITY AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ARE OF THE SAME QUALITY, NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTS WITH AFT

SIDEWALL SEPERATION/FAILURE OF FRONT AXLE TIRES. SO FAR, 3 BF GOODRICH TIRES SUPPLIED BY DODGE HAVE FAILED.

FRONT END DEATH WOBBLE. ALL FACTORY RECALL REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN DONE, BUT STILL HAS DEATH WOBBLE. NON FACTORY MECHANIC STATED TRUCK MIGHT NEED STEERING BRACKET BECAUSE STEERING BOX IS LOOSE. FEEL UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING TRUCK BECAUSE OF DEATH WOBBLE WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WHEN TRUCK BEGAN TO SURGE. SYSTEM INFORMATION STATED CATALYST AT 70% WITH IN 5MINUTES CATALYST AT 100%. WENT TO DODGE DEALER WHO WAS NOT A AUTHORIZED SERVICE REP. THEY COULD NOT REPLACE FILTER SO THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND SET THE DPF TO REGENERATE. THIS COST $80.00. WENT TO LOCAL DEALER NEXT DAY AND BECAUSE CODE WOULD NOT APPEAR AGAIN THE SET THE DPF TO REGENERATE. THIS COST $80.00. ON 1-12-2010 WHILE PULLING A 32 FOOT FLAT BED TRAILER IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AGAIN, THE SYSTEM INFO WENT TO CATALYST 70%. THE LOCAL DEALER HAD INFORMED US IN ORDER TO GET THE DPF TO GO INTO REGENERATE MODE NEED TO GET THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE UP TO 215. PUT THE TRUCK IN 4TH GEAR AND DROVE 85MPH FOR 50 MILES BEFORE THE REGENERATE MODE KICKED IN. REST OF 500 MILE TRIP WENT FINE. ON 1-27-2010 WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE EVERYTHING HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED DEALER SINCE WAS ONLY 50 MILES AWAY. DROVE STRAIGHT TO DEALER AND THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE DPF FILTER. IT IS JUST MARCH SO WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. NEW FILTER WOULD HAVE COST US $2000.00. IF NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANT. WISH I COULD GET BACK THE $160.00. *TR

ONE OF MY TIE ROD ENDS JUST DISINTEGRATED WHILE I WAS UNDERWAY ON SMOOTH SURFACE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. I COULD HAVE ROLLED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIE ROD END TO GO ON THIS VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 25K MILES. *TR THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS MAKING NOISES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE DEALER REPLACE IT. UPDATED 04/19/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2008. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES TURNED INWARD AND HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:09V005000, STEERING LINKAGES, TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN SHE LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE PULLED TOWARD THE RIGHT AND OFF THE ROAD BARELY MISSING A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED A SECOND TIME. THE LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER HER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 03/09/10. *LJ THE TIE ROD FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME ON JANUARY 14, 2010.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. NO OCCUPANTS WERE IN THE VEHICLE NOR THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY DAMAGED. HE TURNED THE BATTERY CABLES OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ARE REPAIRING THE ENGINE BUT NOT THE BUMPER. HE WAS TOLD TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO REPAIR THE BUMPER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 02/24/10. *LJ THE TRUCK WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED ON AN INCLINE. UPDATED 09/02/10*JB

MOTOR UNDER DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT HEATED UP TO THE POINT THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE MOTOR WAS BURNED UP BUT VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. *TR

WARRANTIED EMISSIONS PROBLEM. DODGE COULDN'T GET PARTS AND KEPT TRUCK FOR JUST UNDER 6 WEEKS. GOT FIXED AND THEN THE FOLLOWING WEEK PARTICULATE FAILED CAUSING CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO CRACK. *TR

THE PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED AFTER A FAULTY SENSOR AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AFTER ONLY 1,300 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER PURCHASING THE NEW TRUCK. *TR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. DRIVING THE PARTICULATE FILTER IS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY CAUSING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO CRACK. THIS CAUSED A BREAKDOWN WHILE DRIVING ON I-10 IN PHOENIX, AZ. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-70 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE WOBBLING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NON-WARRANTY RELATED ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT FEELS THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WILL DETACH WHILE DRIVING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY OTHER MOTORISTS THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE THEN NOTICED FLAMES IN THE CABIN AND THE BED, IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL TANK. HE PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE HIGHWAY PATROL ALSO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE LEFT A TRAIL OF FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WANTED TO INVESTIGATE; HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT INFORM THE CONTACT OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO HIS HANDS, ARMS, AND HAIR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 19,000.

VEHICLE IS 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK WITH 6.7L DIESEL ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL ON SLIPPERY ROAD WITH FOOT OFF THROTTLE, WHEN APPLIED GENTLE THROTTLE PRESSURE, THE ENGINE JERKED VIOLENTLY SEVERAL TIMES, AND CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO BRAKE TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. THIS EVENT IS INTERMITTENT, MOST OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING WITH LIGHT THROTTLE, THEN LIFTING OFF THROTTLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND WHEN PRESS THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE, EXPERIENCE SEVERAL RAPID SHUDDERS OR JERKS FROM ENGINE BEFORE THE ENGINE PULL SMOOTHLY AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS CONDITION SINCE NEW. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TWO DODGE DEALERS, ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT IT, LOCAL DEALER SAID HE HAD SAME COMPLAINT FROM 6 OR 7 OTHER DODGE 6.7 L DIESEL OWNERS. *TR

ON 7-26-08, MY TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ACROSS COUNTRY WHEN THE TRUCK SHUT ITSELF DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE IN A WRECK. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK DELIVERED TO A DODGE SERVICE CENTER, THEY SAID THE TRUCKS FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEM WAS PLUGGED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. HE WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEM, THE TURBO, EXHAUST BRAKE, AND EGR VALVE WOULD SUFFER CARBON DAMAGE AND WOULD NEED TO BE MAINTENANCE REGULARLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM FUNCTIONING. THE LABOR WOULD TAKE AROUND 6 HOURS EACH TIME MAINTENANCE AT $80/HR. ON 12-6-08, WHILE DRIVING, THE EXHAUST BRAKE LOCKED UP SHUT, CAUSING PRESSURE TO BUILD UP UNTIL THE TURBO BLEW OFF THE EXHAUST. AFTER DRIVING THE TRUCK TO A SERVICE CENTER AND THE EXHAUST FUMES BEING FORCED INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT, DUE TO THE CARBON DAMAGE,THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER ORDERING THE $2200 DODGE SERVICE CENTER TURBO/EXHAUST, I RECOMMEND A RECALL OR LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ALL EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS FOR THESE FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED EACH TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS CLOGGED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

MY TRUCK HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST PLUGGING UP. IT ALMOST GOT ME IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN IT BASICALLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THIS IS A PROBLEM DODGE KNOWS ABOUT AND HAS EVEN BOUGHT A FEW TRUCKS BACK OVER BUT THEY MAKE YOU JUMP THROUGH ALOT OF HOOPS AT YOUR EXPENSE TO DO SO. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION LOST ALL FORWARD GEARS WHILE CLIMBING UP LOST TRAIL PASS ON US 93 IN MONTANA. I WAS TOWED TO THE "NEAREST DEALER" IN HAMILTON, MT. THAT DEALER, BELL-MCALL, DID NOT HAVE THE WHEREWITH ALL TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO MISSOULA, MT. TO A REGULAR DODGE DEALER. CHRYSLER ROAD SERVICE REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE 2ND TOW. THEY STATED THEIR ONLY OBLIGATION WAS TO TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRACK BAR FAILED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER ACTIVATES TO CLEAN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTS IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AFTER TRAVELING ONLY 8 MILES, THE EXHAUST VAPORS BURNED A HOLE IN THE TOW GUARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT THE EPA WOULD FINE THEM $1,500 IF THEY REMOVED THE FAILED PART, AS IT MEETS THE EPA STANDARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,100.

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE AT POWER CHRYSLER, DODGE, PHOENIX ARIZONA BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER HAD SENT IT OUT TO HAVE VARIOUS ALTERATIONS MADE. AT THE TIME I BOUGHT IT I THOUGHT IT HAD VERY EXPENSIVE OFF-ROAD WHEELS AND TIRES, OF THE TYPE I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I LATER CAME TO FIND OUT THESE TIRES AND WHEELS WERE MADE FOR A SEMI-TRUCK. FURTHER, THIS SET UP HAS NOT BEEN TESTED PROPERLY AND IS NEW. I DON'T THINK ANYONE KNOWS WHAT PUTTING GIANT, HEAVY SEMI WHEELS AND TIRES ON A REGULAR TRUCK WILL DO TO IT. I HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER 4 DIFFERENT TIMES TO REPAIR THE SAME PROBLEM - HAVING TO DO WITH VIBRATIONS IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE, WOBBLING AND SHAKING AND HOPPING. AFTER THEY HAD IT FOR THE FOURTH TIME, AND THEY HAD REMOVED THE SEMI TRUCK TIRES AND WHEELS AND REPLACED THEM WITH REGULAR TIRES AND WHEELS, I WAS TEST DRIVING IT ON A 4-LANE DIVIDED ROAD AND THE WHEELS STARTED SHAKING SO BADLY THEY CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY THROWING ME AROUND IN THE SEAT OF THE CAB AND THEN THE TRUCK LOST THE ABILITY TO BE CONTROLLED AND LEAPED INTO THE OTHER LANE. IF I HAD BEEN ON AN UNDIVIDED ROAD AND THERE HAD BEEN ON-COMING VEHICLES I COULD HAVE HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION. I HAVE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND I WROTE THEM. THE SECRETARY CONFIRMED HE GAVE THE LETTER TO THE MANAGER, WARREN MILLER. MY MILLER DID NOT EVEN GIVE ME THE COURTESY OF A REPLY. DODGE DEALERS ARE CONTINUING TO DO THESE ALTERATIONS TO THEIR VEHICLES I