2008 Dodge RAM 3500 electrical problems

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Electrical · 338,221 miles · AR

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 in November of 2023. The vehicle was purchased from the dealer, Louies Auto Sales (1514 E Main St, US Hwy 441, Leesburg, FL 34748). The contact stated when the vehicle was purchased the odometer indicated the mileage was 217,000. The contact attempted to sell the vehicle and the service document indicated that in 2011, the odometer reading was 338,221. The selling dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the dealer was no longer in business.

Filed Aug 27, 2023 · Electrical · NC

There seems to be a problem with the wiring harness in the steering column. Lights in the dash flash. You can turn the vehicle off and restart and it will stop. Sometimes the lights will start flashing again and sometimes not.

Filed Feb 7, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 1,200 miles · IL

Power loss occurs at anytime. All the time. Truck slows down to idle speed. Really bad when doing 70 on the interstate. Must shut engine off, press accelerator slowly for 5 times then restart engine. Electronic throttle controller has been replaced 6 times now. They all failed again between 7 and 40 miles. Have not been able to get it repaired.

Filed Aug 11, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 205,000 miles · CO

Tipm has went out on truck. Head lamps, blinkers do not work properly. Will replace tipm

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500 quad cab. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke underneath the dashboard. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The contact noticed loose wires under the steering wheel where the smoke was located. The contact pulled some wires apart and the smoke stopped. The installation on the wiring was burned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 245,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While driving, the instrument panel and exterior lighting illuminated brightly and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and discovered that the tipm was smoking and caused six unknown fuses to become inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and restarted. After the vehicle was restarted, it caught on fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 245,000.

Filed Dec 29, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 91,000 miles · MT · fire

On three different occasions, the tipm has failed on this truck. The first time the vehicle was under warranty. Second one happened in 2013. The third time in dec of 2015. All three times the motor quit in heavy traffic and the dashboard went off. The tipm box then started smoking. I disconnected the battery cables. On the third occasion, I was delayed by heavy traffic in getting to the battery cables. The truck was on a steep grade. The horn started honking, wipers and windshield sprayer activated, and then the vehicle tried to start itself and move forward. If I had been under the hood, I would have been run over. Also, this truck was pulling a trailer on a mountain pass with no power steering, brakes, or trailer brakes due to this problem and made this extremely dangerous.

Filed Sep 27, 2015 · Electrical · 172,000 miles · MS · fire

Arrived at lowes, left the truck running out front of the store while undloading riding mower to return. When we came back out vehicle had shut off and smoke coming from under the hood. Lifted the hood and noted fuse box smoking. Jumped back in truck and made sure engine turned off and key out of ingnition. While waiting for friends to towe the truck, wipers started horn and alarm started then car started up and took off across the parking lot. Luckily there were no vehicle or persons in front of the vehicle when this happened and was good thing we waited outside for friends instead of returning inside the store. My husband was able to jump in the truck, but without the key in the ignition he was unable to brake the truck or steer the truck, so because it was a manual he was able to get it out of gear and apply emergency brake. Sadly after this occurred I have discovered even more horrific incidences where this has happened to people while driving leaving them without steering or brakes. Dodge is aware of the problem and still no recall. I've even seen this described as a "common occurance".......really ! No crash or fatalities this time, but by the sound too many near misses and who knows how many have been caused by this problem.

Filed Sep 2, 2015 · Electrical · 621,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the odometer seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that "it was not public knowledge that when a truck got to 621,000, this problem occurred"; the instrument cluster and/or the electronic control module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 621,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 140,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 3500. When the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact mentioned that the failure only occurred in cold temperatures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clutch safety ignition interlock switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v795000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 140,000.