2009 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Owners have filed 884 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Drivetrain & axles is the most reported problem area, at 26% of complaints. After that come electrical system (11%) and engine (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 884 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 42 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 26 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 67,000 miles 722 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 85 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 97 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 126 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 136 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 124 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 63 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 35 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 27 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 15 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 8 |
| 200k+ miles | 6 |
What the data shows
Among the 722 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 67,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (146 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 42 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 26 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 with enough data (465 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Air bag did not deploy/seat belt did not lock. I was the only person in my vehicle. I accidentally rear ended a car who had abruptly stopped in traffic in front of me. Severe heavy damage was done to the front driver side and passenger side of my vehicle. My dodge was declared a total loss. I suffered severe pain/injury to my head and neck. All persons involved in my and the other vehicle had to seek medical attention. My 2009 dodge ram was purchased new off the dodge lot in 2009...updated 10/20/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 50 MPH in rainy weather conditions the road surface was bumpy and muddy. There was also a loud popping noise outside of the vehicle. The vehicle began to fishtail and suddenly, the traction control system activated. The driver applied pressure to the brake pedal, followed by no power response. The vehicle crashed into a ditch. The driver sustained a broken nose. The police and ambulance were called to the scene.
Rear diff started blowing fluid everywhere, wobbling and the seal went. Dodge charged me $$ to fix that. Pinion nut was not replaced because the haven't manufactured it. Dealership informed me my pinion nut was tightened to spec... Now july hits, my diff is whining really loud. Starts approx: 15MPH worse at speeds around 45MPH. When you reach 65/70MPH there is a really loud whistling sound with the whine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light illuminated. Also, while driving at high speeds, the front passenger and the rear driver side tire valves fractured on two occasions. As a result, both tires became flat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer twice who repaired the valves and replaced the tires, but the TPMS warning light remained illuminated. In addition, while driving at 70 MPH, the driver side tire valve fractured and the tire went flat.