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2009 Ram 3500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2009 Ram 3500. Most complaints involve power train (1) and service brakes (1).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
3
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V021000

Electrical system: alternator

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 13, 2016NHTSA 16V739000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2017 – Jun 2019
  1. Power train1
  2. Service brakes1
  3. Steering1
  4. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 3500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20076
20084
20093
202629
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2019Power trainODI 11219681

Service brakes

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2017Service brakesODI 11043241

Steering

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2017Steering, SuspensionODI 11024039
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Ram 3500 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2009 3500 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Ram 3500 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Ram 3500 problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1), service brakes (1), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026