2009 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

134 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Ram 3500, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 13/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Steering leads the reports, typically around 44,839 miles.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2009 Ram 3500 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

134Complaints
13/100Trouble index
7Recalls
48,600Typical trouble mileage

Better year

Where 2009 sits among all 3500 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Steering 71 complaints (53%) · typically ~44,839 miles
“Tl- the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that he attempted to have his vehicle repaired under nhtsa recall campaign number: 13v529000 (steering) but was informed that the parts were not available and that the dealers were receiving one part per week. The contact stated since…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 3500
Suspension 13 complaints (10%) · typically ~59,856 miles
Airbags 12 complaints (9%)
Electrical 9 complaints (7%) · typically ~63,175 miles
Transmission & drivetrain 6 complaints (4%)
Brakes & stability 6 complaints (4%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 74 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 48,600 miles. Half of those reports fall between 29,250 and 83,641 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (7)

AIR BAGS 18V021000 2018 Do not drive

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,…

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16V739000 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that…

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service…

AIR BAGS 16V352000 2016 Do not drive

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…

Fix: 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…

AIR BAGS 15V313000 2015 Do not drive

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,…

Fix: 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.…

STEERING 13V529000 2013

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.

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…

STEERING 11V350000 2011

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…

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…

STEERING 09V005000 2009

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…

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…

Federal defect investigations

Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture EA21002 opened September 17, 2021 · still open

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade,…

Model years named: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529 AQ14003 opened 2014, closed 2016
Outer Tie Rod Failure PE11009 opened 2011, closed 2012

Led to recall campaign 11V350000.

Technical service bulletins

200 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2009 Ram 3500. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2009 3500 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2009peak 56 in 20142025

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2009 Ram 3500 reliable?

The 2009 Ram 3500 drew 134 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 13/100, scored against the model's worst year (2018).

What are the most common 2009 Ram 3500 problems?

The top reported problems for the 2009 Ram 3500 are steering (71 complaints), suspension (13), and airbags (12).

At what mileage do 2009 Ram 3500 problems show up?

Owners most often report 2009 Ram 3500 problems around 48,600 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 29,250 and 83,641 miles.

Does the 2009 Ram 3500 have recalls?

7 recall campaigns apply to the 2009 Ram 3500. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.

← 2008 3500 All 3500 years 2010 3500 →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.