2009 Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Ram 1500 has a Good verdict among Ram 1500 model years, with 37 complaints, a complaint index of 0, and 2 recalls. Its verdict is capped to Good rather than Best because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #14 of 14 1500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 37
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2009 Ram 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (24%)
- Electrical System7 (19%)
- Other7 (19%)
- Engine5 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (14%)
- Structure & Body4 (11%)
- Brakes3 (8%)
- Steering3 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (5%)
- HVAC1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Loose rear axle pinion nuts caused sudden stops severe enough to throw a driver into the steering wheel.
- Truck beds reportedly felt like they were separating or falling off while driving.
- Exhaust manifold bolts snapped off the heads, in one case causing a loss of vehicle control and in another repeating after a dealer repair under warranty.
- The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) failed, disabling door locks, wipers, air conditioning, the blower fan, and the horn.
- ABS control modules developed internal shorts that triggered ABS, ESP, and traction control warning lights.
- After the 17V821000 recall repair, one truck stayed in park on an incline or rolled instead of holding gear.
2009 Ram 1500 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V160000Mar 8, 2018Fuel System218,617 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Transmission & Powertrain1,482,874 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
2009 compared with other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Ram 1500 reliable?
- Among Ram 1500 model years, the 2009 ranks 14th worst (meaning it's near the low end for complaints) with only 37 complaints and a complaint index of 0. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this year.
- What problems does the 2009 Ram 1500 have?
- Owners most often reported transmission and powertrain issues (9 complaints, 24% of the total), followed by electrical system problems (7 complaints, 19%) including TIPM failures.
- Does the 2009 Ram 1500 have a transmission recall?
- Yes. Recall 17V821000 covers 2009-2017 Ram 1500 trucks for a transmission/powertrain issue involving the software and BTSI, with dealers updating software and inspecting or replacing parts as needed.
- Why isn't the 2009 Ram 1500 rated Best?
- Its verdict is capped to Good because complaint records for the 2005-2009 model years are less complete, even though its complaint index of 0 is the lowest among Ram 1500 years shown.
- What mileage do 2009 Ram 1500 problems show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 81,707 miles, with transmission and powertrain issues showing up at a median of 89,252.5 miles.