Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems
moderate 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 38 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 38 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also includes Filter (52108325AA) and Gasket (52108332AA).~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: MIL Illumination With Transmission And Driveability Improvements This bulletin involves flash reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. The customer may experience a MIL illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that any of the following erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ? U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module. 2010 DJ 5.7L (Sales Code EZC) Attempting to clear this DTC will be unsuccessful. ? P050D - Cold Start Rough Idle. ? P2181 - Cooling System Performance has been set. ? P0935 - Line Pressure Sensor Circuit High. All RFE transmissions. P0300 through P0308 - Multiple and Single Cylinder Misfire. This condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2009 Dodge Ram 1500s—particularly those with the 5.7L Hemi—report two dominant engine failures. The first is roller lifter seizure, typically audible as knocking or ticking at idle and under acceleration. The seized lifter grinds the camshaft lobe flat, killing one cylinder and triggering a misfire code. This happens anywhere from 25,000 to 131,000 miles and requires camshaft and lifter replacement—a $4,300+ job. Dealerships have fielded enough of these that parts are on backorder. Chrysler changed the part number on the lifters, suggesting awareness of a defect, but refuses recall or extended warranty coverage.
The second widespread failure is exhaust manifold bolt fracture, colloquially called "Hemi tick." Bolts corrode or break from heat stress as early as 31,000 miles, allowing exhaust to leak at startup. Some bolts snap off inside the head. Diesel repair shops can address this, but many owners find themselves excluded from a Chrysler recall despite having the same year and engine as covered vehicles. A few owners also report engine stalling without warning at highway speeds, rough idle with hesitant acceleration, and one case of the engine running after the key was removed and battery disconnected. Check engine lights frequently persist despite repeated dealer component replacements.
Same Dodge Ram 1500 engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Roller Lifter Seizure and Camshaft Damage
Roller lifters seize up, grinding the camshaft lobe flat and causing cylinder misfire. Owners report this occurs at relatively low mileage and is widespread enough that dealerships have encountered parts backlogs for replacement lifters.
When: 31,000 to 131,000 miles; some reports as early as 25,000 miles on online forums cited
Symptoms owners cite: Engine ticking or knocking noise at idle and acceleration; Check engine light illumination; Cylinder misfire (commonly cylinder 5); Loss of power under acceleration; Shuddering under load on hills; Stalling
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Multiple cylinder misfire implied), Cylinder-specific misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs range from $4,300 to unknown amounts for lifter replacement and camshaft replacement. One owner paid $1,045 for misdiagnosis as fuel pump failure. Dealership parts backorders reported due to high frequency of failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler changed part numbers on lifters, acknowledging awareness of defect. No recall or extended warranty program mentioned. Owners report manufacturer denies acknowledging the problem when asked for assistance.
Exhaust Manifold Bolt Fracture (Hemi Tick)
Bolts securing the exhaust manifold to the engine head fracture due to heat stress, causing exhaust leaks. The issue is so widespread it has an informal name ('Hemi tick'). Bolts are wrong material type per TSB, and some break off inside the head, making removal difficult.
When: 31,000 to 95,000+ miles; typically noticeable on cold startup
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking, knocking, popping, or clicking noise from engine compartment; Noise most pronounced at startup, diminishes as engine warms; Exhaust odor or fumes in cabin; Driver drowsiness from exhaust fume exposure
Repairs/costs cited: Bolt replacement necessary. One owner replaced bolts in 2014, but tapping recurred in 2015. Local repair shops performing work. Cost not specified in most narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB issued (per narrative #6). Recall was issued but many vehicles with same year and engine type report being excluded from recall coverage despite matching specifications. Dealers told owners vehicle 'was not included' even though same year, same engine.
Engine Stalling Without Warning
Engine stalls randomly while driving at various speeds, with several incidents needed before restart. Occurs on highway and local roads, creating safety hazard.
When: 46,000 to 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Random engine stalling at 40 MPH and higher speeds; Multiple restart attempts required; No warning indicators in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure in at least one case; no repairs performed. Root cause not identified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case; no response or repairs made.
Persistent Engine Noise (Low Squeal)
Low-frequency squeal from engine or transmission area that worsens over time. Noise begins after 1–2 minutes of starting and continues. Dealer unable to identify source and claimed it was normal despite comparison vehicles not exhibiting the same noise.
When: 1,200 to 1,500 miles (very early in vehicle life)
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous low squeal from engine/transmission area; Noise becomes more pronounced over time; Noise starts 1–2 minutes after starting
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to investigate further, claiming inability to locate source. Owner compared to other 2009 Ram 1500s and confirmed the noise was not present in other vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership declined to investigate.
Engine Runs Without Key and Battery Disconnected
Engine continues running after vehicle is placed in Park and key is removed from ignition. Engine continues running even after battery terminals are disconnected. Owner had to pull fuses one by one to shut the engine off.
When: 60,000 miles; also reported at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine continues running after key removed and vehicle in Park; Engine continues running with battery terminals disconnected; Engine will not shut off until fuse is removed
Repairs/costs cited: Owner pulled fuses until engine shut off; root cause and repair not detailed in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in reported incident.
Check Engine Light and Misfire with Unable-to-Identify Root Cause
Check engine light illuminates repeatedly. Dealer replaced multiple components and reflashed PCM, but light continues to return. Dealer resorts to repeatedly resetting light rather than diagnosing root cause.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Light returns after reset
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced multiple components and reflashed PCM without resolving issue. No root cause identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Timing Chain Failure
Timing chain failed, causing catastrophic engine failure. Minimal detail provided in narrative.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Catastrophic engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided.
Rough Idle and Hesitant Acceleration
Engine idles poorly with rpm fluctuation. Under acceleration, rpms climb incrementally in steps rather than smoothly, particularly noticeable on cold morning start where rpms drop suddenly after initial acceleration.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle with rpm fluctuation; Hesitant acceleration with rpm climbing in 100-rpm increments; Sudden rpm drop during acceleration followed by kick-back; Most noticeable on cold morning startup
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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.
Had engine trouble with your 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 38 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 40,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Dodge/Ram 1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.