Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Owners filed 679 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Jan 2009 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is power train (233).
Complaints
679
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
29
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train233
- Electrical system97
- Engine51
- Wheels51
- Structure41
- Tires37
- Suspension35
- Air bags34
- Fuel/propulsion system33
- Steering31
- Visibility/wiper30
- Visibility28
- Service brakes28
- Exterior lighting19
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
13
19
14
58
136
79
141
75
39
32
32
15
11
3
2
2
6
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2013 | 136 |
| 2014 | 79 |
| 2015 | 141 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
233 reports7 crashes2 related recalls
“- Week of October 6th 2025 I experienced 4-wheel drive issues and lights. - October 13th 2025 dropped off to dealer for review - October 14th 2025 dealer deemed not safe to drive and ordered parts under warranty repair. - following weeks went on with parts being backordered. - after having to push the dealer for updates for weeks on December 22nd 2025 I informed Stellantis Customer Service US. - Customer service looked into and gave me the same delayed responses for weeks now "I hope you're doing well. I'm following up regarding your case. There is no definite ETA for the part. Our parts team is working to get it expedited. I will receive another update in 5-6 business days and will follow up with you then. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me." - Still today Stellantis cannot give me a date when my truck will be repaired. Near 4months later...”
Electrical system
97 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered on the title that the mileage was 211,492.”
Engine
51 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that an abnormal, ticking noise would emit from the vehicle upon startup without warning. He also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the engine would rev without warning. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact believed that the failure was related to a defective exhaust manifold. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Wheels
51 reports1 crash
“TPMS WHEEL VALVE BONNET CRACKING. NOTICED ONE BONNET CRACKED, TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD REPLACED COMPLETE TPMS WHEEL VALVE ASSEMBLY, NOTED A FEW MONTHS LATER THAT TWO OTHER WHEEL VALVE ASSEMBLY BONNETS WERE SEVERELY CRACKED, ORDERED TPMS VALVE KITS WHICH CONTAINED NEW VALVE STEM BONNETS AND REPLACED CRACKED BONNET UNITS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALMOST 100K MILES.”
Structure
41 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the fuel tank was not completely secured to the vehicle and was hanging down from the subframe. The failure was caused by a corroded subframe attaching the fuel tank straps to the vehicle. Both fuel tank straps had failed due to the subframe corrosion. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN and vehicles from the state of Kansas were not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 149,000.”
Tires
37 reports
“I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO WORK ONE MORNING. I WAS TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 70MPH IN A STRAIGHT STRETCH. ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO WOBBLE AND I HAD THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH. AFTER NO MORE THAN 2 SECONDS THE TRUCK PULLED EXTREMELY HARD TO THE RIGHT. I KNEW THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SAFELY PULL OFF AND AVOID THE TRACTOR TRAILER FROM SLAMMING INTO ME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE, I NOTICED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A VALVE STEM IN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE RAIN BUT BROKE THE CHEAP LUG WRENCH THAT IS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THE DEALERSHIP OVER TORQUED THE LUG NUTS. I HAD TO GET A RIDE TO WORK, BEING 1.5 HOURS LATE AND LEAVE MY TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE ALL DAY. MY FATHER IN LAW WORKS FOR A TIRE AND LUBE CENTER. HE PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED IT. THE THREADS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AND VALVE STEM. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED IT TO VIOLENTLY EJECT FROM THE WHEEL ITSELF. BY GODS' GOOD GRACES I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THAT DAY AND NOT CRASH OR DIE DUE TO THE HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.