2009 Dodge RAM 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Body, Seats · 168,701 miles · WV

Frame appears bad in several spots, so much rust. Rust on virtually every panel on the body. Above windshield middle of of door. It literally everywhere. The leather seats are junked. I understand it's a 11 year old vehicle but truck is falling apart everywhere you look. You can look inside the truck has been very well cared for drives horribly makes so many sounds from rattles to clunks.mostly on 2 lane roads afraid to drive much interstate after having tire blowing out sidewalk going down interstate eats tires on the inside on both sides been lined up still same result. Exhaust manifolds leaking bad.

Filed Aug 24, 2015 · Suspension · 12,000 miles · OH

Vehicle has had multiple suspension component failures (3 occurrences) resulting in uneven tire wear and catastrophic tire failure at highway speeds. Manufacturer has not resolved the problem despite multiple returns to the dealership. The vehicle has approximately 58,698 miles and requires both the outer tie rod ends to be replaced for the third time. (dealership assessment as of 08/15/2015, dealer #23432.) the condition results in unsafe play in the steering, premature tire failure and an audible clunk when turning the vehicle. The vehicle is primarily used on the highway and has never been taken off-road. The vehicle use is best described as extremely light duty.

Filed Aug 15, 2013 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · OR

While driving down the freeway at 65mph I heard a whining sound. I reached my exit and there was a clunking sound and I immediately pulled over and turned the truck off. When I inspected the truck the drive line was on the ground disconnected from the rear axle. The gears were locked up and the truck could not move. Truck was towed to the dealership the next day. After 5 weeks there are still no replacement parts. They are repairing the truck and using stock replacement parts that contain the same defect that caused the failure. 8/15/13 the warranty center said the non-defective replacement parts are on national backorder.

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · MI

Had issue with clunking noise from rear end approximately 1 year after purchasing vehicle. Took truck into the dealership and was told by the service advisor that the pinion nut was loose and the rear driveshaft could have separated at any time. It is now 3 years later and I am receiving a recall notice for this same rear axle pinion nut. I called the dealership to have it corrected and chrysler does not have the parts required to remedy a permanent fix. The safety recall form from chrysler also states that parts are not available to correct. I can't believe that this was not addressed way back in 2009 when it was supposedly corrected and that chrysler would let me drive a vehicle that had a known defect.

Filed Sep 12, 2012 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · CA

Heard a clunking and whining sound while driving. Suddenly, I heard a loud thud sound really loud, the rear end locked up and white smoke was filling up the air behind my truck. I had to wait for a car to pass. The pounding became super loud. I was in the fast lane and the truck jerked, I tried merging to the right lane and as I did that, I could barely control my steering wheel. My truck started to slide sideways down the highway. Later, once the truck stopped sideways on the highway approximately 150 ft, I realized the loud thud was my drive shaft, it disconnected from the rear differential and hit the ground. The truck almost flipped over and I was on a bridge. My truck was then pushed by a highway patrol car out of traffic and later onto a tow truck because it could not be moved. The drive shaft was laying on the ground. Oil was pouring out of rear differential. (pics available) once at the dodge dealer, I was told that the pin in the drive shaft had fallen off and a large portion of it was not there anymore (probably still on the highway). Once that broke off apparently it stuck in the rear axle which locked up my back tires. At first they asked me if I had a rear differential check up lately. I explained that they serviced my car last and would be the ones to know if it needed it. Then I did research and found so many others with same truck and same exact problem. It was scary and glad I didn't have my family in the car when it happened. My lower back is still in major pain, I had to go to an orthopedic surgeon and now on 3 different pain meds- and out of work. What a mess!

Filed Jan 20, 2010 · Transmission · 100 miles · MI

2009 dodge ram 1500 st has a severe vibration at 60 MPH. Service tech at dealer thinks there is a bind in driveline. Truck will clunk at times when stopped at red light. Chrysler says it is normal. I am afraid drive shaft may break causing damage, or accident.