YearToAvoid

2008 Ram 5500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2008 Ram 5500 has zero NHTSA owner complaints and a complaint index of 0, ranking 15th (best) among the 15 model years with data. It has one recall, for an alternator issue affecting 2008-2013 Ram 4500 and 5,500 Cab Chassis trucks.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#15 of 15 5500 years
Verdict
No verdict
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
0
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
—
Best nearby year
2014
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)

Top 2008 Ram 5500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

No component data.

2008 Ram 5500 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V739000Oct 13, 2016Electrical System74,811 vehicles

    Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.

    Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

2008 compared with other 5500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’08’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008No verdict001—
2009No verdict2902 !—
2013No verdict2149—

All Ram 5500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Ram 5500 reliable?
NHTSA lists zero owner complaints for the 2008 Ram 5500, and its complaint index of 0 ranks 15th out of 15 model years with data, the lowest complaint volume of any year.
Does the 2008 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall. Campaign 16V739000 covers an alternator replacement on 2008-2013 Ram 4500 and 5,500 Cab Chassis trucks due to an electrical system issue.
What year Ram 5500 should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, 2018, 2020, and 2022 carry Avoid verdicts, with complaint indexes of 79, 93, and 86 respectively. The 2008 model year is not one of the years to avoid.
Is the 2008 Ram 5500 better than newer model years?
By complaint index, yes. The 2008 model shows an index of 0 versus higher indexes in later years such as 93 for 2020 and 100 for 2025.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.