NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Ram 2500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 Ram 2500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ram dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Ram 2500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2009 Ram 2500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Ram 2500, describing incidents dated July 5, 2019 to January 12, 2024.

Most-cited components

Steering 4 complaints
Suspension 4 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11566838 · Filed January 21, 2024
We have experienced the "death wobble" twice now in our 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. It is a documented issue with Dodge trucks and associated with multiple prior recalls. At highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly begins shaking violently and uncontrollably, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle…
ODI #11465576 · Filed May 21, 2022
My steering shakes violently and my front end feels like he's going in a different direction than the back end. I've owned this 2009 since 2010. I've paid for at least 3 front end rebuilds. Surely there is an aftermarket or fix for this? Its the Cummins 6.7L, 2500. I want to fix this only ONE more…
ODI #11441404 · Filed November 22, 2021
Dodge death wobble. Hit a bridge gap almost lost control. Definitely in the front end suspension or linkage? Recall other vins not mine in the same year? Not confirmed yet. Needs to have same recalls as the others 2009 dodge ram 2500 5.7 Hemi big horn.

Read all 5 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Ram 2500 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Do Not Drive - Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #18V021000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2018 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 328,177 vehicles

Repair completion: 53.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign U03 · Owners notified February 28, 2018 · Vehicles built June 3, 2008 – September 1, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Ram dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2009 Ram 2500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Ram 2500.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11566838

Incident: January 12, 2024 · Filed: January 21, 2024

We have experienced the "death wobble" twice now in our 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. It is a documented issue with Dodge trucks and associated with multiple prior recalls. At highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly begins shaking violently and uncontrollably, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. It feels like the front axle just broke in half, but the problem is difficult to diagnose. The first time it happened, the truck was almost due for inspection, so we took it for an inspection hoping that the cause would be discovered/repaired. The shop replaced a ball joint (left upper); we were hoping that was the cause. After it passed the state safety inspection, I took it out on the same stretch of road where I had trouble earlier and it seemed fine. Then, a few weeks later, the death wobble struck back - this time with my wife driving and our six-month-old daughter in the back seat. It was my worst nightmare that it happened with my daughter in the truck. Young children are so fragile and their brains are still developing. It's a miracle she survived; hopefully she didn't suffer any brain damage that will manifest itself in the future. I found NHTSA Recall ID 11V350000, which pertains to 2003-11 Dodge Ram 2500 trucks. I called Dodge multiple times and spoke with our local dealer. They won't do anything, because "Your VIN doesn't show in our system." To me, this is a documented safety problem that nearly killed my daughter, and Dodge needs to make it right (our truck fit the recall description). I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. Please investigate and use your authorities to persuade Dodge to do the right thing.

Steering; Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11465576

Incident: May 10, 2022 · Filed: May 21, 2022

My steering shakes violently and my front end feels like he's going in a different direction than the back end. I've owned this 2009 since 2010. I've paid for at least 3 front end rebuilds. Surely there is an aftermarket or fix for this? Its the Cummins 6.7L, 2500. I want to fix this only ONE more time. We have only 30 mi of road here but speeds of up to 55 are allowed. I rarely drive over 50. If I were to take this on a ferry to the mainland, I would be afraid to drive the freeways. It happens here in Ketchikan, pot hole capital of the world. I only need to hit a bump and the front end goes wonkers. Help me fix this.

Steering; Suspension; Service Brakes

ODI #11441404

Incident: November 19, 2021 · Filed: November 22, 2021

Dodge death wobble. Hit a bridge gap almost lost control. Definitely in the front end suspension or linkage? Recall other vins not mine in the same year? Not confirmed yet. Needs to have same recalls as the others 2009 dodge ram 2500 5.7 Hemi big horn.

Engine

ODI #11426203

Incident: July 1, 2021 · Filed: July 23, 2021

My truck was running fine then started to skip and lost power. It was dangerous because i was on the interstate and the truck would not go. People were honking and flying ar0und me was very disturbing. Seems this has been a problem for awhile talking to other Dodge owners a valve spring or lifter breaks and destroys the can shaft in the Hemi engines certain years.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #11231697

Incident: July 5, 2019 · Filed: July 14, 2019

I HAVE A 2009 RAM 2500 4WHEEL DRIVE. I CAN NOT USE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING; AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH THE FRONT SUSPENSION TENDS TO EXPERIENCE A SEVERE SHAKING THAT IS CAUSED BY A RAPID LATERAL OSCILLATION OF THE ENTIRE AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN CROSSING AN UNEVEN, ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD, OR WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH A GRADE BREAK THAT IS NOT "SQUARE" WITH THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, (DIAGONAL). I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE EXPERIENCING THIS PHENOMENA. THERE IS A TERM THAT HAS EMERGED OUT HERE IN THE REAL WORLD THAT BEST DESCRIBES THIS CONDITION, WHICH IS "THE DEATH WOBBLE". ( SEE YOU TUBE FOR SOME GOOD EXAMPLES). THERE IS ALSO ONE REMEDY FOR THIS THAT SEEMS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM,(YOU TUBE/ BIG'OL BUSHING) THAT BEING SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE THE JOB OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO RE-ENGINEER THEIR VEHICLES IN ORDER TO USE THEM ON THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. THIS RAM AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN RE-CALLED FOR FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS,MAINLY TIE-ROD ENDS, NO DOUBT. TAKE NOTICE OF THIS FACT! THE PROBLEM NEVER WAS THE TIE-ROD ENDS, BUT THIS INCREDIBLE OSCILLATION THAT OCCURS WHEN THE TRACK BAR MOUNTING BOLTS WEAR OUT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE BRACKETS TO AN OBLONG,NON CONCENTRIC STATE. THIS WILL BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR AS LONG AS THIS THIS DESIGN IS IN SERVICE. THESE BOLTS ARE WEARING OUT THE BRACKETS WHICH ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME, MAKING A REMEDY IMPOSSIBLE. I MUST POINT OUT THAT EVEN AFTER A CRASH INVOLVING ONE OF THESE UNITS, THIS CAN EASILY BE OVERLOOKED ,OR COMPLETELY MISSED AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR OR DIRECT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT! THESE VEHICLES ARE A DANGER TO THE TRAVELING PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND RETROFITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR BE CONDEMNED AND PLACED OUT OF SERVICE IMMEDIATELY!

Other Ram 2500 model years

Check your 2009 Ram 2500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ram 2500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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