Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P2609
P2609 Powertrain · generic OBD-II
Intake Air Heater System Performance
P2609 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 8 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.
- 8owner reports
- 2car models
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2012–2020model years
Which cars get code P2609?
Every model whose owners mentioned P2609 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Where does P2609 show up?
By brand
- Ram8
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for P2609?
The others concern the component owners file this code under (Engine) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Oil/Lubrication Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
2019 Ram 3500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Oil/Lubrication Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result…
2019 Ram 3500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Diesel Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
2017 Ram 2500, 2017 Ram 3500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Diesel Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
2012 Ram 2500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
What happened when owners saw P2609?
8 of the 8 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I got a p2609 code when the check engine light came on. After researching the code it has been determined it is the bolt holding the grid heater in place has deteriorated and now my engine needs to be dismantled to repair the problem. These repairs are roughly $3000.00. Ram has been aware of this problem in their vehicles since 2007 models and it is still a problem they are not being held responsible for.
Recently I was informed about a possible engine failure involving a "Grid Heater Bolt". Upon my query, I learned the following: The RAM grid heater bolt failure can lead to serious engine damage. Here are some key points: 1. The grid heater nut can melt and fall off inside the intake plenum, often due to the grid heater relay sticking "on". Or fall off due to vibration. 2. A bolt in the 2007-2023 RAM 6.7L intake air heater can cause severe engine damage, and a warning code (P2609) may indicate this issue. 3. The grid heater bolt/nut can wear from heat or vibration, potentially dropping into the cylinder and destroying the engine. The risk related to this can be minor to catastrophic. Any…
Throws code p2609 which is grid heater, this needs to be fixed at 38000 miles, I'm sure it'll cause a fire like the other model years that is being recalled for the same issue
P2609 check engine code for a component in the diesel fuel intake chamber. The relay failed, melted a bolt and attached nut that fell into the intake manifold. The part then traveled into piston cylinder destroying the valves and the engine. The truck then is powerless on the roadway. This is a known issue for all Ram diesel’s manufactured 2007-2024. This should be a major recall and Ram has done nothing for vehicles out of warranty. Please help.
My 2017 RAM 2500 (VIN-HG607103) at 83,015 miles began throwing a code of P2609 which is an air intake heater issue. I found my air intake relay was not working. I replaced it and all good, until the code returned a little over a week later. I then tested the relay and found it good and began to research more to learn that I had the "Bolt of Death" occurring. The bolt on my grid heater plate was broken, however it had not dropped into my engine cylinder. Luckly it was fused to the heater grid plate still. If it had fell off, it would fallen into a cyclinder damaging it and the piston, blowing the engine. There are recalls on new trucks with this engine however not the 2017s yet.
P2609 code. Grid Heater Relay. A P2609 code indicates an issue with the intake air heater system voltage or performance and often means the grid heater bolt is failing and has lost its ability to conduct current. There is currently a recall for 2021-2023 models; NHTSA campaign number 23V060000 for the same issue. My truck has 50,972 miles on it.
CHRYSLER HAS HAD NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 COMPONENT(S): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL IN EFFECT SINCE OCTOBER 2014. MY TRUCK HAS THIS RECALL PROBLEM. I CONTINUALLY HAVE ENGINE CODE P2609 ACTIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND ALL THEY WILL SAY IS THAT THE REPAIR PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. MY TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPAIR THE TRUCK. ALONG WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT", I HAVE A DIESEL FUEL SMELL ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AT VARIOUS TIMES. CHRYSLER WILL GIVE ME NO DATE AS TO WHEN THEY WILL REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALERS SAY THEY CAN DO NOTHING UNTIL CHRYSLER GET THE REPAIR PARTS NEEDED. IT SEEMS LOGICAL THAT IF…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that a diagnostic scanner was used to retrieve DTC: P2609; which indicated a failure in the intake air heater system. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealers were contacted and indicated that the part was not available to order. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure or parts availability. The failure mileage was 123,200.
P2609: questions drivers ask
What does code P2609 mean?
P2609 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Intake Air Heater System Performance". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 2 car models.
Which cars get code P2609 most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, P2609 is mentioned most for the Ram 2500 (5), Ram 3500 (3), across 2 models and model years 2012 to 2020. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code P2609?
No NHTSA recall text names P2609 directly. 4 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Engine); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if my car shows P2609?
Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.
How this page was made
CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P2609. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.
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