DodgeRAM 3500 Pickup20085.9L/dodge/ram-3500-pickup/2008/5-9l/
D1 platform

2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Pickup — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 RAM 3500 Pickup 5.9L.

Engine 5.9L

The 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 represents the mature expression of the D1 platform generation, equipped with the 5.9L turbocharged inline-six diesel that defined this era of heavy-duty trucks—a powerplant requiring 12 quarts of 5W-40 viscosity oil at each service interval. This particular model year accumulates 11 recalls across its service history alongside 173 documented owner complaints, with Steering representing the primary concern among reported issues. For reliability researchers, the 2008 RAM 3500 presents a complex data set where the proven durability of the 5.9L drivetrain architecture stands against a documented complaint profile that notably concentrates in chassis and steering systems—suggesting that while the powertrain itself has earned its reputation, buyers should exercise particular scrutiny regarding suspension and steering components when evaluating this model year.

Model year2009200820072006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity12 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque145 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05083285AA alt 68218940AD
Engine air filter53034051AB alt 53034249AA
Fuel filter68001914AB alt 05183410AA
Spark plug68303913AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53041138AE alt 53041139AE
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68534176AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length218.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight4295 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 12 qt w/ filter of 5W-40 engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 37.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts145 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65 DIESEL
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 DIESEL cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression350
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs / 145 ft-lbs
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.012 in / 0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 1.535 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 1.535 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miRadiator Fan Clutch (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 67,500 miEGR Valve (clean) · EGR Valve Cooler (clean) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Pickup dominate in one area — the steering, 69 of 173 reports (40%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the steering, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 9 of the reports describe a crash and 14 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
52
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
173
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 14 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 173 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering69
Air Bags15
Steering,Suspension14
Engine & Engine Cooling13
Electrical System7
Tires6
Suspension5
Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V352000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be…

15V313000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/05/2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1203000003 REV.A2026-06-26Service BrakesTrac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
1037742025-05-01Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 3500 Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 RAM 3500 Pickup 5.9L take?

12 qt w/ filter of SYNTHETIC 5W-40 CG-4, CH-4, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 RAM 3500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.