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#BS-2009-DODRAM-1706

2009 Dodge Ram 3500Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 134 owners and 8 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026

Complaints
134
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Recalls
8
TSBs
223
🟡

Preliminary Verdict

Think Twice

Based on 134 complaints, 9 crashes, 2 fires, and 8 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

death wobble

3 complaints • Severity 9.3/10

$X,XXX
2

blend door broken

1 complaints • Severity 8/10

$X,XXX
3

rust on engine and major components

1 complaints • Severity 6/10

$X,XXX
4

water in fuel with no warnings

1 complaints • Severity 10/10

$X,XXX
5

dpf cracked

1 complaints • Severity 10/10

$X,XXX

Preview: What's in your full report

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Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the SteeringHIGH

66 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 49K miles.

!Inspect the AirbagsMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

Failure Timeline by Mileage

19
0–30K
26
30–60K
13
60–90K
9
90–120K
5
120–150K
2
150K+

Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (26 reports) • Median: 49K miles

Full report: which components fail at each mileageUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Steering (66 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Steering66 (49%)
Airbags12 (9%)
Suspension12 (9%)
Electrical6 (4%)
Brakes6 (4%)
Drivetrain5 (4%)
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly5 (4%)
Other5 (4%)

2009 Dodge Ram 3500: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Steering Issues

Steering complaints account for 49% of all reports filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500, with 66 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 48,600 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 49K-mile mark.

Airbags Issues

Airbags complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Suspension Issues

Suspension complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Electrical Issues

Electrical complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500, with 6 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

1
09
4
10
15
11
2
12
1
13
56
14
22
15
12
16
9
17
5
19
4
20
2
24
1
25

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. Recent trend: decreasing.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

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Recall History (8 recalls)

09V005000Feb 2009

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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 DAMPER ATTACHING THE BRACKET MAY YIELD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE.

09V434000Dec 2009

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHEVROLET W5500, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 DODGE 3500, MODEL YEAR 2009 MIGHTY MOVER, MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 FORD E-250, E-350 AND E-450, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 GMC W4500, MODEL YEAR 2007 INTERNATIONAL 4300, MODEL YEAR 2009 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

11V350000Oct 2011

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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 MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.

13V529000Jan 2014

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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.

15V313000Do Not DriveJun 2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

+ 3 more recalls in the full report

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (3)

1 investigation still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.

AQ14003ClosedOpened Oct 2014 · closed May 2016

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

EA21002OpenOpened Sep 2021

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

PE11009ClosedOpened Apr 2011 · closed Feb 2012

Outer Tie Rod Failure

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

The worst model year for the Dodge Ram 3500 is the 2003 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is accessories - interior.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 134 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 8 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026.

Other Dodge Ram 3500 Model Years

2012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991
View all Dodge Ram 3500 years →

2009 Dodge Ram 3500: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500?
The most commonly reported issue with the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 is related to the steering, with 66 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
The 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 has 134 complaints, 9 crash reports, and 2 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 have any recalls?
Yes, the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 has 8 recalls on record. At least one is a critical “Do Not Drive” recall. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Dodge Ram 3500 problems start?
Based on 74 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 48,600 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 30–60K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 30, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 28, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 134 owner reports. Know before you buy.

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