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2009 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems
severe
Owners of the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 have filed 155 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 61,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 39kmed 61kQ3 82kn=50
Complaints
155
Recalls
3
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Dodge Ram 2500, by model year
Of the 155 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
3 (42.9%)
50-75k
1 (14.3%)
75-100k
2 (28.6%)
100-125k
1 (14.3%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 72% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
All 3 active steering recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
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.
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.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4
A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. 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 N49.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinSB19-001-11 REVAAug 2011
DODGE: BULLETIN PROVIDING ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES FOR TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING FOR THE RIGHT AND LEFT. MODEL YRS FOR CAB CHASSIS (REG AND MEGA PICKUPS AND 4X4) 2003-2011.
DODGE: STEERING WANDER. WHILE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, CUSTOMER MAY FEEL THE NEED TO PROVIDE STEERING INPUT TO CORRECT A VEHICLE WANDER CONDITION.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2009 Dodge Ram 2500s describe a pattern of severe steering defects centered on tie-rod failure and uncontrollable front-end vibration. The most common complaint is "death wobble"—violent shaking of the front end and steering wheel triggered by hitting bumps or road imperfections, especially at highway speeds (35–70 mph). Owners report losing steering control entirely, with some describing their cab shaking so violently that battery terminals vibrate loose. Several have narrowly avoided crashes.
The underlying culprit cited in recall notices (N49/NHTSA 13V-529, 11V350000) is fracture of the left tie-rod ball stud, occurring even at low speeds and sometimes with little warning. Owners report hearing a clunk or grinding noise before the steering suddenly becomes uncontrollable, with front wheels pointing inward or opposite directions.
A critical compounding problem: Chrysler severely restricted the supply of replacement tie-rod parts to dealerships—limiting repairs to one or two per week—creating waiting lists of 50 to over 3,000 vehicles per dealer. Owners who received recall notices in December 2013–January 2014 waited six months to over a year for parts to arrive, forcing them to continue driving vehicles they knew had steering defects. Many owners report being told by dealers and the manufacturer there was nothing to do but wait. One owner calculated it would take 5+ years to clear his dealership's recall queue.
Multiple owners report that even after completing recall tie-rod replacements, the death wobble and steering failures persisted, suggesting either the underlying defect was not addressed or replacement parts were themselves defective. Owners describe independent shops and tire facilities finding nothing wrong with suspension geometry, yet the problem continued after shocks and tires were replaced.
Same Dodge Ram 2500 steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Death wobble / uncontrollable front-end vibration at highway speeds
Violent shaking of the front end, steering wheel, and entire cab triggered by hitting bumps, potholes, or road joints at highway speeds (35–70 mph). Owners lose steering control and must brake hard or slow to below 55 mph to regain control. Happens repeatedly despite multiple tie-rod recalls, shock replacement, tire changes, and inspection by independent mechanics and dealers.
When: Highway speeds (35–70 mph), triggered by bumps or road imperfections; some incidents reported as recurring over 1+ years
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking of front end and steering wheel; Loss of steering control; Entire cab vibrates; Single tire bouncing or entire front end wobbling; Wheels appear to bounce off ground; Battery terminals vibrate loose from shaking intensity
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report tie-rod recall work completed, shocks replaced, tires replaced, front-end inspection by Sears and independent shops found nothing wrong; issue persists despite repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls N49/NHTSA 13V-529, 11V350000, 09V005000 for tie-rod assembly replacement issued; tie-rod recalls completed on many vehicles without resolving death wobble
Left tie-rod ball stud fracture
The left (or driver-side) tie-rod ball stud breaks or shatters under normal driving conditions, including low-speed maneuvers and light snow plowing. Fracture occurs suddenly with little or no warning. Complete loss of steering control results; front wheels point inward or in opposite directions.
When: Occurs at low to moderate speeds (10–25 mph in several cases); one instance during snow plowing; some at highway speeds after recall parts unavailable
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunk or grinding noise before failure; Sudden loss of steering control; Front wheels point inward to full extent or opposite directions; Vehicle skids or loses directional control; Wheel becomes detached or immobile after fracture; Fractured stud punctures tire
Repairs/costs cited: Tie-rod ball stud replaced at dealer under warranty; one owner replaced with aftermarket Moog part and realigned; repair costs cited range from $2,871.98 (full front-end replacement) to individual tie-rod replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N49/NHTSA 13V-529 issued January 2014 for left tie-rod ball stud fracture under certain driving conditions; recall 11V350000 for tie-rod assembly; some owners excluded from recall coverage despite similar failures; Chrysler offered buyback program for unresolved cases
Tie-rod end failure with prior recall work
Tie-rod ends break or fracture after original recall repairs have been performed, indicating recall repair did not resolve underlying defect or parts were defective. Failures occur weeks to months after recall service.
When: 38,791 miles (shortly after initial recall repair); 75,000 miles (two years after first replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop when reversing from parking space; Uncontrollable steering when turning; Loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Second tie-rod replacement performed at dealer after initial recall repair failed; some owners report dealers blamed faulty or incorrect initial recall repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N49/NHTSA 13V-529 and 11V350000; second repair performed under recall; manufacturer offered buyback at reduced value (reported offers $11,000–$16,000 vs. owner valuations of $18,750+)
Loose or failed adjustment bar in front-end assembly
Adjuster bar in the front-end steering linkage becomes loose, contributing to steering slop, poor self-centering, and eventual catastrophic failure of other front-end components. Found during diagnostic work related to tire wear and steering problems.
When: At 25 mph during normal driving in July 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Sloppy steering, poor self-centering; Steering drifts left and right without correction; Abnormal tire wear (outside edge of both front tires); Rapid tire degradation and blowout
Repairs/costs cited: Entire front-end parts replaced (adjuster bar, tie rods, and other linkage components) at cost of $2,871.98; adjuster bar found loose
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N49/NHTSA 13V-529; manufacturer investigating buyback claims for vehicles with multiple recall repairs that failed
Power steering failure
Loss of power steering capability during normal driving. Occurs both as isolated incidents and as recurring failures within months of recall repairs.
When: At 65 mph (recurring); 15,000 miles initially, recurred by 25,490 miles; 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering without warning; Heavy steering wheel; Vehicle vibration when power steering lost
Repairs/costs cited: Tie-rod replacement performed under recall; failure recurred within six months despite recall repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 09V005000, 11V350000, 13V529000 addressed; manufacturer contacted but stated recall remedy did not resolve issue; offered to file additional complaint
Steering dampener failure
Steering dampener requires replacement to address front-end shake and excessive wheel vibration at low speeds. Related to overall front-end instability.
When: At 25 mph; reported at low speeds in general
Repairs/costs cited: Steering dampener replaced at dealer; ball joints also found bad and replaced; issue partially resolved but light shimmy persisted for several months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V529000 received; however, manufacturer could not confirm if vehicle was included
Critical delay and unavailability of recall repair parts
Chrysler severely restricts the supply of replacement tie-rod parts to dealerships, limiting repairs to one part every 1–2 weeks or 2 parts per month. Owners wait 6+ months (some over a year) for recall appointment slots with no assurance of repair dates. Waiting lists exceed 100–3,000 vehicles per dealership. Owners forced to drive unsafe vehicles with known defects while waiting.
When: Recall issued December 2013–January 2014; delays extended through 2014–2015 for many owners
Symptoms owners cite: Dealership unable to schedule appointment; Told parts not available; Placed on waiting list with no estimated timeline; Called repeatedly over months with no progress; Waiting lists of 50–3,000+ vehicles ahead
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; owners continue driving; some eventually paid out-of-pocket for alternative repairs or hired independent shops
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N49/NHTSA 13V-529 issued with stated remedy of tie-rod ball stud replacement; Chrysler admitted to limiting part supply (1–2 repairs per week per dealership); offered buyback program for unresolved cases; buyback offers significantly below book value
Ball joint failure
Front suspension ball joints wear out or fail prematurely, contributing to front-end instability and crow-hopping sensation during turns.
When: Low mileage (under 40,000 miles in some cases)
Symptoms owners cite: Crow-hopping sensation during slow turns; Excessive movement in front suspension
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joints replaced at Sears; CV joint also found defective; repairs performed under safety concern
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V350000 issued for tie-rod assembly; owner claims did not receive recall notice; Dodge refused reimbursement because parts were non-Mopar and repair was not done at dealer
Synthesized from 155 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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 · 60,000 mi
· 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…
steering · 35,000 mi
· 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…
steering · 102,000 mi
· 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…
steering · 89,500 mi
· 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…
steering · 80,000 mi
· 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 · 32,423 mi
· 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…
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…
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 · 38,791 mi
· 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…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Dodge Ram 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 38,791 and 82,096 miles, with the median around 61,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,791; a quarter make it past 82,096. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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 — 3 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.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Dodge/Ram 2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.