2009 Dodge Ram 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 105 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (58% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Hash shifting during acceleration and deceleration and aggressive braking during decelerating...was only doing this during acceleration in the beginning but now does it all the time . This has not left me stranded yet but, I feel like this is going to be a major problem if this problem does not get remedied soon . Started doing this about a month ago or so..”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2024
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the rear axle locked up and caused the vehicle to skid. The contact called shields motor co inc., (814 w cherry st, chanute, ks 66720, (620)-431-0483), and was informed to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The technician stated that the failure was a known issue and that it was unsafe to drive the vehicle. The technician suggested that the vehicle be towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,503.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2020
“On 11/25/19 about 3 am the horn got stuck in the on position and nothing was labeled in the fuse box or manual (book) what is the solution? My truck has only 40,012 miles, I'm totally surprised about this problem, and I was considering buying another dodge ram truck!!!! Track was parked”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
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“I was in a bad wreck on the freeway going freeway speed 60mph I hit a jersey barrier that caused me to roll my truck and not one of my airbags went off this accident happened in september 2018 I shattered my collarbone due to hitting the steering wheel and have had surgery's done and my collarbone will never be the same”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
“Driver side entry assist hand hold breaks and allows driver to fall backwards when trying to use to enter vehicle. Brake line failure from fluid holder to ABS distribution block rust out and releases brake fluid and pedal goes to floor and will not stop vehicle. Brake hoses deteriorates and does not allow caliper to release and causes overheat problems with poor steering when brake is applied”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 55 mph, the windshield wipers intermittently failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced any failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Pilson auto center in charleston, il has failed to remedy the situation. When the recall was first issued we called the dealership and they said they would put our vehicle on a list and we have yet to hear from them. When I called the dealership they said we were still on a list and that they would call us.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Driving down the frwy at required speed when rt rear pass tire blew causing extensive damage to the wheel, rt rear panel & tailpipe. This tire had 3,000 mi. On it & we had chkd psig on all tires just previous to the blowout. This tire was a lt265/70r-17/10 terramax ht all position owl made by dynamic tire. Les schwab replaced it with one just like it. We had a 4,000lb arctic fox cab over camper on the truck at the time. Dynamic states there is not enough evidence of poor quality or anything else that would name them as the responsible party.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2016
“When using the left turn signal, both signal lights would become active on the tail lights, but only show left turn on the dash. When using the right turn, no light would work at all. Turned out to be the turn signal multifunction switch, which after searching also can affect the head lights working or not, and windshield wipers. I have checked on the internet forums and have found this happening on many dodges, mostly 2006 and newer.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
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 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
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 notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
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 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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 affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,782 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE. THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. ALSO THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING THE BRACKET MAY YIELD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 105 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. The most complained-about area is steering (58% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,529 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.