repaired · 2018 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or…
2009 Dodge RAM 2500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 214 owner complaints about the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-352 the manufacturer reports only 34% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 19, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500 has problems
214 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
155Steering5 crash/fire/injury
16Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
15Suspension
10Electrical system
9Engine and engine cooling
6Wheels
6Power train
5Tires
5Engine
2513 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 155 | 5 |
| Air bags | 16 | 2 |
| Suspension | 15 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 0 |
| Wheels | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 |
| 13 other systems | 25 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2009 Dodge RAM 2500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2015 Q1
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
60kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 51 steering complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 43% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
7under 30k miles46under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other RAM 2500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 2500 median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Dodge RAM 2500 safety ratings
2009 Dodge Ram 2500 4-DR. Mega Cab w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Dodge RAM 2500, and the recalls they led to.
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529No recall
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Outer Tie Rod FailureLed to recall 11V-350
In owners' words
What RAM 2500 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. REFERRED TO AS A DEATH WOBBLE. NEEDED TO SLOW TRUCK TO BRING IT BACK UNDER CONTROL.
Own a 2009 RAM 2500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.