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

What owners actually said

670 reports

137,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015

Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 SHE SUDDENLY NOTICED A DRAGGING NOISE SO SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK SHE NOTICED THE FUEL TANK HANGING AND THE FUEL STRAP HANGING (ONE SIDE BROKEN). SHE HAD JUST COME OFF A 50 MPH HIGHWAY SO I AM GRATEFUL IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON THAT ROADWAY. WE HAVE READ 3 OTHER DOCUMENTED EXACT PROBLEMS WITHIN A MONTHS TIME OF OUR PROBLEM. WE HAD IT TOWED BY AAA TO A CLOSE TO THE LOCATION IT WAS AT DODGE DEALERSHIP IN THE ANNAPOLIS, MD AREA. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE WRITER AT THAT DEALERSHIP WE LEARNED THAT THE FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AT THAT LOCATION OF THE FUEL STRAP CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO FALL. AFTER SPEAKING TO 2 DODGE DEALERSHIPS, THE 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND THE REGIONAL CHRYSLER REP THEY HAVE CONCLUDED AFTER SAYING THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE (YET ONE OF THE DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS ON THIS LISTING IS IN BRANDYWINE, MD WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO THE WALDORF DODGE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THAT INDIVIDUAL MAY HAVE GONE THERE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM TOO WHICH MEANS THAT DEALERSHIP WAS NOT TRUTHFUL WITH US) THAT IT WILL NOT BE COVERED AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON OUR TRUCK. I KEEP THIS TRUCK CLEAN AND CARE FOR IT WELL, WE HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN DONE FOR THE MAINTENANCE TO KEEP UP THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, INSPECTED WHEN IT IS SUPPOSE TO EVEN THOUGH THIS COULD HAVE NOT BEEN DETECTED WITH SUCH INSPECTIONS AND THIS VEHICLE WAS UNDERCOATED WHEN PURCHASED. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED. OBVIOUSLY IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 6 YEARS FOR THIS CORROSION TO CAUSE THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ...UPDATED 08/10/17 *BF ,,,UPDATED 08/21/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10759617

109,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015

Unknown Or Other

K17 RECALL CLOSED BACK IN DEC '10. TODAY THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING (NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT APPARENTLY THE RECALL WAS CLOSED DURING ANOTHER SERVICE), AND SINCE THE RECALL IS CLOSED, I'M EXPECTED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS ON SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NO PROOF THAT WAS ACTUALLY REPAIRED. I'M GUESSING WHEN THE REC…

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NHTSA ODI #10759521

12,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015

Suspension

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10758869

89,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015

EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH APPROCHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTERWARD…

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NHTSA ODI #10750434

120,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIN MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10750279

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

66,926 miles · Aug 8, 2015

Unknown Or Other

RECALL SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED ON PINION NUT IN 2013. WHILE DRIVING IN JULY 2015 REAR END STARTED GRINDING AND BECAME SCARY TO DRIVE. TOOK IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP 7/16/15. THE REPAIR INCLUDES SEAL DRIVE PINION, BRIGHT KIT DRIVE PINION,DRIVE PULI ON BEARING AND SPACER, BRG KIT DIFFERENTIAL ETC. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER INFORMED US …

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NHTSA ODI #10747192

70,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

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THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT ON MY TRUCK IS RECALLED CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN TELLING PEOPLE TO WAIT AND THEY ARE OK TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT BREAKS. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, AND I NEED A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY AND ME TO BE IN. YOURE PUTTING OUR LIVES, AND EVERYONE ELSES AT RISK IS 100%IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME AND CHRYSLER. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS. MY LIGHT CAME ON SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE, ESP TRACTION CONTROL, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH IS WHAT SAVED ME, I AM HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, FIRST THE DRIVERS SIDE AND NOW THE PASSAGER SIDE. I HAVE CALLED DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART OR DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10747077

88,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 ABS SENSOR, SPECIFICALLY THE FRONT PASSAGES SIDE SENSOR. WHEN REACHING CERTAIN SPEEDS, THE ABS BREAK ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE, IT ALSO ENGAGES WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK SLIGHTLY. THIS CAUSE ONE TO CORRECT THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BREAK, AND ALSO I HAVE TO CORRECT THE STEERING TO COUNTER THE INCREASE IN BREAKING. WHEN IT IS TIME TO ACTUALLY BREAK FOR AN EMERGENCY, THE TRUCK WILL NOT BREAK PROPERLY AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT OR MY LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #10746956

84,162 miles · Aug 4, 2015

Power Train

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THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN OUR VEHICLE WENT OUT EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN AND HAD THE RECALL PART PUT ON AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DODGE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 DAYS. WE WERE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE SAME DAY WE PICKED THE VEHICLE UP, THE TRUCK STARTED WOBBLING BUT AT THAT TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD WE WERE ON. WE SCHEDULED THE TRUCK FOR A RECHECK AND IN THE MEANTIME WE HAD TO MAKE A TRIP TO DALLAS, TX (APPX. 500 MILES) AND WE PULLED OUR 26 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER BEHIND US. DURING THIS TRIP, THE VIBRATION IN OUR TRUCK BECAME VIOLENT AND MY HUSBAND COULD HARDLY HOLD IT ON THE ROAD. WE MADE IT HOME SAFELY AND CALLED THE DODGE SERVICE CENTER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEMS, ALONG WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT BEING ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. THEY SET AN APPT. FOR 4 DAYS LATER. WE TOOK THE TRUCK IN AND WERE TOLD THAT WHEN THEY REPAIRED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL THE ORIGINAL RECALL PART WAS ON BACK ORDER SO THEY PUT THE TRUCK BACK TOGETHER WITHOUT IT AND GAVE IT BACK TO US. THEY NEVER TOLD US THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE READ, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD HAVE DROPPED OUT IN DALLAS TRAFFIC WITH US PULLING A 26 FOOT TRAILER AND WE COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN KILLED. THE SERVICE CENTER HAS NOW HAD OUR TRUCK AGAIN FOR OVER A WEEK. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHETHER WE ARE INCLUDED IN THE BUY BACK BECAUSE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GOING OUT TWICE BUT I'M BEING GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. AT THIS POINT, WE ARE PAYING FOR A TRUCK STILL IN THE SHOP AND EVEN IF IT WERE REPAIRED, WE ARE DEATHLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. BASED ON THIS SERVICE CENTER'S PAST HISTORY, WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE TRUCK WILL BE FIXED WHEN WE GET IT BACK OR NOT. WE WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GIVE US A YES OR NO ANSWER ON THE BUY BACK OF THIS VEHICLE AND WE ARE GETTING DIFFERENT STORIES FROM FCA.

NHTSA ODI #10746226

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)