2009 Dodge Ram 4500 problems

General information about Dodge-Ram 4500
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.

Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

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Common 2009 Dodge Ram 4500 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Dodge Ram 4500 2009, several common problems have been identified:

Engine Stalling: Owners have reported instances of the engine stalling out in the 2008 Ram 4500. Engine stalling can be a serious safety concern, especially if it happens while driving. This issue can be caused by various factors such as fuel system problems, electrical issues, or engine malfunctions.
Steering Rod Breakage: Complaints include the steering rod breaking at the joint ball in the 2008 Ram 4500. Steering components are critical for vehicle control and safety. A broken steering rod can lead to loss of control over the vehicle, posing a significant risk of accidents.
Death Wobble: This issue has been reported in the 2011 Ram 4500. The "death wobble" is a severe front-end vibration that can occur at certain speeds, making the vehicle difficult to control. It is often linked to problems with the suspension system, steering components, or wheel alignment.
Exhaust System Problems: Complaints have been made regarding the exhaust system in the Dodge Ram 4500. Issues with the exhaust system can lead to poor engine performance, increased emissions, and even safety hazards due to toxic fumes entering the cabin.
Suspension Concerns: Owners have reported suspension problems in the Dodge Ram 4500. Suspension issues can affect the vehicle's stability, handling, and overall ride comfort. Common suspension problems include worn-out components, misalignment, or damaged shocks.

These problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise with the Dodge Ram 4500 2009. Addressing these common problems promptly can help ensure the safety, performance, and longevity of the vehicle.

Is the RAM 4500 reliable?

Ram 4500 Reliability Problems. 4500 owners have made 11 complaints over 5 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 2nd in overall reliability out of 9 Ram models , with real windows and electrical concerns.

What is the problem with the 2008 Dodge 4500?

Chrysler is recalling 22,274 Sterling Bullet, Dodge Ram and Ram 4500 AND 5500 chassis cabs from the 2008-11 model years to fix a problem with steering components that could lead to a loss of vehicle control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How many miles does a 2009 Dodge Ram last?

between 250,000 and 350,000 miles

Compared to other used trucks for sale, the Ram 1500 has an exceptional lifespan, lasting between 250,000 and 350,000 miles depending on how well it is maintained. With this being said, if you are browsing used Ram 1500s for sale near you, you should avoid anything that is close to or within the above mileage range.

What engine is in the Ram 4500?

6.4L HEMI® V8

6.4L HEMI® V8 ENGINE.

Is the Ram 4500 reliable?

What is the problem with the 2008 Dodge 4500?

How many miles does a 2009 Dodge Ram last?

between 250,000 and 350,000 miles

What was the worst year for the Dodge Ram?

The worst years

A few model years, in particular, have proven more problematic than others. Model years 2011 and 2012 stand out when it comes to bad years for the 5.7L HEMI, with 2012 being an especially lousy period for Ram pickups. The biggest issue with the 2012 Ram 1500 is the infamous "HEMI tick."

2009 Dodge Ram 4500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Ram 4500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Electrical system problems
Steering problems
Exterior lighting problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2009 Dodge Ram 4500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2009 Dodge Ram 4500 complaints

The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2009 Dodge Ram 4500.

2016-07-06

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2011-07-06
Fire: 1
VIN: 3D6WD68L69G
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 4500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE WIRES BURNED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND PLUG HEAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

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2016-07-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2011-09-15
VIN: 3D6WD68L69G
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 1ST TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS UNDER 36 THOUSAND MILES,, TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START OR MAKE A SOUND,, HAD IT TOWED TO BOB WILLIAMS DODGE IN ROME GA.,,WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE SECOND TIME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED I WAS SITTING STILL WITH TRUCK IDILING IN A PARKING LOT FOR 3 OR 4 MINUTES THEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF AND I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND BURNT PLASTIC,,, HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO ED VOYLES IN MARIETTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG THAT SHORTED OUT AGAIN AND CAUSED THE TIPM AND THE FUSE BOX AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD INSIDE THE FUSEBOX TO BURN A HOLE THRU THEM THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL,, THIS HAPPENED AT 96,000 MILES,,,, SO THEY PUT A BAND AID ON IT TO GET ME OUT THE DOOR ,,,I ASKED THEM IF THEY FOUND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE MAIN HARNESS PLUG SHORTED OUT BUT THATS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM... THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS STARTING TO OCCUR AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME AT AROUND 130,000 MILES,,CRUISE CONTROL HAS QUIT WORKING ,,TAIL LIGHTS AND MARKER LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING ON TRUCK,, TRAILER BRAKES AND TRAILER LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING,,, FUEL GUAGE WILL QUIT WORKING AND DPF FULL LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT I CAN MOVE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS PLUG HEAD AND THE FUEL GUAGE WILL START BACK TO WORK AND DPF FULL WARNING WILL GO OFF FOR A WHILE,,,I NEED HELP WITH THIS ONGOING ISSUE PLEASE

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2016-01-12

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-09-01
Crash: 1
VIN: 3D6WC66L49G
Components: STEERING
Summary: MY SUSPENSION/STEERING SNAPPED AND THE DEALER WILL NOT RELEASES THE VEHICLE TO ME AND TOLD ME TO CALL DODGE SINCE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON IT. I HAVE CALLED 3 TIMES AND NOBODY CALLS BACK. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2015.

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2012-08-14

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-08-14
VIN: 3D6WC66L99G
Components: STEERING
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 4 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WAS TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT A RECALL APPLIED TO THE CONTACT'S VIN UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:10V657000(STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS REPAIRED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO MAKE THE RECALL REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

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2009 Dodge Ram 4500 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2009 Dodge Ram 4500.

2016-05-24

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Consequence: 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

2015-05-27

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: 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 death.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

2013-11-06

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. 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 R16.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2009 Dodge Ram 4500 problems:

6.7 W/aisin Trans Reliable In Ram4500?? | Cummins Diesel Forum

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/6-7-w-aisin-trans-reliable-in-ram4500.134347/

Mar 24, 2009 ... ... Dodge truck forum, and ask what are the common problems with that specific truck you want. Don't even mention the other truck(s) you are ...

Problems with 4500 & 5500 - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource ...

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/4500-5500-chassis-cab-trucks-158/problems-4500-5500-a-214936/

Aug 22, 2008 ... 4500 / 5500 - Chassis Cab Trucks - Problems with 4500 ... 4500: No issues to report as of yet accpet a ... dodgedude440 is offline 01-25-2009. Join ...

2008 Dodge Ram 4500 | Cummins Diesel Forum

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/2008-dodge-ram-4500.568099/

Jan 23, 2013 ... Figured its worth a shot since mechanics now adays cant figure it out. I have a couple of problems. I just bought this truck last March and this ...

Blend door issues.. Actuator not the problem!!! | DODGE RAM FORUM

https://www.ramforumz.com/threads/blend-door-issues-actuator-not-the-problem.228684/

Dec 20, 2016 ... Earlier this week i jumped in the truck and started it up, set the HVAC control to defrost, and came back out 10 minutes later to a completely ...

4th Generation (2008-2011) Ram 4500 Problems

http://www.dodgeproblems.com/models/ram-4500/generations/4/

Oct 19, 2016 ... Common 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 Problems · TRW Crash Sensor Defect. There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing ...