2009 Dodge RAM 1500: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Transmission · 169,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 135,000 miles · OH

Abs system warning light and electronic stability control light on the dash are on and the vechicle braking system is causing a situation where the brakes are trying to stop the vehicle when going down the road without any input on the brake pedal. When driving, the ABS system light goes on and off at a rapid pace, and each time the vehicles rear brakes are slowing down the vehicle. I had the system checked by 2 different auto repair companies and each said the computer codes indicated an ABS control module failure and needs replaced. In the northern winter climate where I live, I'm concerned about loss of control on icy roads. I am very careful to have both hands on the wheel but it still causes a 'jerky ' feel when driving.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Transmission · 200 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 1500. When shifting into reverse, the vehicle would abnormally jerk and skip. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine oil change. The contact later discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v038000 (power train). The contact called the dealer and was informed that the recall repair had already been performed during the oil change service. The contact never received notification of the recall and was not aware that a defect ever existed in the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted intermittently. The failure mileage was 200.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Steering · 70,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 (na) dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 50 MPH and attempting to turn left, the steering wheel continuously steered to the right causing the vehicle to jerk. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked accompanied by an abnormal noise without warning. The vehicle could be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 13v038000 (power train). The technician also stated that the transmission needed to be replaced, however the transmission was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2012 · Transmission · 119,500 miles · IN

My truck started making a noise in the drive shaft area, on my way home as I was turning off the highway and my speed lowered, I felt something drop and truck jerked and something was dragging. I immediately pulled of road and put vehicle in park at which time it gave a small jerk. Once I got out of the vehicle and looked under it I could see the driveshaft laying on the ground. The rear differential pinion nut had came off.

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!