NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Ram 3500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 Ram 3500 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 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 3500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2009 Ram 3500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Ram 3500, describing incidents dated May 10, 2017 to June 3, 2019.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 1 complaint
  • Service Brakes 1 complaint
  • Steering 1 complaint
  • Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11219681 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11043241 · Filed

    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.

  • ODI #11024039 · Filed

    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.

Read all 3 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Ram 3500 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.

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 – February 19, 2010 (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.

Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall/Fire

NHTSA #16V739000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 74,811 vehicles

Repair completion: 66.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S68 · Owners notified December 23, 2016 · Vehicles built January 30, 2007 – January 29, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

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.

Other Ram 3500 model years

Check your 2009 Ram 3500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ram 3500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ram VIN