2009 Dodge RAM 1500: whining or grinding noise

Filed Apr 10, 2017 · Fuel system · MN

While driving I noticed a whining noise coming from under the vehicle. Upon inspection I saw the strap that holds the front of the gas tank had come loose and gas tank was falling off the truck. One side of the strap was still attached and rubbing against the drive shaft (causing the whine). The side of the strap toward the outside of the vehicle had pulled completely free at the anchor point on the frame. The anchor point was completely rusted and rotted requiring serious metal repair to reattach the strap and allow the vehicle to be driven safely again. ...updated 08/08/17 *bf

Filed Sep 3, 2016 · Body, Transmission · 90,000 miles · VA

Truck is making a loud whining noise that seems to be coming from the rear end and the front gas tank strap has come loose from the frame. The slot that it is supposed to be fastened to is rusted completely out. This is a severe safety hazzard that could be very deadly if the tank comes off. Updated 08/11/17 *bf

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 19, 2013 · Transmission · 85,500 miles · PA

Rear diff started blowing fluid everywhere, wobbling and the seal went. Dodge charged me $$ to fix that. Pinion nut was not replaced because the haven't manufactured it. Dealership informed me my pinion nut was tightened to spec... Now july hits, my diff is whining really loud. Starts approx: 15mph worse at speeds around 45mph. When you reach 65/70mph there is a really loud whistling sound with the whine. Dodge still has no part made, spoke with dodge and I have to continue to replace parts and pay repair costs for a recall they have yet to address (except for the one letter they sent me for the recall). Dodge will send a rep to evaluate the safety of my vehicle (this was the answer given to me the first time and the second), needless to say no rep was there. Dodge doesn't want you to drive an "unsafe" vehicle, however they have yet to properly repair it.. My question is, how is the vehicle safe?

Filed Feb 8, 2013 · Transmission · 60,992 miles · IN

I was driving and heard a whining noise when I released the accelerator. I was going to get my wife to have her help me to drop it off at my mechanic. I heard a loud bang and I lost the ability to drive forward. I was able to get pulled over to the curb. I got out and found the drive shaft had fallen off the rear pumpkin. I attempted to put the vehicle into 4wd do get off the street but was unable to as the rear tires had locked up. The tow truck arrived and he told me the pinion nut had given out. He winched the truck onto his flatbed and took it to the dodge dealership. They did a VIN check and found no recalls. I did a search and found a recall on the rear differential pinion nut, just not including my vehicle.

Filed Sep 19, 2012 · Steering, Transmission · 67,149 miles · PA

I am requesting the federal safety agency explore the power train issues affecting the 2009 dodge ram 1500. Driver was on highway driving at 60mph when truck starting making a whining and grinding sound which continued for about 1 mile before truck started to run funny . Driver slowed down and moved to the right lane when there was a big bang and a cloud of black smoke came from back end of truck. At the same time the rear end of the vehicle locked up and truck went skidding off the road. When driver examined car found that the entire drive shaft rod and transfer case were laying underneath of vehicle along with multiple other pieces of hardware. The transmission was also locked up and unable to release even in the neutral position. When the dodge dealer looked into the incident they stated a " pin fell out of the drive shaft and backed up into the rear causing the pin to jam the transfer case". This incident resulted in a complete rebuild of the entire power train system. We would like to see a guide rail made mandatory for dodge vehicles as this rod fallout could have resulted in a flipped vehicle. Furthermore less than 4 weeks later while driving same vehicle at 15 MPH the truck started to shake violently and had to be towed because of a shredded bolt in the rear stabilizer bar that connects the rear to the axle. Vehicle once again to dealer who claims it is all due to the initial issue.

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 Aug 7, 2012 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · CO

I heard a whining sound while driving about 40mph, decided to get off busy street to investigate. As I approached the turn lane (slowing to about 5mph) the rear end locked up. I heard a lot of rattling and then a kerplunk as smoke started coming from underneath the truck. The "kerplunk" was my drive shaft, it disconnected from the rear differential and hit the ground. My truck had to be dragged out of traffic and onto a tow truck. I don't know what caused the failure but it was scary. Im glad I was not on the highway, especially because my 3 yr and my 1 yr girls were with me.

Filed Jan 25, 2012 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · PA

I was driving home when I started hearing a whining/grinding noise from under the truck it continued for about 2 miles growing louder and louder. I realized something was very wrong with the truck so I slowed down and pulled into the turning lane, just as I did the rear end locked up and I heard a loud bang, I got out of the truck a found that the drive shaft had fallen off onto the ground. This really concerns me because had this had happened at a fast rate of speed the results could have been catastrophic. I drive my 3 year daughter around in this vehicle and now worry about hers and my safety. The dealership said the pinion gear failed throughout the ring gear causing major damage to my axle and drive shaft. The rear axle and drive shaft will need to be completely rebuilt. The work is covered under my lifetime powertrain warranty.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Transmission · 18,200 miles · CO

While driving at 75 MPH on interstate I noticed a whine which I assumed was from the grooved pavement. I then noticed it would come and go by slightly pressing on the accelerator. After a few minutes it started to get louder. I pulled to the shoulder of the highway at which point there was a loud bang and the rear wheels completely locked up. It was towed to the nearest dealer. I am waiting for the complete rear axle and driveshaft to be replaced. The rear pinion gear nut had unscrewed and the differential gears had self destructed and driveshaft fell off. There may also be damage to the transmission. It seems dodge trucks have a history of this happening. I was on the way to tow a travel trailer. This could have happened at high speeds towing a trailer in heavy holiday traffic and people could have been injured or killed.