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: structure

4 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Structure, Jun 20, 2023

    Frame rail has rusted out causing this vehicle unsafe to drive. A quick google search showed this a common problem. I know Mercedes Benz have recalled rusting brake boosters and provided extended warranty on rear subframe rust. Toyota has recalled truck frames. Dodge is ignoring this issue.

  2. Structure, Mar 19, 2019

    RUSTED FRAME, REPORTED TO FCA 2/19/19 , PRESENTED TO DEALERSHIP 2/25/19, I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT LIFT TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS, THERE IS A HOLE ROTTED THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL FORWARD OF REAR TIRE. THIS COULD BE AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THE RECALL DONE FOR THE GAS TANK STRAP, FRAME RUST, THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, IT HAS 74,800 MILES, NOT A SCRATCH AND A LIFETIME POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. THIS FRAME WAS ONLY USED FOR A COUPLE YEARS, I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF ALL RAMS OF THIS VINTAGE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR WILL SHORTLY I SPOKE TO FCA ON 3/14/19, I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD TAKE MY TRUCK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD PREVENT ME FROM DRIVING MY TRUCK HOME, AND FCA WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. PRESENTLY A NEW FRAME IS NOT AVAIL COULD TAKE MONTHS TO GET, IF IT CAN BE GOTTEN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

  3. Structure, Dec 5, 2018

    DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ROCKER PANELS ARE DISINTEGRATING FROM RUST.

  4. Structure, Mar 8, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT "IT FELT LIKE THE BED OF THE VEHICLE WAS FALLING OFF." THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN TEMPLE HILLS, MD WHERE PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.