Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 58 | 56% |
| Air bags | 11 | 11% |
| Suspension | 5 | 5% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 1% |
| Power train | 1 | 1% |
| Steering | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Hash shifting during acceleration and deceleration and aggressive braking during decelerating...was only doing this during acceleration in the beginning but now does it all the time . This has not left me stranded yet bu
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS IN A BAD WRECK ON THE FREEWAY GOING FREEWAY SPEED 60MPH I HIT A JERSEY BARRIER THAT CAUSED ME TO ROLL MY TRUCK AND NOT ONE OF MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2018 I SHATTERED MY COLLARBONE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR AXLE LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE CONTACT CALLED SHIELDS MOTOR CO INC., (814 W CHERRY ST, C
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND MADE TWO QUICK TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRAG LINK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
ON 11/25/19 ABOUT 3 AM THE HORN GOT STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND NOTHING WAS LABELED IN THE FUSE BOX OR MANUAL (BOOK) WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 40,012 MILES, I'M TOTALLY SURPRISED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND I
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY 2011 MEGA CAB 3500 WAS PURCHASED IN NOV OF 2018 WITH ONLY APPROX. 110K MILES ON ODOMETER. AFTER A SHORT WHILE OF DRIVING, A VIBRATION STARTED GETTING WORSE UP UNTIL I TOOK TO A DEALER AT APPROX. 114K FOR A CHECK ON TO
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TWO ISSUES: 1: KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING AT PARKING LOT SPEEDS. I'VE REPLACED BUSHINGS, LINKAGES, BALL JOINTS, AND NOTHING HELPED. I REPLACED WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND THE KNOCKING IS REDUCED, BUT NOT FIXED. SHOP OWNERS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DRIVER SIDE ENTRY ASSIST HAND HOLD BREAKS AND ALLOWS DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS WHEN TRYING TO USE TO ENTER VEHICLE. BRAKE LINE FAILURE FROM FLUID HOLDER TO ABS DISTRIBUTION BLOCK RUST OUT AND RELEASES BRAKE FLUID AND PED
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rup
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.
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,
Risk: 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 C
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. THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. ALSO THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING THE BRACKET MAY YIELD AND
Risk: 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 1
| Reliability | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 64 | average |
| Maintenance | 45 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 81 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 58 of them (56%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 64/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.