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

37 reports, newest first.

  1. Structure, Dec 5, 2018

    DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ROCKER PANELS ARE DISINTEGRATING FROM RUST.

  2. Power train, Oct 8, 2018

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

  3. Engine, Sep 26, 2018

    EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SNAP AND CREATES A LOUD TICKING SOUND AT START UP, IT IDLES HIGH THEN EVENTUALLY SMOOTHS OUT AFTER IT HEATS UP. WAS REPAIRED ONCE AT DEALER UNDER WARRANTY BUT KEEPS REOCCURRING.

  4. Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 30, 2018

    MY ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS A SHORT IN IT, THIS SET UP MY ABS, ESP AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS TO COME ON IN THE CLUSTER. THERE WAS A TSB-09-041 ISSUED ON JULY 9, 2009 WARNING THE DEALERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NHTSA NUMBER TSB IS 10030926. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, MANY CONSUMERS WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE GOT BURNED, I KNOW MY TRUCK IS NOW 9 YEARS OLD, BUT THIS PART SHOULD HAVE NEVER SHORTED OUT. CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NO ONE NOTIFIED ME, AND NOW I GET STUCK WITH A BIG BILL THAT MAYBE CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE FIXED YEARS AGO. YES, I'M PRETTY PISSED. I KNOW YOU PEOPLE AT NHSTA DO THE BEST YOU CAN, BUT CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR VEHICLE, AND ISSUED THE BULLETIN TO THEIR DEALERS. MAYBE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AT THE TIME OF THE BULLETIN TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULES THAT WERE BAD FROM THE GET GO, NOW YEARS LATER THE DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BACK IN 2009, HAS TO BE REPLACED NOW, AND IT'S EXPENSIVE. SOMEHOW CHRYSLER GOT IT RIGHT AFTER THE 2009 MODEL YEAR, NO OTHER MODELS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE LIKE THE 2009 MODEL. DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY CHRYSLER WHEN THEY KNEW THEY WERE NO GOOD.

  5. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2018

    THE TIPM IS FAILING HAVING ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS, RIGHT SIDE DOORS LOCKS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, AC NOT WORKING--LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE.

  6. Other or unspecified, May 18, 2018

    VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FUEL TANK BRACKET RECALL. WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THE FRAME RUSTED THRU AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD WITH RECALL. I FEEL THE FRAME WILL BE A SAFETY PROBLEM IN NEAR FUTURE. VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES MANY LIKE VEHICLES IN MY AREA.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. Suspension, Mar 27, 2018

    2009 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOOSE REAR AXLE PINION NUTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE TO COME A SUDDEN STOP CAUSING THE DRIVERS' CHEST TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER SIGNIFICANT CHEST PAINS. THE CONSUMER STATED FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE REAR AXLE RECALL. *JS *BF VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR SAFETY RECALL 13V038 (PINION NUT) IN JANUARY 2014. UPDATED 8/14/18*JB

  10. Engine, Mar 10, 2018

    MANIFOLD BOLTS TO THE HEADS BROKE OFF. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN VEHICLE AND LOST CONTROL. THE NEED TO BE A RECALL.

  11. 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.

  12. Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2015

    BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR FOR HEATER, DEFROSTER DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK SO DEFROST OR HEATER WILL NOT PUT OUT ANY HEAT AND THEREFORE WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFROST AND HEATER WIIL NOT PUT OUT HEAT, IN MY PICKUP THIS IS ON PASSENGER SIDE. IN MONTANA WHERE IT IS STARTING TO GET COLD THIS CAN BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION