Should I buy a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 with documented steering problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented steering issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2009 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems

severe 155 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700

Complaints

155

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$700

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 11V350000 06/07/2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

severe NHTSA 09V005000 09/01/2009

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,782 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners are reporting 10 most recent

steering · filed 12/24/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000, STEERING; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.

steering · filed 12/20/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A LOUD WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V005000 (STEERING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER TH…

steering · filed 12/17/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS THE STEERING DAMPENER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERIN…

steering · filed 12/16/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD BALL STUD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT…

steering · filed 12/13/2016

WHILE DRIVING THE DODGE RAM 2500 2009 YEAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60-65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER HITTING A JOINT IN THE ROAD BETWEEN THE ASPHALT AND A BRIDGE. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER DURING THIS TIME AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE CONNECTORS VIBRATED OFF OF THE BATTERY TERMINAL, BOTH BATTERIES, AT WHICH TIME I LOST ALL POWER. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN MY DRIVING O…

steering · filed 11/28/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OUTER TIE ROD END WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V350000 …

steering · filed 11/27/2012

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 64 DOING 70 MPH HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AFTER A BRIDGE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING REALLY BAD HAD TO SLOW DOWN AN PULL OFF ON SIDE OF ROAD TO MAKE IT QUIT SHAKING JUST ABOUT GOT RUN OVER BIG RIG WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME SEEMS LIKE THIS HAPPENS TO ALOT OF DODGE TRUCKS WOULD LIKE TO SEE RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED MAYBE I SHOULD JUST GET RID OF THE TRUCK NOT REAL HAPPY CONSUMER…

steering · filed 11/05/2014

I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER 2013 AND WAS INFORMED I NEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP BEGINNING JANUARY 6, 2014. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 5, 2014 AND I AM JUST NOW HAVING THE REPAIR DONE. AS A RESULT OF THIS EXTREME DELAY I WAS UNABLE TO USE MY TRUCK TO TOW MY BOAT OUT OF STORAGE AND THUS INCURRED A $750.00 CHARGE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST Y…

steering · filed 11/02/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

steering · filed 10/22/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V350000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL POP. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FAC…

Common questions

How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500?

It's a meaningful issue. 155 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.

At what mileage does the steering typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to steering?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.