2009 Dodge RAM 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 231about this part
- Share
- 34%of 670 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 231 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500, 34% of the 670 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving about 25 miles per hour when I heard a loud pop or bang. The truck felt slightly funny. Put into neutral and coasted to an empty parking lot. Approx 75 to 100 feet and stopped. When I tried to move the vehicle again it would lock up within a foot of travel. Had to tow it to a garage. The rear axle is locked up the rear flange is sitting at a crooked angle.”
NHTSA complaint #11280806, filed 2019-11, 118,000 miles“Driving like any other day when turning onto state route. Heard a loud pop sound and my rear tires locked up. Luckily the oncoming traffic just missed us (had my daughter in the vehicle with me). Certified mechanic says it is the front pinion bearing that went out causing the tires to lock up. It happened when I was going at a relatively slow speed but I did slide into oncoming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11343820, filed 2020-08, 105,000 miles“While driving on the hwy at 73 MPH my truck randomly went from being in automatic to manual, stuck in 4th gear. It would not come out of 4th. After almost being rear ended due to my abrupt drop in speed I was able to coast and then brake to a stop on the side of the busy hwy. I had to turn the truck all the way off and then back on to redet it. As I crawled at a slow speed to get off the near exist it did it again.”
NHTSA complaint #11326466, filed 2020-05, 156,000 miles“I noticed that when breaking at a red light or during high traffic areas, my truck looses complete power. I cannot turn the steering wheel and the engine shuts down. It doesn't happen all the time, but enough to worry about not being able to steer away from traffic. I don't know if there is a recall for this issue, but I will certainly will like to get some information about this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11127923, filed 2018-09, 106,000 miles“Rear axle recall. My 2009 Dodge ram was part of a recall regarding rear axle problems where rear axle could lock up. Recall work was performed by the dealer but did not solve the problem. On may 7 2016 at approximately 7pm my rear axle locked up while driving down the highway. The rear yoke broke away from the rear axle assembly and driveshaft was almost twisted in half.”
NHTSA complaint #10863901, filed 2016-05, 109,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V038000Feb 6, 2013Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2009–2012, Dakota 2009–2011, Durango 2009 +1 more
- 12V474000Oct 2, 2012Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2009–2010, Dakota 2009–2010
Related service bulletins
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10159951Nov 21, 2015Flash: MIL Illumination With Transmission And Driveability Improvements This bulletin involves flash reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. The…
- 10058515Jun 9, 2015Ram: this bulletin provides procedure on reprogramming power train module with the most updated software *cn updated 10/2/15
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 | 176 | 26% |
| 2010 | 229 | 47% |
| 2009 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 | 594 | 51% |
| 2004 | 181 | 16% |
| 2003 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 | 45 | 9% |
| 1999 | 59 | 10% |
| 1998 | 85 | 16% |
| 1997 | 56 | 16% |
| 1996 | 52 | 17% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500
97 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsOther or unknown
53 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsWheels
50 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsTires
36 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsSteering
28 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology