- Week of October 6th 2025 I experienced 4-wheel drive issues and lights. - October 13th 2025 dropped off to dealer for review - October 14th 2025 dealer deemed not safe to drive and ordered parts under warranty repair. - following weeks went on with parts being backordered. - after having to push the dealer for updates for weeks on December 22nd 2025 I informed Stellantis Customer Service US. - Customer service looked into and gave me the same delayed responses for weeks now "I hope you're doing well. I'm following up regarding your case. There is no definite ETA for the part. Our parts team is working to get it expedited. I will receive another update in 5-6 business days and will follow up with you then. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me." - Still today Stellantis cannot give me a date when my truck will be repaired. Near 4months later...
2009 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems
231 complaints (34% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 69,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 231
- of this car's complaints
- 34%
- typical mileage
- 69,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Driveline: differential unit6
- Driveline: driveshaft3
- Driveline3
- Automatic transmission3
- Axle assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 the federal safety agency, 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 number 13V038000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 12V474000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rear Differential Failure
In a letter dated October 2, 2012, Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency identifying a safety defect in approximately 48,058 vehicles built with an axle pinion nut that can loosen, which could result in lock-up of the rear axle and/or separation of the rear drive shaft from the rear axle (the federal safety agency Recall No. 12V‑474).The vehicles involved in this recall are model year (MY) 2009 and MY 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 (46,677) and Dodge Dakota (1,381) vehicles manufactured between July 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009 built with 9.25? rear axles built at Chrysler?s Detroit Axle Assembly Plant.Chrysler stated it determined during this time frame there were instances of 9.25? axles built with rear axle pinion nuts that were missing the adhesive patch.The remedy for these vehicles is to install a pinion nut retainer.In a review of data in its complaint database and data submitted by Chrysler, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified 194 reports (including 3 crash reports) of rear axle lock up and/or drive shaft separation outside of the scope of recall 12V‑474.In a letter dated February 5, 2013, Chrysler submitted a second DIR to the federal safety agency identifying another safety defect in approximately 278,150 vehicles built with 9.25? rear axles and outside of the scope of recall 12V‑474 that could also result in lock-up of the rear axle and/or rear drive separation (agencyRecall No. 13V‑038).Chrysler stated that analysis of field return parts from this vehicle population, undersized pinion splines were found as the likely factor contributing to the loosening of the pinion nut.The vehicles involved in this recall are:266,091 MY 2009?2012 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles manufactured from 2/28/09 through 6/30/09 and 12/1/09 through 10/20/11 (including 183,421 MY 2009-2010 subject vehicles); 8,475 MY 2009?2010 Dodge Dakota vehicles manufactured from 2/18/07 through 6/30/09 and 12/1/09 through 7/9/10; 2,346 MY 2009 Chrysler Aspen vehicles manufactured from 1/19/07 through 12/18/08; and 1,238 MY 2009 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from 1/17/07 through 12/18/08.The remedy for these vehicles is the same as for 12V‑474.The failure counts in this resume are for the subject MY 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles only.The recalled vehicle counts are based on current estimates from Chrysler and may differ from estimates in the original DIR's.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10489593,10489091,10488952,10485174,10485096,10484596,10484490,10483394,10483370,10482853,10482816,10482438,10479806,10479352,10478724,10477460,10477354,10476923,10476691,10475939,10475241,10475158,10473147,10472488,10470655,10470516,10470231,10470152,10469969,10469548,10469435,10468759,10468024,10467819,10467805,10467683,10467196,10466630,10464240,10448778,10445208,10443542,10439902,10375394,10362531,10353440
PE12021
What 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My trucks ignition switch just stops turing my truck on I've seen multiple complaints about the same issue leaves you stranded
the shifter began changing gears on its own. Before the recall came out my mechanic checked and there was no recall for this until 2018. I was never notified of the recall. Then on rear axle pinion nut. The nuts were installed without the proper amount of adhesive. Consequently, the nuts can loosen, and cause the rear axle to lock up, causing a loss of vehicle control. I was never notified of and the rear end came down while on the freeway. The fuel tank began leaking I repaired this before the recall came out. I submitted a reimbursement request they denied me stating my car was over 7 years old.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to bluebonnet chrysler dodge (547 s seguin ave, new braunfels, tx 78130) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was an electrical failure and an unknown module failure. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred after several months. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000.
In 2020 my 2009 dodge ram 1500 4x4 began chucking and lurching when cornering. I parked the truck at home and had it towed to the shop. The mechanics pulled the rear axle apart and found shavings and large chunks out of the pinion gear and subsequently many of the other gears and components in the rear axle. The mechanic said I was lucky it did not lock up while driving. Being that I purchased it used dodge did nothing to help me. My after market warranty was out, so I had to pay over $2,200 out of pocket to have it rebuilt because dodge stopped manufacturing the axle assembly of the 3.92 gear ratio. I got it back and drove it minimally for the past six months. Today 3/16/2021 I decided to drain and refill the rear axle with the specified dodge lubricants. While draining the axle fluid I found a shard of metal approximately 1" x 1/8" x 1/16". Very disappointed. Now I am looking at another $2,200 rebuild and the loss if my vehicle again for several weeks. This is a safety issue and dodge needs to issue a recall to all dodge owners whom this affects, not just original owners. I have repair reciept ducumentation if needed.
The vehicle dies and everything becomes disabled including all outside lights including the emergency flashers. Engine turns off and then will no restart. Sometimes this problem is intermittent but later completely fails. This is the second time in 2 years that this truck has died. The first time it happened on a foggy night. Th engine and all lights turned off at cruising speed leaving only some instrument cluster lights on which ends up bein even more of a distraction from the sudden outside darkness. After trying to find the side of the road in the darkness, then your emergency flashers do not work leaving the truck just a dark target in the road. This is extremely dangerous. Recently this same truck died a second time but thankfully after filling up a a gas station. After a quick search online, this has happened to many many dodge ram owners from 2009 to 2016 maybe newer vehicles and also other models. The dealer refers to the problem being with a totally integrated power module (tipm). I just read that there have been many complaints filed already even with the federal safety agency. Please continue to investigate, this is a major safety issue.
Recall below manufacturer refuses to repurchase as stated below thank you feb 05,2013 manufacturer recall numbern08 the federal safety agency recall number13v-038 recall statusrecall incomplete summary the rear axle pinion nut on about 278,000 of the above vehicles may loosen due to undersized pinion shaft splines. Safety risk a loose pinion nut could cause the rear axle to seize or cause the driveshaft to separate resulting in a loss of motive power. Either situation could cause a crash without warning. Remedy the rear axle pinion nut must be inspected. Rear axles found with a loose pinion nut and/or a seized up rear axle assembly must be reconditioned. Rear axles with a 6-point pinion nut that has not loosened will have a pinion nut retainer installed. All rear axles with a 12-point pinion nut require no additional repairs. To request a preliminary repurchase estimate for your vehicle follow this link http://www.fcausrepurchase.com/
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.
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.
Felt vibration in vehicle while driving above 30mph. Was driving down a city at approximately 40mph and a very loud boom happened and my truck jolted to a stop. The rear axle locked up because the pinion nut backed off.
Questions about the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission
Does the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 231 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500, 34% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 69,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 13V038000, 12V474000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge RAM 1500 have bad transmission?
The Dodge RAM 1500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (595 complaints), 2009 (231 complaints) and 2010 (229 complaints).
Other 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Electrical 97Engine 58Visibility 56Wheels 50Fuel system 43Body 41Tires 36Airbags 34Brakes 34Suspension 34Steering 28Lights 19Driver assistance 16Acceleration 12Seats 8Seat belts 6Locks 5
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