Power Train. Review the 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports

Structure complaints

41 reports

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70,000 miles · Nov 20, 2015

Structure

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE I HEARD OCCASIONAL SCRAPING NOISE AND HAD OTHER VEHICLES FLASH LIGHTS AT ME. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD IN THE 1ST SAFE AREA AND FOUND FRONT OF FUEL TANK HANGING DOWN APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES AND THE FRONT RETAINING STRAP DISCONNECTED. I THOUGHT THE STRAP HAD DISCONNECTED BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH WHERE THE STRAP ATTACHES. MECHANIC STATES THAT I WAS LUCKY NOT TO LOSE THE TANK, POOR DESIGN AND THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 6.5 YEAR OLD TRUCK. I CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SUGGESTED I CONTACT CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER SAYS THEY CANNOT HELP EVEN THOUGH OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MY RAM 1500 IS MY EVERY DAY VEHICLE. I DO NOT USE IT FOR WORK OR PLOW WITH IT. TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. DESIGN NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI #10795067

80,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015

Structure

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TEAM: I WAS INSTRUCTED BY DODGE TO DRILL A WEEP HOLE FOR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SAME CROSS MEMBER WHICH HAS BRAKE/GAS LINES ATTACHED TO IT. THAT SIDE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT TOO. THERE ARE BRAKE/GAS LINES ATTACHED TO A RUSTED OUT PIECE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT FALLS OFF? NO BRAKES FIREBALL I NEED SOMEONE TO GET ON DODGE'S BUMPER. DODGE NEEDS TO PAY FOR A NEW FRAME OR VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. GRATZIE. CORDIALLY, GREG PS I HAVE MORE PIX IN CASE I DIDN'T ATTACH TO OTHER COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10783041

50,700 miles · Sep 14, 2015

Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure

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I HEARD A NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AS IF SOMETHING HAD BROKE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND COULD SEE THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP HAD DISCONNECTED AND THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING DOWN ONLY BEING HELD BY THE REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP WAS INTACT BUT THE ITS FRAME ATTACHMENT POINT HAD ROTTED THROUGH. ..UPDATED 08/07/17 *BF UPDATED 08/21/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10763539

85,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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TEAM: I WAS REPLACING THE REAR SHOCKS WHEN I NOTICED A WEIRD RUST PATTERN ON THE CROSS MEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT FRAME & CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. IT LOOKED LIKE ORANGE PEEL OR A ROSE BLOOMING. I CHECKED THE REST OF THE FRAME WHILE I WAS UNDER THERE. I HAVE DONE COSMETIC RUST PREVENTION IN THE PAST. SINCE I'M A DIYER & PROACTIVE, I GRABBED A PAINT TOOL TO SCRAPE THE RUST TO GET TO BARE METAL SO I COULD TREAT/PRIME IT. LOL NOT ONLY DID THE TOP LAYER OF METAL COME OFF, THE ENTIRE CROSS MEMBER DISINTEGRATED INTO BRITTLE METAL CHUNKS WHICH I SAVED/DOCUMENTED. THERE'S A 4" SQUARE SECTION THAT'S GONE. SINCE THIS IS A 400 HP VEHICLE, I'M SURE THE FRAME WILL TEAR ITSELF APART EVENTUALLY EVEN THOUGH I BABY THE TRUCK. E.G. NO DENTS I SURMISE THAT WATER HAS BEEN TRAPPED UP THERE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN FRAME FAILURE. THE METAL HAS NO STRENGTH. LOL I DON'T WANT ANYBODY GETTTING HURT, SO PLEASE ADVISE OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI #10747834

80,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015

StructureInjury

RAM BOX LIDS SEEM TO BE RELEASING FIBERGLASS LIKE FIBERS INTO CLOTHES OR SKIN WHEN TOUCHED. CAUSES SEVERE ITCHING AND DISCOMFORT LIKE YOU HAVE FIBERGLASS SLIVERS IN YOUR SKIN. TAKES DAYS OF SCRUBBING BEFORE IT SEEMS TO GO AWAY. HAVE SINCE HEARD ABOUT MULTIPLE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705045

86,100 miles · Mar 25, 2015

StructureVisibility

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MY 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 IS MAKING A BANGING SOUND BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE SINCE IT WAS AN HEAT BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR THAT WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT ONCE AND NOW ITS BACK AGAIN. IS THIS GOING TO BE AN ON GOING ISSUE EACH YEAR AND THE PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS QUOTED ALMOST "$750" IN JUST LABOR FEES TO GET IT CHANGED OUT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE ON MY END SINCE THE PART APPEARS TO LAST FOR A YEAR. I WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE A/C AND CHECK WITH OTHER DODGE RAM FORUMS ON HOW OTHERS HAD THIS SOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701746

82,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014

Structure

I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THAT THE PAINT ON THE BODY UNDER MY DOORS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE IS BEGINNING TO BUBBLE. THIS IS NOT OCCURRING ANY WHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A 2009 AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PAINT ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575846

42,000 miles · May 3, 2013

Structure

MANY OF MY DOORS HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS SPRAY WD40 ON THE HINGES. THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510561

65,000 miles · May 3, 2013

Structure

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WOKE UP TO A RAIN FILLED DAY. I WENT OUT TO MY TRUCK AND ENTERED THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED IN THE REAR BEFORE BACKING UP. I NOTICED THAT MY HEAD LINER WAS SOAKING WET ON BOTH CORNERS OF THE C POST. I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK AND CHECKED THE REAR OF MY CAB. NOT ONLY WAS MY ROOF LINER WET BUT, THE REAR SEAT AND FLOOR WAS FULLY WET. THE WATER KEPT COMING IN THROUGHOUT THE DAY EVEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY I GOT IT CHECKED. I FOUND OUT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 2YRS 3 MONTHS. I AM UNAWARE IF MY SEATS OR CARPET HAVE MOLD OR MILDEW DO TO THIS WATER DAMAGE. PLEASE HELP AS I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A RUST OR MOLD IN MY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510559

50,000 miles · May 2, 2013

Structure

WHILE DRIVING IN A MODERATE RAIN, WATER BEGAN LEAKING INTO THE BACK SEAT ON MY DAUGHTER. I DO NOT HAVE A SUNROOF. IT APPEARS TO BE LEAKING INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK VIA THE TWO ROOF SEAMS WHERE THEY MEET THE REAR WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT INDICATE IT COULD BE FAULTY SEALS ON THE ROOF SEAMS, THIRD BR…

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NHTSA ODI #10510382

Official recalls

13V038000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Feb 6, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 NHTSA, 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.

12V474000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Oct 2, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den

PE12021 · Rear Differential Failure

Opened Jul 19, 2012 · Closed Mar 5, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:axle Assembly; Power Train:driveline; Power Train:driveline:differential Unit; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft; Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

In a letter dated October 2, 2012, Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA 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 (NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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 (NHTSARecall 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.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID 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

Additional source detail variants (14)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Power Train:axle Assembly

Power Train

Power Train:driveline

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)