2009 Dodge RAM 2500 Steering Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 19, 2025 · 155 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500, 72% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “tie rod” (25% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Tie rod: mentioned in 38 of 155 complaints (25%)
  • Unable provide expected: mentioned in 12 of 155 complaints (8%)
  • N49 13V: mentioned in 11 of 155 complaints (7%)
  • Ball stud: mentioned in 10 of 155 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do steering problems happen?

Based on 51 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 2%
10k–25k miles4 · 8%
25k–50k miles17 · 33%
50k–75k miles11 · 22%
75k–100k miles13 · 25%
100k–150k miles3 · 6%
150k+ miles2 · 4%

How serious are the reports?

Of 155 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 4 an injury.

Dodge RAM 2500 steering complaints by model year

Peak: 2006, with 231 complaints
1995: 141995141996: 20201997: 101997101998: 24241999: 361999362000: 38382001: 692001692002: 20202003: 15920031592004: 1401402005: 15320051532006: 2312312007: 19920071992008: 1751752009: 15520091552010: 1521522011: 21020112102012: 109109

n = 1,914 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSteering complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2012 RAM 250010939%42,300
2011 RAM 250021070%38,500
2010 RAM 250015264%38,000
2009 RAM 250015572%60,000
2008 RAM 250017555%60,000
2007 RAM 250019955%66,561
2006 RAM 250023134%89,000
2005 RAM 250015336%95,925
2004 RAM 250014024%90,340
2003 RAM 250015924%86,079
2002 RAM 25002013%84,500
2001 RAM 25006915%50,000
2000 RAM 25003818%50,520
1999 RAM 25003612%49,000
1998 RAM 25002411%116,000
1997 RAM 2500105%—
1996 RAM 2500207%203,000
1995 RAM 2500145%100,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 105 complaints
2009: 1200912010: 1201012011: 6201162012: 6201262013: 6201362014: 10520141052015: 182015182016: 3201632017: 4201742018: 1201812019: 2201922020: 1202012023: 120231

n = 155 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Steering:linkages:tie rod assemblyNov 6, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V529000 · 271,733 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Steering:linkages:tie rod assemblyJul 6, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V350000 · 242,780 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Steering:linkages:tie rod assemblyJan 9, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V005000 · 32,782 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could result in a loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle in one direction increasing the risk of a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 20-60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle, the steering column, and the steering wheel were shuddering significantly. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the failure…

Received Sep 13, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11544367

Vehicle sways back and forth due to steering linkage

Received Aug 31, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11352235

Uncontrollable steering or front end wobbling. Aka death wobble, according to my vehicle history there are recalls that are for steering and the description of all those recalls say what could happen which is a loss of steering control resulting in a crash. All the recalls that i know of have been…

Received May 1, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11204944

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2009 Dodge RAM 2500s have steering problems?

No. NHTSA has 155 owner complaints about steering for the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500 (72% of the 214 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500 steering?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do steering problems start?

The median reported mileage is 60,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about steering problems on the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500?

The most frequent phrase is “tie rod”, in 38 of 155 complaints, followed by “unable provide expected” (12).

See all 2009 Dodge RAM 2500 problems or steering problems across all RAM 2500 years.