What's Wrong with the 4th Generation Ram 4500?

Front 3/4 view of a Dodge Ram 4500

The 4th generation Ram 4500 spans the 2008 to 2011 model years.

It has accumulated 3 owner complaints over those year and ranks 1st in reliability out of 54 eligible Dodge generations.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Dodge score is 12.28 while this generation comes in at 0.22.

The Worst 2008-2011 Ram 4500 Problems

  1. TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing with airbag control units (ACU) in certain Dodge Ram trucks.

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  2. Dodge Vehicles With Recalled Takata Airbags

    Takata, a parts supplier, provided automakers with a defective airbag inflator responsible for 23 deaths and hundreds of injuries. It's one of the largest and most dangerous recalls in automotive history, affecting over 37 million vehicles …

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  3. Ram Death Wobble

    Dodge Ram trucks are susceptible to a horrible front end vibration known as the death wobble, but what is it and how to FIX it?…

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What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks

Years to Avoid

4th Generation Ram 4500 Key Numbers

  1. 2 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 3 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 1st in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

Recent 4th Generation Ram 4500 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. When the engine is running, your vehicle's alternator helps charge the battery and supplies additional power to the vehicle's electrical systems.

    But for 86,000 Dodge Ram (and RAM) trucks it's also supplying something else – electrical shorts and fires. #notafeature

    "Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) says the problem occurs with the alternator near maximum amperage in hot temperatures, conditions more likely to be experienced with corporate fleet vehicles compared to typical consumer driving."…

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