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 toe & alignment. It ended up being a total repair of upper & lower u-joints & ball joints. Also had to replace driver's mirror-had short, wiring harness on passenger headlight-had short, transmission shifter seal leaked, new pinion gear & seal, & few other items also. It seems like a diesel that has just started breaking in was falling apart on me before it's time. Needless to say, about 4 months or so after I made the purchase, I had to fork out a !!heap!! Of $$$$$ for repairs that I couldn't recover. Funny thing is, before I bought the truck, another gentleman told me these years of dodge trucks he had heard they were having a lot of front end trouble. I'm shocked there hasn't been a recall. It sure would be nice to be reimbursed.
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems
69 complaints (66% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 48,220. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 69
- of this car's complaints
- 66%
- typical mileage
- 48,220
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Linkages: tie rod assembly5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- 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. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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 the federal safety agency, 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.
Recall number 13V529000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- 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 tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 11V350000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- 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 shift on the linkage.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 09V005000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V‑528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V‑528 and 13V‑529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, FCA?s heavier Dodge Ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.Specifically, RMD inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on January 15, 2014 and February 19, 2014, due to the volume of complaints it was receiving from owners alleging parts scarcity and parts restrictions. FCA steadfastly denied it had placed parts restrictions on its dealers to manage issues of parts scarcity.FCA shared material showing it had uncommitted stock of parts available for its dealers. Nevertheless, consumer complaints of lack of parts continued.RMD made independent inquiries tosome dealers tobetter understand the conflicting claims between owners alleging lack of ability to repair their defective vehicles due to lack of parts, and FCA?s information showing availability of parts.Dealers informed and provided documentation to RMD on February 21, 2014 and February 25, 2014 showing FCA had, in fact, put into place parts restrictions and, further, had in some instances canceled dealerships? back orders for parts.In addition, during the course of its dialogue with dealers, RMD discovered that FCA had notified their dealerships on February 27, 2014 to return the recall remedy parts over quality concerns, and had therefore effectively canceled its safety recall program without notification to the federal safety agency. RMD issued a request for information (IR) on October 21, 2014.The company failed to respond to a number of the questions RMD asked that required it to produce specifics surrounding the repairs and parts ordering process with the recalls, including a question about whether a dealer order for recall parts could be canceled and under what circumstances.
AQ14003
Outer Tie Rod Failure
ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.
PE11009
What 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 that drive the same truck say they've spent thousands of dollars on their own vehicles and can't pinpoint the front end noises either. 2:vibration under the vehicle, from the transfer case, through the drive shaft, to the rear differential. Diesel shop says it's a common issue for the seals to get worn out due to imbalanced drive shaft. However, the drive shaft didn't lose any weights and was fine for the fist 90,000 miles. This is a very common issue with dodge adam 2500 and 3500, according to the shop. At first I thought it was the tires, so I had them replaced and kept going to different shops, thinking that some may be better at balancing than others. There's a definite vibration between 45-55 MPH and then it's really bad at 69-75+ MPH. It's been getting worse for months and after replacing worn out seal on transfer case, it still isn't proper, but somewhat better. Shop said it's temporary and partial fix until I get the driveshaft balanced, but it has to be sent off for balancing and could take 3-4 days. I can't be without my truck for 3 days. I drove a ford for 300,000 miles with no issues in the steering nor in the drivetrain. I drove a chevy for 200,000 miles with zero issues that this dodge ram 3500 has.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. While driving 65 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and drove into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod ball stud fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the tires prematurely had been worn out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an alignment was performed and the tie rod assembly was replaced. Months after the repairs, there was premature deterioration of the ball joints and tires. The tires were replaced by the contact due to the failure. The dealer later stated that the ball joints had been worn and they replaced the shocks and ball joints as well they provided an alignment. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and it was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the tipm and the fuse box box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 13v529000 (steering), 11v350000 (steering) and 09v005000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 103,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 13v529000 (steering) and 15v313000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 1/12/2016 *cn updated 02/23/16
This is in reference to the fca buy back program. According to the consent order I read fca is supposed to be giving us the purchased price plus 10% minus depreciation. The price fca gave me is trade in value plus 10%. I have never been able to purchase a vehicle for trade in price, why should they be able to? This is not a punishment for them it is a punishment for me. I have tried to get my truck repaired just to be told they did not have parts available. Now they want to give me thousands less than what I could have sold it for outright to someone, but now the price of these truck are going down because of all of this in the news.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact had the vehicle repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v529000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for other repairs, and the mechanic noticed that the driver side tie rod fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 252,000. Ma 10/8
Driving on highway 101 in a northern direction driving in my lane and upon hitting a pot hole my truck went into a violent shuttering and shaking to the point of losing control of my vehicle pulling to the side of the road and coming to a complete stop in the emergency lane,then starting back up to drive until the next bump to send my truck into a front end shake athon, and violent shaking to the point of no ability to stear truck, this truck has been brought in to dealer 5 times and still it does the same thing after replacing stableizer shock absorber tie rod ends and new front shocks. The violent shaking is still continued on vehicle to this day and any bump on the road can set it off and the shaking will not stop unless I come to a complete stop!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency campaign id number: 13v529000 (steering) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number 13v529000(steering) however, the part needed to complete the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was not notified about the issue and did not provide an estimate time of when the part would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Questions about the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 steering
Does the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 69 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500, 66% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 48,220 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 steering?
Yes, 3 recalls: 13V529000, 11V350000, 09V005000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge RAM 3500 have bad steering?
The Dodge RAM 3500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (222 complaints), 2011 (164 complaints) and 2008 (94 complaints).
Other 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Airbags 12Suspension 12Electrical 6Brakes 5Transmission 4Visibility 4Lights 3Body 2Engine 2Wheels 2Fuel system 1Tires 1
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