Total Complaints
4 filings
RAM 3500 · model year
2009 RAM 3500
4 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009RAM3500 carries 4 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 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 3500 is steering with 1 filings, followed by suspension (1) and service brakes (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 2 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 3 investigation files overlapping the 2009 3500, and 2 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.
4
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
Recalls (2)
16V73900013/10/2016
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.
18V02100009/01/2018
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,
Recent Complaints
20190613POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DOWN A HILL, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED FROM SIXTH TO FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO FARM PRICE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (354 UT-55, PRICE, UT 84501, (435) 637-3360) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER (FLETCHER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 3099 N MORTON ST, FRANKLIN, IN 46131, (317) 738-4170) WHERE A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS PRESENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOWNSHIFTING WAS NORMAL WHEN TRAVELING DOWN A HILL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Mileage: 8,000
20171104SERVICE BRAKES
BREAKS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. EMERGENCY STOP LUCKY NOT MANY CARS ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME. THE HYDRO BREAK BOOSTER WENT OUT. THIS WAS RECALLED ON TRUCKS MANUFACTURED EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THE PRODUCTION DATE OF MY TRUCK. NEARLY CRASHED AT HIGHWAY SPENDS.
Mileage: 90,000
20170918STEERING
IT HAS A DEATH WOBBLE SO BAD MY WIFE JUST ABOUT LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AS WE WHERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES A HOUR.
20170918SUSPENSION
IT HAS A DEATH WOBBLE SO BAD MY WIFE JUST ABOUT LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AS WE WHERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES A HOUR.
Compare 2009RAM3500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2009 RAM 3500 have?▼
The 2009 RAM 3500 has 4 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 RAM 3500?▼
Yes, the 2009 RAM 3500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 RAM 3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 2009 RAM 3500 is STEERING with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2009 RAM 3500 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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.