2009 Dodge RAM 4500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 50.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Steering: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
2012: 1; 2016: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10882821 · 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
1ST TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS UNDER 36 THOUSAND MILES,, TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START OR MAKE A SOUND,, HAD IT TOWED TO BOB WILLIAMS DODGE IN ROME GA.,,WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE SECOND TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED I WAS SITTING STILL WITH TRUCK IDILING IN A PARKING LOT FOR 3 OR 4 MINUTES THEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF AND I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND BURNT PLASTIC,,, HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO ED VOYLES IN MARIETTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE MAIN WIRING HARN…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882929 · 2016-07-06 (July 6, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 4500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE WIRES BURNED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND PLUG HEAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470643 · 2012-08-14 (August 14, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 4 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WAS TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT A RECALL APPLIED TO THE CONTACT'S VIN UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:10V657000(STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS REPAIRED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO MAKE THE RECALL REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE FOR A SECOND TIME. …
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10819748 · 2016-01-12 (January 12, 2016)
MY SUSPENSION/STEERING SNAPPED AND THE DEALER WILL NOT RELEASES THE VEHICLE TO ME AND TOLD ME TO CALL DODGE SINCE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON IT. I HAVE CALLED 3 TIMES AND NOBODY CALLS BACK. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2015.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10819748 at NHTSA ↗