Dodge Ram 3500 problems
104 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Dodge Ram 3500? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 69 owner reports · tends to show around 58,369 mi · ~$700 to fix
- airbags — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 65,625 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- suspension — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 111,782 mi · ~$900 to fix
- electrical — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 55,033 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 65,625 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Dodge Ram 3500
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the tie rod broke on the front driver side. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technicians stated the tie rod needed to be…
The wipers quit working, then the blinkers and the high and low on the headlights. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the windshield wipers intermittently failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Dodge Ram 3500?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 69 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,369 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 104 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 58,369 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 69 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,369 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 58,369 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Ram 3500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 104 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.