Dodge Ram 1500 problems
0 safety recalls. 679 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB, V6 ENGINE. DIAL GEAR SHIFTER GOES OUT OF PARK WHILE STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK. WILL MOVE FORWARD. I WAS STOPPED(STATIONARY), VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. ON A HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD, THE STRIKING VEHICLE IN FRONT. POLICE REPORT COMPLETED,…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE DATE REPORTED JULY 09, 2009 NHTSA REFERENCE #10030926 TSB REFERENCE #TSB-09-041 DESCRIPTION: CHRYSLER: DODGE-APPROXIMATELY 125,182 VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH ESP SALES CODE (BNB ) HAVE A CONDITION THAT MAY SET THE ABS,…
THE MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE 5.7 HEMI BREAK SOMETIMES BREAKS OFF IN THE HEAD AND ARE NOT EASILY REMOVED. THUS CAUSING AN EXHAUST LEAK (AKA HEMI TICK). AND MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 77000 MILES ON IT. BOUGHT USED SO NO WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIRS.
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTANTLY FAILS, BUT BULB IS OK. WINDOWS INTERMITTANTLY ROLL THEMSELVES DOWN. KEY(FOB) GETS STUCK IN RECEPTICALE. PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD SPRAYER DOES NOT SPRAY WATER.
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Common questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 679 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 216 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Ram 1500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 679 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.