DODGE RAM 5500 · model year

2009 DODGE RAM 5500

8 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009DODGERAM 5500 carries 8 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 RAM 5500 is steering with 5 filings, followed by engine (1) and suspension (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2009 RAM 5500, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

8
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

8 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING5
ENGINE1
SUSPENSION1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (3)

15V31300027/05/2015

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, 2005-2

16V35200024/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, 2

13V52700006/11/2013

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Recent Complaints

20150821STEERING

7/21/15 TOOK TRUCK TO RAM DEALER FOR RECALL R-16 DEALER STATED IT ALSO HAS R-25 RECALL, TRUCK STILL HAS VIBRATION AT 55 MPH AND NOW IT WILL DRIFT LEFT AND RIGHT CALLED DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME TO HAVE MY TIRES CHECKED, 7/30/15 CALLED CHRYSLER HOTLINE WAS TOLD NO OPEN RECALLS I TOLD HER I HAD IT IN FOR REPAIR BUT IT STILL WASN'T RIGHT SHE SAID THEY NEED TO CORRECT PROBLEM ON THEIR DIME. 7/30/15 CALLED DEALER, SERVICE MANAGER HAD QUIT NEED TO CALL ON 8/3/15 TO TALK TO NEW SERVICE MANAGER. 8/3/15 TALKED TO NEW SERVICE MANAGER TOLD HIM WHAT CHRYSLER SAID, HE SCHEDULED TO INSPECT TRUCK FOR 8/11/15 DROPPED TRUCK OFF ON 8/10/15 PUT KEY AND NOTE IN DROP BOX STATING SINCE AIRBAG WAS REPAIRED HORN AND CRUSE NO LONGER WORKED 8/16/15 HAVE NOT HEARD BACK 8/17/15 CALLED DEALER LEFT A MESSAGE TO CALL ME, 8/18/15 CALLED DEALER TALKED TO SERVICE MANAGER HE THOUGHT TRUCK HAD BEEN PICKED UP, SAID HE WOULD CHECK AND CALL ME BACK. DEALER CALLED BACK SAID TECH HAD QUIT AND THEY CANT FIND THE K

Mileage: 155,741

20150804CrashSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20150804CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20150630STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

Mileage: 21,000

20150303STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20140204STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD SUDDENLY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. ..UPDATED 03-12-14 *BF

Mileage: 50,000

20130308FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY IGNITED INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

20120522STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) MAY 2011. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ELEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,847.

Mileage: 58,847

Compare 2009DODGERAM 5500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 DODGE RAM 5500 have?
The 2009 DODGE RAM 5500 has 8 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 DODGE RAM 5500?
Yes, the 2009 DODGE RAM 5500 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 DODGE RAM 5500?
The most-complained component for the 2009 DODGE RAM 5500 is STEERING with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2009 DODGE RAM 5500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.