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Engine & cooling

2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Engine problems

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Ram 2500's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 7% of all its complaints, most recently on March 19, 2025. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust at start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the exhaust manifold bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11649217
Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the headlights flashed off and on, and the battery failed to remain charged. The contact diagnosed an electrical ground short, a low voltage to the intake air heater relay, and the engine grid heater was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Extended Warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 11615213
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that an abnormal, ticking noise would emit from the vehicle upon startup without warning. He also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the engine would rev without warning. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact believed that the failure was related to a defective exhaust manifold. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11444690
SteeringAirbagsEngine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Steering · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 10750078
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 65 mph, black smoke emitted from the exhaust system. As a result, the vehicle stalled as an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the particulate filter exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10750057
Engine & coolingFuel system

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 (na) dodge ram 2500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v635000 (engine & engine cooling system, fuel system, diesel); however, the part needed 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.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10744418
SteeringEngine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrain

Car was brought in 5 times to have various front end recalls performed , two different dealers bedard brothers in cheshire mass. And beterra for steering recall (now n49/nhtsa 13v-529) previously same recall had two or three different numbers. They have never had the parts and could never perform the recall. Because they say that the steering may fail at any moment I have used the vehicle only when I absolutely have no other transportation. Hence as of today the car has 17,200 miles only. The other problem...

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is loss of coolant , the egr cooler has been leaking , I have had it at dealers three times and they have no clue how to repair . This is a common complaint. Because this internal leak goes into the turbocharger. The turbocharger failed and on 7/08/13 had to be replaced at 16,150 miles . That was the symptom of the egr cooler leak, but the cause (leaking egr cooler was not addressed then or on two following trips to the dealers. On to bedard and one to berterra. The chrysler case number may be 24954056 after dealers worked on car two trouble codes appeared p052 and p0700 I don't want to continue driving a car that the steering will fail at any moment or the engine may blow because of coolant loss. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, diesel · Power trainNHTSA 10587036
Engine & cooling

A few weeks ago my check engine light came on. Advance auto parts said an error code for the turbo charger was present. I have 43900 miles on the engine. Dealer told me it was not critical and I made an appt. Before bringing it back, a new code stated dpf filter full 100%. Brought it to the dealer and was told the dpf needed regeneration and would cost $150+. New trucks give warnings of 25%/50%/100% and "change driving habits". Apparently diesels shouldn't be driven in town w/overdrive. Instead we need to pull...

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heavy loads. The only option: drive on the highway in 4th gear to bring rpms to at least 2500 rpm every so often! Plus, the turbo charger apparently was clogged because I don't use the diesel automatic deceleration brake when not pulling a trailer. The dealer had to order some type of additive to clean the turbo charger and they did 3 cleanings with 3 cans of cleaner on a machine to let the engine run. The manager didn't charge me to do the cleaning since they were inter-related and happened together. Otherwise, there would have been another diagnostic charge and cleaning charge that took two hours to do. I asked if dodge was planning an upgrade to the onboard computer to provide those pre-warnings for the dpf filter. The svc mgr said no. Why not? From all I read, if the dpf filters gets to 100% it can damage the system. To replace the dpf, it and the catalytic converter would need to be replaced at a cost in the $5-6000! So, the only option is to periodically have them check the status using a diagnostic at a cost of $95 but likely, would not show anything until it gets to 100% full. This is ridiculous since they should be able to do a program upgrade to warn about the dpf filter as well as the turbocharger levels of soot. I bought the truck to pull an rv and only pull it every 6 months or so. Why pay $45,000 for a truck if you can't drive it around town. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10552571
Engine & coolingBody, doors & structure

The whole truck began shaking so violently, I thought I may loose control, or the truck would not stay upright. The shaking continued until I stopped on the shoulder. A careful inspection revealed no evidence of loose parts. I drove another 30 minutes (5 on freeway, 25 on surface roads) without another incident. Baffling. I have driven this diesel truck in many conditions and on many surfaces with this truck. Vibrations have been strong sometimes in the past, set off by "wash-boards" in the pavement...Seem to be worse in the "tractor trailer/slow" lanes. But this event was 2-3 x the intensity. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · StructureNHTSA 10549520
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning as the instrument panel lights failed. The vehicle then abnormally and independently accelerated. In addition, smoke was seen coming from under the hood area. The vehicle then caught on fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury and the fire was contained by the local fire department. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed but towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10525486
Engine & coolingFuel system

Dpf filter clogged up for third time have had to get dealer, to repair. Requesting class action suite material for this problem. Have learned this will continue to be a recurring problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10504714
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while stopped, exhaust fumes began to emit through the vents. The vehicle was taken to three different authorized dealers, where they were unable to diagnose the failure. Various repairs were performed on the exhaust system and egr gasket, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10425587
BrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemLightsWheels & tiresEquipment & accessories

My 2009 2500 hd dodge ram diesel pickup has been in for the following warranty work from the day of purchase of 7/14/2009: transmission - 11 times emergency brake - 2 times cab heater - 3 times a/c - 3 times diesel fumes in cab - 2 times exhaust brake - 2 times egr valve - 2 times o2 sensor & filter - 3 times excessive brake wear - 1 time main control module - 9 times fan blower motor - 3 times block heater - 1 time truck lights - 2 times check engine light - 3 times tire pressure monitors - 2...

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times tow/haul mode - 2 times fuses - 1 time change oil light - 1 time recall - 1 time the list of problems above have not been repaired under the warranty. The computer system that controls the entire truck does not work properly. Diesel fumes still come in the cab. The emissions systems do not work properly. Per the onboard computer the truck now only gets 16.5 - 16.9 Mpg well under the rated mpg. There has been one recall to date regarding the computer system that is still a problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Parking brake · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Tires · EquipmentNHTSA 10394043
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 2500. The contact noticed the dpf indicator on the dashboard. She checked the owner's manual and it stated that when that light illuminated, the dpf needed to be cleaned and if not, the vehicle could catch fire. She took the vehicle to the dealer who upgraded the software and told her that if they did anything other than that, the warranty would be void. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. She sent an email to the manufacturer and was currently awaiting a response. The current mileage was approximately 17,000. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000. Updated 5/6/10 *cn updated 06/18/10

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10317991
Engine & cooling

2009, Dodge, ram 2500, the vehicle only has 3,000 miles on it. * The diesel particulate filter warning light reads 80% full. The manual instructs the operator not to operate the vehicle when the warning light is on. The light comes on every three days. The dealer said they don't have a clear fix yet from chrysler. * The malfunction indicator warning light came on. The manual instructs the operator not to operate the vehicle for a prolonged period with the warning light on. The dealer can not get the...

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warning light to go off and said chrysler has not come up with a fix for this yet. Chrysler took the complaint by phone on february 2, 2010, reference #19286219. They instructed me to listen to the dealer. The dealer told me to take the complaint to dodge. I have a brand new vehicle with warning lights appearing instructing me not to operate the vehicle and dodge doesn't have a fix. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10306650

Dodge Ram 2500 engine complaints by year

Ram 2500 engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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