2009 Dodge Ram 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (56) · Air Bags (11) · Suspension (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
50 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-201
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 replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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,
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-782
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V529000 · 271,733 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2011-07-06 · campaign 11V350000 · 242,780 vehicles
Defect: 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 CUSTO
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (39)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Electrical System 2025-05-01 · 103774 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, 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 library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Showing the 6 most recent of 39 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-22 · Service Brakes“the frame is completely rotted from wheel well to wheel well on both sides of vehicle frame was completely rotted thru with judge holes completely rusted thru the vehicle was sold with no brakes sold to me and with dog chain holding the gas tank in place because fuel straps were rotted thru and bad wheel bearing that was ready to seize or will fall…”
2024-11-14 · Service Brakes“hash shifting during acceleration and deceleration and aggressive braking during decelerating...was only doing this during acceleration in the beginning but now does it all the time . this has not left me stranded yet but, i feel like this is going to be a major problem if this problem does not get remedied soon . started doing this about a month a…”
2020-07-11 · Air Bags · 68,000 mi“i was in a bad wreck on the freeway going freeway speed 60mph i hit a jersey barrier that caused me to roll my truck and not one of my airbags went off this accident happened in september 2018 i shattered my collarbone due to hitting the steering wheel and have had surgery's done and my collarbone will never be the same…”
2020-05-22 · Power Train:axle Assembly · 110,503 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the rear axle locked up and caused the vehicle to skid. the contact called shields motor co inc., (814 w cherry st, chanute, ks 66720, (620)-431-0483), and was informed to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the rac…”
2020-02-28 · Suspension · 99,126 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated that when he pulled into a parking lot and made two quick turns, the steering wheel malfunctioned and the drag link detached from the vehicle. the contact was a truck mechanic and believed that the part was defective. the contact was concerned that if the toe link had detach…”
2019-11-30 · Electrical System“on 11/25/19 about 3 am the horn got stuck in the on position and nothing was labeled in the fuse box or manual (book) what is the solution? my truck has only 40,012 miles, i'm totally surprised about this problem, and i was considering buying another dodge ram truck!!!! track was parked…”
2019-06-20 · Suspension · 114,215 mi“my 2011 mega cab 3500 was purchased in nov of 2018 with only approx. 110k miles on odometer. after a short while of driving, a vibration started getting worse up until i took to a dealer at approx. 114k for a check on toe & alignment. it ended up being a total repair of upper & lower u-joints & ball joints. also had to replace driver's mirror-had s…”
2017-08-17 · Steering · 128,000 mi“two issues: 1: knocking sound when turning at parking lot speeds. i've replaced bushings, linkages, ball joints, and nothing helped. i replaced wheel hub assemblies and the knocking is reduced, but not fixed. shop owners that drive the same truck say they've spent thousands of dollars on their own vehicles and can't pinpoint the front end noises ei…”
2017-06-16 · Unknown Or Other · 43,000 mi“driver side entry assist hand hold breaks and allows driver to fall backwards when trying to use to enter vehicle. brake line failure from fluid holder to abs distribution block rust out and releases brake fluid and pedal goes to floor and will not stop vehicle. brake hoses deteriorates and does not allow caliper to release and causes overheat pr…”
2017-05-23 · Unknown Or Other · 148,983 mi“i purchased a vehicle in october 2014. the miles was advertised as 81,000. the title and all of the paperwork shows 81,000. the title does not show true miles unknown or it does not show not actual miles. the dodge dealership in covington, ga ran a carfax report of the vehicle in may 2017 and it had discrepancies of mileage rollback. based on c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.