2009 Dodge Ram 2500 problems & reliability
214 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500, alongside 5 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
4 complaints report injuries (5 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 155 | 72% |
| Air Bags | 16 | 7% |
| Suspension | 15 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 10 | 5% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 4% |
| Power Train | 6 | 3% |
| Unknown OR Other | 6 | 3% |
| Wheels | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 5 | 2% |
| Tires | 5 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 55,500 miles (middle 50% between 29,629 and 82,000 miles), based on 92 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust at start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the exhaust manifold bolts needed…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Mar 19, 2025
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the headlights flashed off and on, and the battery failed to remain charged. The contact diagnosed an electrical ground short, a low voltage to the intake air heater relay, and…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Sep 18, 2024
“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 increased significantly…”
Steering · filed Sep 13, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Audit Query AQ14003 · opened Oct 20, 2014 · closed May 16, 2016
- Outer Tie Rod Failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE11009 · opened Apr 4, 2011 · closed Feb 6, 2012 · led to recall 11V350000
Technical service bulletins
42 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The 10 most recent:
Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026
LAMP - DOME
103774 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2025
Plate - Planetary
101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 30, 2024
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2023
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2023
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number…
9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2021
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2009 Dodge Ram 2500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 55,500 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.