10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,688 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #152

Jun 202020

Ram 2500

  • 96,000 miles
Vehicle sways back and forth due to steering linkage

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #151

May 012019

Ram 2500

  • 77,215 miles
Uncontrollable steering or front end wobbling. Aka death wobble, according to my vehicle history there are recalls that are for steering and the description of all those recalls say what could happen which is a loss of steering control resulting in a crash. All the recalls that I know of have been replaced. But I still have incidents where I lose control of steering and in order for it to stop, I have to stop the vehicle. I have had many many close calls, and hoping that this doesn't result in a loss of a vehicle or even death. It's a very big concern to me considering there has been recalls for the steering and front end. It will occur as soon as I hit a bump just right not even at high speed it happens at 35-70 mph no matter if it's flat ground or not. The entire truck shakes and feels like the wheels are bouncing off the ground. At that point being on the freeway having no control of my steering the only option I have it to slam on my breaks, it's a matter of time before something really bad happens

- Morgan, UT, USA

problem #150

Feb 152019

Ram 2500

  • 96,000 miles
After hitting a bump in the road at highway speed the truck began shaking violently. Referred to as a death wobble. Needed to slow truck to bring it back under control.

- Grantham, NH, USA

problem #149

Oct 302017

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
Dodge. Consumer writes in regards to problems with the airbag clockspring. The consumer stated the clockspring was replaced on three seperate occasions, but there is still a recurring problem with the vehicle.

- Assumption, IL, USA

problem #148

Aug 222017

Ram 2500

  • 41,000 miles
While driving at highway speed terrible front end wobble, very scary. Has happened on multiple occasions. Husband normally drives truck this is first time this has happened to me while driving on the interstate.

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #147

Aug 102017

Ram 2500

  • 146,029 miles
Track bar mount came off of the frame of the truck......pulling onto road from drivewag

- Yreka, CA, USA

problem #146

Jul 092017

Ram 2500

  • 121,000 miles
2009 Dodge Ram 2500 has what is described by many as "death wobble". at freeway speeds (70mph here in mi) if some even minor bumps, pot holes are run over the front end of the truck starts to shake uncontrollably. To get control of the vehicle again you must slow to below 55mph. Many times just the drivers side front tire as bouncing or wobbling, recently the entire front end. Vehicle has had both prior recalls for tie-rod ends completed. Had front shocks changed in case they were the issue no change, had tires changed in case there was an issue with any of the tires, no change. Had belle tire techs look for issue with bouncing/wobbling tires they said everything was tight and in working order. Also has another garage look at it for the same issue they did not find any issues. This problem that looks to be pretty widespread with owners of 2009 Ram 2500S makes this vehicle unsafe at highway speeds until a fix is found. I will ask dealer about bouncing/wobbling front end again but if this is on many of these trucks the problem will end up resulting in accidents should a driver not be able to slow down quickly to regain control of the steering. This problem has been happening for over a year on and off, I had avoided driving on the freeway until the last repairs where the tires were changed and the techs said everything was good with the front end. First time on the freeway at 70mph it happened again when a few small bumps were run over, the entire cab of the truck was shaking, other drivers behind and around me slowed as I am guessing they thought I was going to loose control and crash. I had to slow below 50mph before the shaking was under control and because the other drivers slowed it allowed me to get to the right and avoid an accident. So I will no longer use the truck at anything over 45mph and only use sparingly until the issue is identified and repaired.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #145

Jul 052017

Ram 2500

  • miles
My 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 started hopping after I hit a slight bump in the road. I was going about 50mph when thus happened. I could do nothing but take my foot off the gas to slow the truck down. It literally hopped down the road, it felt like we were in a paint mixer bouncing down the road. This has happened several times before but was never as bad as this time. My wife was with me this time and could not believe what it was doing. She told me if she had been driving she would have panicked and most likely wrecked the truck. Everything in the truck was being tossed around. This issue must be corrected before someone gets hurt or worse.

- Franklin, PA, USA

problem #144

Dec 112016

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • 89,500 miles
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 off of a bridge. The shaking would only stop upon coming to a complete stop. This happened 3 more times at slower speeds between 40-50 mph. I eventually had to get a tow truck to get us to our destination. This happened on highway roads and always after hitting a small bumps. Mileage on vehicle is 89500.

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #143

Aug 012016

Ram 2500

  • 80,000 miles
While having other recalls fixed it was discovered that the steering box was leaking and making noise while turning. The repair shop stated that there was no recall and that there were no repair parts available. The steering could fail anytime. Chrysler /Dodge should be fixing this issue as I have found that it is a problem that they know about. Vehicle has 80,000. Miles on it.

- Holden, MA, USA

problem #142

Jul 102016

Ram 2500

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 60 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle as it veered in both directions. As a result, the vehicle rolled over into a ditch and crashed into a pipe fence and a tree before coming to a complete stop. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor cuts and bruises, which required medical attention. Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to a tow yard, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Lindsay, OK, USA

problem #141

Jan 062014

Ram 2500

  • miles
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.

- Gaylord, MI, USA

problem #140

Oct 122015

Ram 2500

  • miles
Went to take the buyback. Went to a local Dodge dealer and they offered to buy my vehicle for $16,000. This was just to buy it to resell. They said the value was $18,750 but they were buying it to resell and had nothing to do with the buyback. Told me to contact fca. Contacted fca and they said they would buy it back for $11,000. That would be all the would give me for it. I have the papers from the local dealer who made the offer. I believe this to be a unfair resale offer plus an additional 10% that the offer was suppose to be.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #139

Jun 302015

Ram 2500

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to stay in position. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep the vehicle in position. In addition, a few months later while driving at 60 mph, the steering wheel began to move independently in both directions and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a divider and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact and front passenger sustained minor cuts and bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Alkol, WV, USA

problem #138

Feb 072014

Ram 2500

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving at any speed over a crevice or pothole, the steering wheel and vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. In addition, all four tires would lose contact with the road surface without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who updated the drag link, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

- Desoto, MO, USA

problem #137

Aug 152015

Ram 2500

  • 69,300 miles
Contacted chrystler online about recall buyback of truck, was told would be forwarded to another department, that the truck was on an N49 recall and an R25 airbag recall. Was told over 2 weeks ago ( Aug 15th)somone would get in touch with me right away thru email. She told me she knew they would have the air bag fix buy November or December. Got in touch with 2 close dealers and they seemed to just wish me luck with the truck and buy back? I have not received any email or info on what is going on. Thanks

- Houlton, ME, USA

problem #136

Jul 092015

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
Letter from senator grassley on behalf of constituent re 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 issues. The consumer stated the left outer tie rod broke.

- Homestead, IA, USA

problem #135

Jun 262015

Ram 2500

  • 92,000 miles
The vehical was being reapired at a dealer and it has been in 3 times to 3 diffent dealers to fix a check gauge light and they have not been able to reapir it. I also boguht in for the tie rod recall inspection and was told the vehical did not have a defective part. I dont belive them since they have not been a honest dealer. The truck is part of the main recall but I was told though Dodge that its not being covered because they fixed the truck which I dont believe happened. I dont feel safe driving the truck with all the issues with Dodge. I also just had the turbo replaced and now im getting desiel fumes coming into the truck. Dodge is not willing and will not work with me to get these issues resloved.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

problem #134

Apr 152015

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost power steering and vibrated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Updated 09/18/15 the consumer stated when he hit a pot hole or dip in the road, the steering wheel would shake violently, along with the entire truck. The consumer stated he had no control over the vehicle. Updated 09/22/15....updated 10-27-15 the consumer stated he replaced the ball joints, shocks and steering dampener. It remedied the problem some, but he could still feel a light shimmy in the steering wheel which progressed for several months. The consumer wanted to participate in the buy back program. Updated 01/05/16. The consumer stated the manufacturer would not buy the vehicle back at the kelly blue book value.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #133

Jul 302015

Ram 2500

  • 33,200 miles
The contact owns a 2013 (na) Dodge Ram 2500. While driving the vehicle approximately 65 mph on rough road conditions, it shook violently. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,200.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »