2009 Dodge RAM 5500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,424 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 7 complaints (71.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 57.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 5 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Steering: 5; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Suspension: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 4
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10459256 · 2012-05-22 (May 22, 2012)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,847 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502112 · 2013-03-08 (March 8, 2013)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562940 · 2014-02-04 (February 4, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691879 · 2015-03-03 (March 3, 2015)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10691879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731201 · 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)
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. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10746039 · 2015-08-04 (August 4, 2015)
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 20,00…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10746039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10750424 · 2015-08-21 (August 21, 2015)
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 HI…
Owner-reported narrative. 155,741 miles reported. Look up ODI 10750424 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V527000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)
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.
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. 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 market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is R16.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V313000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)
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, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V352000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
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, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Consequence: 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 resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗