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2009 Dodge RAM 4500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2009 Dodge RAM 4500, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-352 the manufacturer reports only 34% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 34%Owner complaints42 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage30kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 6, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Dodge RAM 4500 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system21
Steering21
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2009 Dodge RAM 4500 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.

34%repaired · 2018 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 16V-352 · May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles · 1,599,545 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

41%repaired · 2017 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-313 · May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles · 1,644,105 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

66%repaired · 2016 Q3

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 13V-527 · Nov 6, 2013 · 36,151 vehicles · 23,803 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other RAM 4500 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 4500 median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Dodge RAM 4500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What RAM 4500 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 4500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE WIRES BURNED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND PLUG…
Complaint 10882929 · Jul 6, 2016 · 30,000 miles
1ST TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS UNDER 36 THOUSAND MILES,, TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START OR MAKE A SOUND,, HAD IT TOWED TO BOB WILLIAMS DODGE IN ROME GA.,,WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE SECOND TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED I WAS SITTING STILL WITH…
Complaint 10882821 · Jul 5, 2016 · 30,000 miles

Own a 2009 RAM 4500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.