2009 Ram 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2009 Ram 3500 has a complaint index of 13, ranking 14th out of 16 model years by risk, meaning it's among the lower-complaint years for this model. It has 3 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls, one of which is a do-not-drive airbag recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 13/100
- #14 of 16 3500 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2009 Ram 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes1 (33%)
- Steering1 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can develop a severe high-speed wobble that owners describe as hard to control at highway speeds.
- Hydraulic brake booster failure has caused sudden loss of braking while driving on the freeway, with one case reported around 90,000 miles.
- Transmission has been reported to downshift unexpectedly through multiple gears while descending a hill, accompanied by a brake system warning light, in a case reported around 8,000 miles.
- Some drivers report needing to power the vehicle off and on again to restore normal transmission operation after an unexpected downshift event.
2009 Ram 3500 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- NHTSA 16V739000Oct 13, 2016Electrical System74,811 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
2009 compared with other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Ram 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows only 3 complaints for the 2009 Ram 3500 and a complaint index of 13, which ranks 14th out of 16 model years, so this year has fewer reported problems than most other 3,500 model years.
- Does the 2009 Ram 3500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Ram 3500, including one do-not-drive airbag recall and one electrical system recall involving the alternator.
- What is the top reported problem area for the 2009 Ram 3500?
- Brakes are listed as the top problem area, tied with steering, suspension/wheels/tires, and transmission & powertrain, each accounting for 33% of the 3 reported complaints.
- Should I avoid the 2009 Ram 3500?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Ram 3500 is not flagged as an Avoid year; its complaint index of 13 is one of the lowest among the 16 model years covered.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2009 Ram 3500?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints for the 2009 Ram 3500 is 49,000 miles, though individual brake failures were reported around 90,000 miles and a transmission issue around 8,000 miles.