Dodge Ram 1500 2009–2010
4th generation (DS) — Dodge-branded portion only
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,514 complaints, 1,190 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,720 and 99,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 18 complaints (1.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 17,000
- 25%
- 38,720
- Median
- 66,000
- 75%
- 99,000
- 90%
- 137,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 74 | 6.2% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 66 | 5.5% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 62 | 5.2% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 103 | 8.7% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 98 | 8.2% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 110 | 9.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 116 | 9.7% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 94 | 7.9% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 106 | 8.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 70 | 5.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 81 | 6.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 40 | 3.4% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 22 | 1.8% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 37 | 3.1% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 25 | 2.1% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 28 | 2.4% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 15 | 1.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 11 | 0.9% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 10 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 18 | 1.5% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,514 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2010 Dodge Ram 1500, and 1,190 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,720 and 99,000 miles. The median is 66,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (30.6% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles), the electrical system (11.2% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles), the engine (7.3% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles).
4 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline64,000median 63,500 miles, middle half 39,000 to 95,000
- Electrical system85,000median 85,000 miles, middle half 53,000 to 105,000
- Engine84,000median 84,500 miles, middle half 60,000 to 114,000
- Problems owners could not categorise74,000median 74,450 miles, middle half 48,000 to 109,000
- Steering69,000median 68,574 miles, middle half 50,000 to 111,000
- Body structure70,000median 70,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 93,000
- Suspension65,000median 65,300 miles, middle half 44,000 to 90,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 463 | 30.6% | 64,000 | 39,000–95,000 |
| Electrical system | 169 | 11.2% | 85,000 | 53,000–105,000 |
| Engine | 111 | 7.3% | 84,000 | 60,000–114,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 80 | 5.3% | 74,000 | 48,000–109,000 |
| Steering | 68 | 4.5% | 69,000 | 50,000–111,000 |
| Body structure | 67 | 4.4% | 70,000 | 25,000–93,000 |
| Suspension | 64 | 4.2% | 65,000 | 44,000–90,000 |
| Wheels | 61 | 4.0% | 55,000 | 40,000–81,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 60 | 4.0% | 83,000 | 52,000–120,000 |
| Airbag system | 48 | 3.2% | 68,000 | 32,000–88,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 30.6% of complaints (463 reports, 298 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,200 and 95,000 miles.
A single system taking 30.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The electrical system accounts for 11.2% of complaints (169 reports, 148 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,900 and 105,411 miles.
The engine accounts for 7.3% of complaints (111 reports, 90 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 114,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 5.3% of complaints (80 reports, 57 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,450 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 109,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 4.5% of complaints (68 reports, 56 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,574 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 111,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 4.4% of complaints (67 reports, 57 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 93,000 miles.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 4 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), the fuel system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,514 complaints filed against this generation, 74 reported a crash; 9 reported a fire; 42 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 4.9% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,720 and 99,000 miles, with a median of 66,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 63,500, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine (5.7l Hemi) 2009–2010
Broken exhaust manifold bolts continue into the DS body; MDS-related lifter and camshaft lobe wear on the deactivating cylinders.
Electrical (tipm) 2009–2010
Totally Integrated Power Module internal relay failures causing stalling, no-start, and fuel pump or wiper operation with the key off — the same TIPM family that affected other Chrysler products of the era.
Suspension 2009–2010
Optional rear coil-spring / air suspension setup: air compressor and height-sensor failures on air-equipped trucks.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 884 | 724 |
| 2010 | 630 | 466 |
Recalls (4)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 18V160000 | 2018-05-02 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting |
| 17V821000 | 2018-02-26 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever and Linkage:column Shift |
| 13V038000 | 2013-11-07 | Power Train:driveline:differential Unit |
| 12V474000 | 2013-06-17 | Power Train:driveline:differential Unit |
What owners reported
The chrome trim ring around the shifter on the console mounted shifter reflects the sun right back into your eyes during certain times of the day. This is very dangerous to have this glare in your vision. I must cover that area with my hand to block the reflection. I cannot have both of my hands on the steering…
2009 · 100 miles · Body structure
At about 100 miles on vehicle noticed a low squeal sound from engine or transmission? At present there are 15000 miles on vehicle and the squeal has gotten a little worst. The noise begins after about one or two minutes of starting, and is continually squealing while vehicle is running. The dealer ship ran test and…
2009 · 100 miles · Transmission and driveline
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 NHTSA campaign number: 13v038000 (power train). The contact called the dealer…
2009 · 200 miles · Transmission and driveline
When i purchased the vehicle new i only test drove speeds up to 40 MPH. I purchased the vehicle and drove it on a road trip and the tires screamed/hollowed as if i was drive off on the side of the road. I took it to the dealership and they said there was nothing found. In the city the truck is nice and quite…
2009 · 345 miles · Wheels
Built from 1,190 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page