2009 RAM 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jan 21, 2024 · 5 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 2500 years
Not enough data 15th of 18 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 RAM 2500. That ranks 15th out of 18 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (4 complaints, 80%), typically at around 161,000 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2009 RAM 2500 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Steering4 · ~161,000 mi
Suspension4 · ~161,000 mi
Engine1
Service Brakes1
Unknown or Other1
Wheels1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering480%161,000——
Suspension480%161,000——
Engine120%———
Service Brakes120%———
Unknown or Other120%———
Wheels120%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2021, with 2 complaints
2019: 1201912021: 2202122022: 1202212024: 120241

n = 5 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2009 RAM 2500 recalls (1)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 328,177 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

We have experienced the "death wobble" twice now in our 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. It is a documented issue with Dodge trucks and associated with multiple prior recalls. At highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly begins shaking violently and uncontrollably, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle…

Suspension · received Jan 21, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11566838

My steering shakes violently and my front end feels like he's going in a different direction than the back end. I've owned this 2009 since 2010. I've paid for at least 3 front end rebuilds. Surely there is an aftermarket or fix for this? Its the Cummins 6.7L, 2500. I want to fix this only ONE more…

Steering · received May 21, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11465576

Dodge death wobble. Hit a bridge gap almost lost control. Definitely in the front end suspension or linkage? Recall other vins not mine in the same year? Not confirmed yet. Needs to have same recalls as the others 2009 dodge ram 2500 5.7 Hemi big horn.

Service Brakes · received Nov 22, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11441404

My truck was running fine then started to skip and lost power. It was dangerous because i was on the interstate and the truck would not go. People were honking and flying ar0und me was very disturbing. Seems this has been a problem for awhile talking to other Dodge owners a valve spring or lifter…

Engine · received Jul 23, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11426203

I have a 2009 ram 2500 4wheel drive. I can not use the vehicle due to the following; at speeds over 35 mph the front suspension tends to experience a severe shaking that is caused by a rapid lateral oscillation of the entire axle and suspension assembly. This condition occurs when crossing an…

Steering · received Jul 14, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11231697

Other RAM 2500 years

2010 2500 →

See all RAM 2500 problems by year, every RAM model, or the RAM VIN decoder.

Similar RAM models

Embed this 2009 RAM 2500 badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 RAM 2500?

Owners most often report steering, suspension, engine problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2009 RAM 2500?

Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2009 RAM 2500 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 2500 model years, the 2009 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.