The Lemon Index2009 Ram 1500.
The 2009 Ram 1500 is about average by owner complaints: 140 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 93, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2009–2018 Ram 1500, 22.7M views. The 2009 is the same truck.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.5M views
RAM Key fob Not Working / Responding **Quick Fix**- 2016 Ram 1500MJ Altairy · 431K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Adjust/Aim Headlights on a 2009–2018 Ram 1500/2500/3500 (DIY)LethalGarage · 484K views · 5 videos - Steering & suspension1.0M views
How to Install a 2012-2014 Ram 1500 4-Inch Suspension Lift KitRough Country · 469K views · 8 videos - Oil changes & service659K views
100k Mile Service Ram 1500 Truck 4th Gen 2008-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 579K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4624K views
How to Replace Front CV Axles 2011-2018 Ram 15001A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 357K views · 5 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers613K views
How to Replace The Lifters and Camshaft on a 2013 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi (Every Step in 30 Minutes!)Jack Fletcher · 613K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors498K views
How to Replace Camshaft Sensor 2011-2018 RAM 1500TRQ · 219K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank415K views
RAM 1500 Gas Tank REMOVAL - DIY - 2009-2018BoostedMotorsports · 361K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ram Truck 1500 4th Generation 2009-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 2.6M views
2010 Ram 1500 250,000 miles - reliability reviewReagan Hughes · 91K views
Top 5 Problems Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 2003-2009 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 71K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,034 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ram 1500 year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 92K miles on the car (702 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 38K–85K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 40K–96K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 49K–101K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- steering 2013
The left tie rod assembly may break.
Show all 7 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2013
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pin.
- transmission & drivetrain 2012
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.
- steering 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14,…
- steering 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,782 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 55 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
- This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line
- Steering wander
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
- ClosedChrysler's execution of 13v-528 & 5292014–2016
- ClosedRear differential failure2012–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Rear differential failure. Pinion Bolt came loose causing the entire rear differential/rear end to lock up as I was driving. My truck would not accelerate nor move in neutral after the pinion Bolt came loose.
2009 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10467196
More owner reports
Rear wheels locking up -- possibly due to a problem with the vehicles' differential. Broken pin? This needs to be fixed asap! If I was on the highway there could have been fatalities.
NHTSA complaint 10467578
Truck was in park then vehicle left park and went into reverse with no one inside at the time, went up hill with speed and crashed into neighbors car. Dodge says no recalls were reported.
NHTSA complaint 10269756
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ram 1500 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 93; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2009 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (26%), steering (23%) and suspension (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ram 1500 have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ram 1500 get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 92,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,300 miles, from 702 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ram 1500 have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works