Is the 2009 Ram 1500 a bad year?
707 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 240, 3.3× a quiet 1500 year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2009 Ram 1500 were filed between 43k and 97k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 240 (34%) | 43k–97k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 58 (8%) | 47k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 51 (7%) | 40k–77k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 45 (6%) | 36k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 103 (15%) | 55k–102k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 59 (8%) | 42k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 45 (6%) | 52k–114k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 38 (5%) | 46k–81k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Brakes | 36 (5%) | 37k–97k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 34 (5%) | 32k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 31 (4%) | 59k–107k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lighting | 20 (3%) | 50k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 16 (2%) | 33k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 12 (2%) | 12k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 707 complaints: 29 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 20 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Feb 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The rear axle pinion nut on my truck is recalled causing major safety issue. Chrysler is refusing to do anything other than telling people to wait and they are ok to continue to drive the vehicle until it breaks.
On my 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 quad-cab 4X4, at 43,000 miles, while changing the oil and oil filter, the drain plug nut on the inside of the oil pan broke loose from the welds.
While driving there was an extremely loud grinding noise coming from the rear end.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Ram 1500: 4
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.
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. 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.
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange. If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive. If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 173
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) Engineering is seeking information regarding OFA leaks
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Electrical overstress
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Rear Differential Failure
Neighbouring years
2008 1500: 553 complaints, keep it · 2010 1500: 488 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Ram 1500 a bad year?
707 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 240, 3.3× a quiet 1500 year. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2009 Ram 1500 were filed between 43k and 97k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (240), visibility and wipers (58), wheels (51), body structure (45), electrical system (103). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 43k–97k miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ram 1500 have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-160), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 13V-038), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 12V-474). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.