2009 Dodge Ram 1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500: 2 recalls, 670 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #12V474000 · 2012 · 44,300 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #13V038000 · 2013 · 278,674 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear axle pinion nut May loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (231): the most common themes are noise or vibration (54), hard / delayed shifting (24).
- Electrical (97): the most common themes are door / lock issues (33), electrical failure (30), stalls / loses power (25).
- Other / unknown (52): the most common themes are noise or vibration (10).
- Wheels (50): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (43), rust / corrosion (18), noise or vibration (8).
The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 has 670 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 23 Ram 1500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 540). Complaints peaked in 2015 (141 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 67,149 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (554 complaints, 5 recalls), 2010 (486 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?
Owners have filed 670 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (231), electrical (97), other / unknown (52).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.7 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.