2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 231 of 670 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 554 in 2008 to 670 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,450 | 3,650–4,450 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–16 | 14–17 | 15–16 | 15–16 | 15–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–14 / 17–20 | 12–16 / 16–19 | 13–14 / 18–20 | 13–14 / 18–20 | 13–14 / 18–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–635 | 523–635 | 555–592 | 555–592 | 555–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 517 | 554 | 670 | 486 | 688 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 32 | 40 | 29 | 26 | 28 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 38 | 37 | 19 | 13 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 231 of 670 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup get?
EPA rates it 15–16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup?
EPA estimates $3,900–$4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 231 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 97 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 43 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 99 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 35 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 52 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 72 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 62 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 13V038000 · Feb 6, 2013
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 12V474000 · Sep 28, 2012
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.