RoadVitals

2009 Dodge Ram

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Apr 9, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Dec 24, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Dodge Ram, most frequently naming the steering, powertrain (other) and fuel system categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering323.1%
  • Powertrain (other)215.4%
  • Fuel system215.4%
  • Seat belts17.7%
  • Suspension17.7%
  • Engine17.7%
  • Tires & wheels17.7%
  • Interior & seats17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Dec 24, 2010
15,271 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER GROUP LLCManufacturer number K28View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jan 11, 2010
20,045 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER GROUP LLCManufacturer number J37View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

May 8, 2009
36,793 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 36,793 MY 2009 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL (MTC) ONLY. THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING MODULE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING FUNCTIONS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
The risk: THIS CAN DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 3, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.
CHRYSLER LLCManufacturer number J12View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE11009ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Outer Tie Rod Failure

Opened Apr 4, 2011
Closed Feb 6, 2012

ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLYLed to recall 11V350000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN); and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be inspected, and it was confirmed that the vehicle qualified for the buyback option under the recall. After contacting the dealer and manufacturer to initiate the buyback process, the recall process was not completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall resolution and buyback. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11653639
Incident
Apr 9, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket had detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket. The contact was informed that the rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that about five years prior, the front fuel tank metal strap mounting bracket was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11605710
Incident
Jul 24, 2024
Mileage
180,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 22, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that an abnormal, ticking noise would emit from the vehicle upon startup without warning. He also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the engine would rev without warning. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact believed that the failure was related to a defective exhaust manifold. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11444690
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND THE SERVICE NEEDED WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE RIM, THE REAR AND FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES, AND A REPLACEMENT RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10467016
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
78,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Mar 27, 2012

ALUMINUM VALVE STEM/TPMS SENSORS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS CORRODED AND FAILED AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING TWO FLAT FRONT TIRES AND LOSS OF STEERING. PROCEEDED TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE ALL (4) VALVE STEMS AND (2) FRONT TIRES REPLACED. REPAIR PERSONNEL INFORMED US THAT THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC. ACCORDING TO THEM, IN 2010, MANUFACTURERS BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND BEGAN USING RUBBER VALVE STEM/TPMS SENSORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10453252
Incident
Mar 19, 2012
Mileage
40,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 8, 2011

AFTER BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, AT AN APPROX. SPEED OF 1 MPH, I TURNED THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT TO RUN AN ERRAND, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD END BROKE. THE DRAG LINK DROPPED AND THE WHEEL COCKED TO THE FULL LEFT. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAUSED ANY OTHER DAMAGE. I SPOKE WITH THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. UNFORTUNATELY I NEED THIS VEHICLE AND HAD TO ORDER A NEW TIE ROD END AT A COST OF $116.00. BEARING ANY OTHER DAMAGE, I WILL ALSO HAVE TO GET AN ALIGNMENT, AT AN UNKNOWN COST AT THIS TIME. THANK GOD THAT I HAD NOT BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS PART DECIDED TO FAIL, BECAUSE I AM SURE THE OUTCOME WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10424295
Incident
Sep 8, 2011
Mileage
47,985 mi
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jan 4, 2011

SEATBELT IN TRUCK CAUGHT THE DOOR HANDLE AND LOCKED SO YOU CANNOT PULL OUT MORE BELT TO GET IT OFF THE HANDLE. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE DOOR HANDLE TO BE PARTIALLY LIFTED WHICH AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKS AND OPENS THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN MOTION. EVEN WITH THE DOOR CRACKED OPENAS FAR AS THE BELT WILL ALLOW THE BELT WILL NOT RELEASE THE HANDLE AND ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN MORE THEN A FEW INCHES. IF THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT A PERSON COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT WITHOUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO CUT THE SEATBELT OR BREAK A WINDOW. SO FAR THIS HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE WE WILL TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DODGE DEALER TOMORROW FOR NOW NO ONE RIDES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I SUSPECT THE SEATBELT WILL NEED TO BE UNBOLTED FROM THE FLOOR TO UNHOOK THE BELT OFF THE DOOR HANDLE. I DO HAVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE AND THE ISSUE CAN BE REPLICATED ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10374055
Incident
Jan 3, 2011
Mileage
12,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 18, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTIVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH THE FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT STATE IF ANYONE WAS INJURED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8000.

NHTSA ID
10320679
Incident
Feb 27, 2010
Mileage
8,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CSN-L04

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DODGE: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INGRESSION IN OUTER TIE ROD ENDS. *PE

SB-14-001-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

DODGE: ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR (FCA) AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE/NEW DIAGNOSTICS AVAILABLE FOR DTC P0251. ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE OR MIL ILLUMINATION. FURTHER INVESTIGATION MAY IDENTIFY DTC P0251-CP3 PUMP REGULATOR CONTROL-DIESEL. IF P0251 IS PRESENT, FOLLOW THE DIAGNOSTICS IN THIS SB. IF OTHER DTC'S ARE PRESENT, REPAIR AS NECESSARY BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER. MODEL RAM TRUCK. *PE

RT-09-064

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

DODGE/CHRYSLER: WIRE HARNESS ROUTING. A NUMBER OF VEHICLES SHIPPED WITH AN ENGINE WIRE HARNESS ROUTED ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE PCV TUBE. DEALERS ARE REQUIRED TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE HARNESS PROPERLY. *PE

TSB-09-041

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

CHRYSLER: DODGE-APPROXIMATELY 125,182 VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH ESP SALES CODE (BNB ) HAVE A CONDITION THAT MAY SET THE ABS, ESP, AND/OR BASE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ON IN THE CLUSTER WITH CODE C2200. DEALERS ARE REQUIRED TO FLASH THE ABS MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE. *PE

SB-09-002-09

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

DODGE: REVISED DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR DTC P2262-TURBOCHARGER BOOST PRESSURE NOT DETECTED-MECHANICAL. RECENT PCM CALIBRATION UPDATES HAVE IMPROVED THE ROBUSTNESS TO THIS DTC THROUGH UPDATED DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGIES. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011041
2010275159.7
2009Viewing961
2008254156.1
2007174049.2
2006254046.7
2005405053.1
2004587261.0
2003537159.0
20021166158.4
200131814162.0
200014711163.4
199936613056.1
199848317057.4
199739811565.2
199662514966.6
1995611161066.9
1994469221366.6
1993541247.9
1992582153.5
1991513258.5
1990230044.4
1989280042.6
1988220042.6
1987180029.9
1986180049.3
1985100041.8
1984200
1983100
1982000
1981200
1980000
1979300
1977200
1976100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.