2009 Ram 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (5) · Structure:body (4) · Engine (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ram 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2018-03-08 · campaign 18V160000 · 218,617 vehicles
Defect: 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, p
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
Defect: 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 op
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (186)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-07-28 · 106241 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-06-12 · 104974 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-05-01 · 103774 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Showing the 6 most recent of 186 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-02-13 · Power Train · 120,000 mi“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 …”
2024-02-18 · Suspension“i bought this 2009 dodge ram laramie about a year ago been riding like new but 4 days ago starting to hear a bad whining noise from the rear end and i see this truck had a recall on the pinion nut i think it's coming lose from the pinion…”
2024-01-10 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 ram 1500. the contact stated that the air conditioner, heater, and defogger were inoperable. the climate control warning light was not illuminated. the contact replaced the climate control module; however, the failure persisted. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 200,000.…”
2023-06-20 · Structure:body“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. …”
2023-06-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“in researching the vin for my vehicle, a 2009 dodge ram 1500, it shows there are no recalls on it but i've recently found that the front fuel tank bracket has rusted out of the frame of the vehicle i believe this vin should fall under safety recall u04 / nhtsa 18v-160 frame bracket. this is the subject of that safety recall which has impacted my v…”
2023-04-24 · Engine“when driving the vehicle at lower speeds, usually between 25 to 38 mph, the engine will surge for about 1 to 2 seconds then back to normal as long as i remain in that speed range. it happens each time within that range of speed. …”
2023-04-03 · Steering“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 m…”
2023-02-12 · Electrical System“tipm causing horn to work not work goes off by itself. locks don’t work windshield wipers stop working or don’t work at all. airbags not working. caused battery to overcharge and begin to smoke. replaced battery …”
2022-08-24 · Unknown Or Other“the hvac system behind dashboard stopped working and there is no air or heat it keeps making a loud clicking noise for about 1 minute and goes away and then 5 minutes later it does it again for another 5 minutes i took to a shop the said the hvac system behind the dash went out and you have to remove the whole dashboard and replace the whole hvac s…”
2022-06-17 · Exterior Lighting“the third brake light stays lit even when key is off and gets extremely hot. rear brake lights come on when key is turned on making them indistinguishable from running lights. this happens even if brake pedal switch is removed!…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.