2009 Ram 1500

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 37 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 17 1500 model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 37

2 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train9 reports · 24% of complaints
Owner complaints37Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train9
  2. Other or unspecified7
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Engine5
  5. Structure4
  6. Suspension4
  7. Steering3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingMar 8, 2018

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.

    If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.

    Campaign 18V160000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 20, 2017

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

    Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

    Campaign 17V821000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

9 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Feb 13, 2026

    The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there were two open recalls on the VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (Power Train) and 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact scheduled an appointment with a dealer, and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. Upon picking the vehicle and exiting the parking lot, the contact heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

  2. Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2023

    I purchased this vehicle from a private party and insured it and my insurance offers free carfax after checking through its history i see that it has 2 pending recalls and one of them has a buyback program, i called dealerships and the Chrysler warranty phone number but they do not want to buy it back even though that is one of the remedy's , the main problem is with the driveshaft which can separate due to a axle pinion bolt and cause an accident i really do not want to deal with these recalls and would rather go with the available option of having it repurchased from chrysler

  3. Power train, Feb 16, 2022

    Driving home from the store the rear end locked up, sheared off my drive shaft. Caused a slight skid. There was a low hum when I let off the gas. I thought it was road noise. It got louder as I got closer to home. As I hit the brakes to turn into my neighborhood it was very loud. As soon as I turned and hit the accelerator I heard a loud noise and started to skid into the curb. There as a loud banging as my drive shaft spun and hit everything under my truck.

  4. Suspension, Power train, Jan 10, 2022

    Took the truck in for tire rotation and was told they couldn't do it due to the rear frame being severely rusted out I have noticed this is a very common problem with this year truck in the same area mine is rusted out

  5. Power train, Dec 8, 2021

    The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the front passenger’s side axle fractured and detached, which caused the front passenger’s side tire to detach. Additionally, the failure caused brake damage, and the front passenger’s side door would not open due to damage done to the fender. Prior to the failure, the front driver’s side axle also fractured and detached a year prior. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

  6. Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jun 25, 2021

    I was driving down road when I heard a clanking noise coming from back of truck. I was going about 26mph and I checked for warning lights and system info that shows Temps, but everything was showing normal. The noise got louder ,so I took foot off gas pedal, which then started getting a loud rubbing noise coming from wheels. Truck slowed down quickly. When I pressed gas pedal the clanking/grinding noise got louder. I was close to a 7-Eleven entry way,so I took foot off gas. I then heard a loud clanking (like metal dropped on pavement), so I turned to enter 7-Eleven area to get truck out of road . Truck turned into entrance and came to a dead stop. No of pedals were pushed, engine was in drive, and noise got louder. I turned off truck, cause of noise and dashboard had most lights on adif you were going to start engine. There were no red warnings or messages showing on dashboard. With engine off, I got out of truck and looked under my truck and the rear driveshaft was completely off sitting on road, and the rear transmission joint it connects to was dumping transmission fluid onto pavement. Fluid was bright green with nothing in it. The truck would not move, all 4 wheels were locked up. Me and several people tried pushing truck so the rear end was in roadway. Put truck would not move at all. If you turned key to put into neutral the clanking/grind noise would start again so shutdown engine. I called roadside assistance to come tow truck to dealership a few miles from where I was. Talking with others they said never seen something like this happen. Especially with the truck being '09, with only 58,505 miles. The dealership has a technician looking at it to see what parts it needs and to see what parts are discontinued. I told service rep. it was strange it came without a warning, she said it's a common problem, happens all the time. That's shocking, I had no control when driveshaft came off. I was turning, it jerked to a stop, messed up 3 ribs and hip.

  7. Power train, Oct 8, 2018

    HAD T79 SAFETY RECALL DONE NOW TRUCK LOCKS IN PARK ON INCLINE OR ROLLS BECAUSE ITS NOT IN PARK

  8. Power train, Apr 6, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

  9. Power train, Apr 2, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DEMONTROND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 888 INTERSTATE 45 S, CONROE, TX 77304, (281) 528-1700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.