Model year record

2009 Dodge RAM 1500

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 892 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V038000

Power train: driveline: differential unit

Component: Power train: driveline: differential unit
Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC
Vehicles affected: 278,674
Reported to NHTSA: 2013-02-06
Owners notified: 2013-11-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V474000

Power train: driveline: differential unit

Component: Power train: driveline: differential unit
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Vehicles affected: 44,300
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-10-02
Owners notified: 2013-06-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train	218	70,000 mi
Electrical system	96	82,000 mi
Unknown or other	53	67,000 mi
Engine	50	80,000 mi
Wheels	49	50,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	34	97,000 mi
Air bags	33	75,000 mi
Structure: body	30	68,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	30	69,000 mi
Suspension	29	62,000 mi
Service brakes	28	59,136 mi
Steering	25	80,000 mi
Tires	23	39,700 mi
Exterior lighting	20	76,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	20	64,077 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	15	65,600 mi
Vehicle speed control	12	20,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	10	50,000 mi
Tires: valve	9	42,445 mi
Seats	8	12,000 mi
Structure	8	31,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	7	56,000 mi
Visibility	7	41,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	6	65,800 mi
Seat belts	6	32,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	5	10,869 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	4	83,000 mi
Equipment	4	31,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	17,005 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	4	45,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	4	68,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	3	39,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	3	1,200 mi
Power train: driveline	3	18,200 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	3	69,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	26,791 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	211,492 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	2	80,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	2	27,300 mi
Structure: frame and members	2	131,000 mi
Suspension: rear	2	31,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	15,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	62,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	24,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	1,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	16,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch	1	4,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	87,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	185,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft	1	30,300 mi
Structure: body: door	1	86,100 mi
Suspension: front: hub	1	91,000 mi
Traction control system	1	25,200 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	1	76,750 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	30,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	—

The 2008 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2010 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.