Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2009 Dodge Ram — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
13
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3 | 23% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 2 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 15% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 15% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 8% | — flat |
| Engine | 1 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 8% | ▼ down |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.
Consequence
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 36,793 MY 2009 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL (MTC) ONLY. THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING MODULE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING FUNCTIONS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence
THIS CAN DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 3, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.
Defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,364 WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES, P/N 55077098AJ, SOLD DURING THE 2008 AND 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 2002-2009 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER CAPABILITY.
Consequence
WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 65,896 MY 2008-2009 LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence
WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 504 MY 2009 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 PICKUP TRUCKS HEAVY DUTY CAB CHASSIS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDAL PACKAGE. THE CLUTCH PEDAL CONNECTING ROD TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS MAY NOT ALLOW DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT.
Consequence
INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V005000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS RECALL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE…”
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN); and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be inspected, and it was confirmed that the vehicle qualified for the buyback option under the recall. After contacting the dealer…”
“ALUMINUM VALVE STEM/TPMS SENSORS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS CORRODED AND FAILED AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING TWO FLAT FRONT TIRES AND LOSS OF STEERING. PROCEEDED TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE ALL (4) VALVE STEMS AND (2) FRONT TIRES REPLACED. REPAIR PERSONNEL INFORMED US THAT THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC. ACCORDING TO THEM,…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTIVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH THE FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT STATE IF ANYONE WAS INJURED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER,…”
“SEATBELT IN TRUCK CAUGHT THE DOOR HANDLE AND LOCKED SO YOU CANNOT PULL OUT MORE BELT TO GET IT OFF THE HANDLE. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE DOOR HANDLE TO BE PARTIALLY LIFTED WHICH AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKS AND OPENS THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN MOTION. EVEN WITH THE DOOR CRACKED OPENAS FAR AS…”
The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (3 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Dodge Ram. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1998, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 1992, 2004, 1993, 2003, 1991. The cleanest record among Ram years belongs to 2011.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.