2008 Dodge RAM 2500: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 7, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · CO

While driving the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and turned off. When this happened the steering column locked. It did not just loose power steering. The column itself entirely locked up. At this point the vehicle had no steering and limited breaking and went off the road. Thankfully it just went into a ditch and no damage was done. The vehicle turned right back on. The next day I recreated the problem on some friends property. I gave the keys in the ignition a small tug and the engine would stop and the steering column would lock. The ignition never rotated out of the on position and the key remained in the ignition. I recreated this probably 5 times and it did the same thing every time. I then brought it to the dealer but they didn't have the parts to repair it so I didn't have them look at it. I had to use the vehicle sooner then they could repair it to pull a camper about 1200 miles. I diagnosed the problem to be the ignition switch. I replaced the switch myself and the vehicle has not had the same problem since. I have given the keys in the ignition the same kind of tug and it is no longer a problem. I do have the switch available for inspection. I personally can totally understand the engine turning off due to an ignition switch failure but I believe the actual steering column locking is unacceptable.

Filed Oct 22, 2019 · Engine · 151,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 2500. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, lost power, failed to accelerate, and stalled. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and failed to restart. The contact stated that code: p1451 appeared. The failure recurred five times and the vehicle was towed to smolich motors (1865 ne hwy 20, bend, or 97701, (541) 389-1177). The dealer diagnosed that the diesel particulate filter tracked soot from the exhaust and the lower particulate emission system failed. The vehicle was repaired. A month later, the turbo system failed and was repaired by a diesel independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 138,000 miles · NM · crash

Tipm (total integrated power module) failed while driving vehicle. Vehicle lost engine power, power steering, and brakes. -ton trucks are very heavy and are near impossible to turn and control without power steering and do not stop without power brakes. I was able to maneuver vehicle to the side of the road with minimal damage to the body. I was lucky to not cause a bigger accident and lucky not to injure myself or anybody else. This tipm failure is very common with dodge vehicles and I am disgusted how chrysler-dodge has conducted themselves in regard to recalls and warranty. Had I been towing a trailer on the highway I would have certainly caused an accident. I fear this tipm failure will result in loss of life if it hasn't so already.

Filed Aug 4, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 34,000 miles · OR

Purchased our truck in june of 2010 from a local dodge dealer. The truck only had 23k and seemed to run okay besides getting crap gas mileage. In late october 2011 the check engine light came on but when we started it up the next morning the light was no longer illuminated.the light stayed off for about two weeks but then the vehicle started running poorly. It would randomly lose power when beginning to accelerate and make a sound almost like a backfire. The first couple of times it began to pick up speed after the initial hesitation but shortly after that the check engine light came on again and it wouldn't go above 10mph. We pulled off to the side of the road and turn it off. When the truck was restarted the light went off and it ran normally again. The truck was taken to the dealership the following day and we were told that even though our truck had less than 40k miles on it, the warranty had expired two weeks previously and they would not cover the cost to diagnose or repair it!!! We did not have the $ to do anything right then so out of desperation I began researching what could possibly be causing the issues with hopes of finding an inexpensive fix that we might be able to do on our own. This is when I learned that chrysler had issued two recalls, g30 - replace the oxygen sensor module & j35 - reprogram/update the ECM. Neither of these were mentioned to us at the dealership when we brought the vehicle nor when we brought it in with these issues and were turned away. I did find out that the re-programming and update had been completed on the truck 5/24/2010. However, I have also since read about many owners continuing to have the same issues after the required "fix" had been completed just as we have. We're left with a truck that's a hazard to drive and pray that it doesn't cut out in front of oncoming traffic while trying to get out onto a road or even worse.

Filed Dec 7, 2011 · Steering · 46,000 miles · NJ

Was attempting to back the truck up into driveway and had wheel turned all the way to the left. Heard a high pitched screech and then lost all power steering and was unable to move steering wheel. Had the truck towed to dealer to have repairs done on truck. Dealer stated that it was the power steering gear box again. This will be the third one replaced in the truck since 5/3/2011.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 39,461 miles · CT

I purchased a new dodge ram 2500 pick-up in march 2008. Within 5 weeks, vehicle started operating poorly. Check engine light would come on, truck would lose power, heavy black smoke from exhaust. Truck was brought back to dealership eight times in first six months. Dodge stated they could find no problems with vehicle. Problems continues and escalated. Truck continues to operate erratically. It has come to the point the vehicle loses all power and just shuts down while driving on the highway. This has occurred six times between november 2009 and december 2010. This is a serious safety issue! The truck has lost power and stopped on the iha and I narrowly missed being hit by tractor trailers. Dodge still refused to take this vehicle back or even acknowledge there is a serious safety problem!! Need your help to get dodge to do something to investigate and correct problem before someone is hurt or killed. *tr updated ivoq 12/06/11

Filed May 1, 2010 · Engine · 12,000 miles · FL

Vehicle has experienced sudden loss of power numerous times. Creates a hazardous safety situation when it's impossible to accelerate into/with traffic. Five attempts to repair this problem have been made since march, 2009.

Filed Oct 9, 2009 · Engine · 18,000 miles · AL

On my 2008 dodge ram 2500 diesel pickup truck sometimes when you accelerate, there is little to no response except black smoke billowing from the exhaust. You have to press the accelerator completely to the floor to get any response, and then it will only do maybe 5-10 MPH. Maximum. This happens at random times, and there seems to be no way to predict when it will happen. It happens from a stopped position, as well as accelerating to pass a vehicle at highway speeds. In the case of highway (passing a vehicle) speed, the engine will lose power, but will not completely quit. In either case, you must pull over, turn off the vehicle, and restart it for it to perform normally. This problem first began in late july, 2009. I took the truck to the dealer for repairs on august 14th. 2009. According to the work order (invoice), they replaced a particulate filter, and did a turbo test. The check engine light came back on about 3.5 miles after I left the dealer, and the truck was billowing heavy black smoke. When I took it back to the dealer for the same repair, I was told they were going to do the same thing. A new filter, and a turbo test. They did not have a filter in stock, so they did not make any repairs, and they told me they did not expect this to repair the problem anyway, as it had no affect the last time they did it. The latest incident occurred on october 8, 2009.