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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 Ram 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
24%of 37 total for the year
Median mileage
89,252miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Ram 1500, 24% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,252 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving down road when I heard a clanking noise coming from back of truck. I was going about 26mph and I checked for warning lights and system info that shows Temps, but everything was showing normal. The noise got louder ,so I took foot off gas pedal, which then started getting a loud rubbing noise coming from wheels. Truck slowed down quickly. When I pressed gas pedal the clanking/grinding noise got louder. I was close to a 7-Eleven entry way,so I took foot off gas. …”

NHTSA complaint #11422358, filed 2021-06, 58,505 miles

“Driving home from the store the rear end locked up, sheared off my drive shaft. Caused a slight skid. There was a low hum when I let off the gas. I thought it was road noise. It got louder as I got closer to home. As I hit the brakes to turn into my neighborhood it was very loud. As soon as I turned and hit the accelerator I heard a loud noise and started to skid into the curb. There as a loud banging as my drive shaft spun and hit everything under my truck.”

NHTSA complaint #11452184, filed 2022-02

“I purchased this vehicle from a private party and insured it and my insurance offers free carfax after checking through its history i see that it has 2 pending recalls and one of them has a buyback program, i called dealerships and the Chrysler warranty phone number but they do not want to buy it back even though that is one of the remedy's , the main problem is with the driveshaft which can separate due to a axle pinion bolt and cause an accident i really do not want to deal with these recalls and would rather go with the available option of having it repurchased from chrysler”

NHTSA complaint #11515288, filed 2023-04

“The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there were two open recalls on the VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (Power Train) and 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact scheduled an appointment with a dealer, and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. Upon picking the vehicle and exiting the parking lot, the contact heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and remained with the dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #11717891, filed 2026-02, 120,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the front passenger’s side axle fractured and detached, which caused the front passenger’s side tire to detach. Additionally, the failure caused brake damage, and the front passenger’s side door would not open due to damage done to the fender. Prior to the failure, the front driver’s side axle also fractured and detached a year prior. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11443136, filed 2021-12, 200,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261010%
20254913%
20241519%
20232914%
202210817%
202110015%
20206310%
201920714%
2018609%
20179811%
201620213%
201522615%
201419211%
2013867%
2009924%

Other parts of the 2009 Ram 1500

Other or unknown
7 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Wheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 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