Dodge Ram 1500 2009–2010
4th generation (DS) — Dodge-branded portion only
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,514 complaints, 1,190 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 1,190
- Median of reported failures
- 66,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Transmission and driveline (30.6%)
- Recalls
- 4
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,720 and 99,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Dodge Ram 1500 2009–2010 · 1,190 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 116 complaints.
- 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% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
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.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2009–2010 Dodge Ram 1500 last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2009–2010 Dodge Ram 1500 were filed by 66,000 miles and 90% by 137,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,190 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
18 reports (1.5%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Ram 1500 reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2009–2010 Ram 1500: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,190 mileage-tagged complaints, 4 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine (5.7l hemi) on 2009–2010 cars. Broken exhaust manifold bolts continue into the DS body; MDS-related lifter and camshaft lobe wear on the deactivating cylinders.
- Check electrical (tipm) on 2009–2010 cars. 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.
- Check suspension on 2009–2010 cars. Optional rear coil-spring / air suspension setup: air compressor and height-sensor failures on air-equipped trucks.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 39,000 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 64,000, 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.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Dodge Ram 1500 2009–2010
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline463 reports64,00039,000–95,000Transmission and driveline: 463 reports, median 64,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 95,000 miles.
- Suspension64 reports65,00044,000–90,000Suspension: 64 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 44,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Steering68 reports69,00050,000–111,000Steering: 68 reports, median 69,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 111,000 miles.
- Body structure67 reports70,00025,000–93,000Body structure: 67 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 93,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise80 reports74,00048,000–109,000Problems owners could not categorise: 80 reports, median 74,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 109,000 miles.
- Engine111 reports84,00060,000–114,000Engine: 111 reports, median 84,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 114,000 miles.
- Electrical system169 reports85,00053,000–105,000Electrical system: 169 reports, median 85,000 miles, middle half 53,000 to 105,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| 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 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Dodge Ram 1500 2009–2010 · 1,190 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 70% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 86% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 1.5% of reports (18) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
43% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 39,000–95,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 53,000–105,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 60,000–114,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 48,000–109,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 50,000–111,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 25,000–93,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 44,000–90,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
70% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Suspension — median 65,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 39,000–95,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 53,000–105,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 60,000–114,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 48,000–109,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 50,000–111,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 25,000–93,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
86% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 64,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 85,000 mi
- Engine — median 84,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 74,000 mi
- Steering — median 69,000 mi
- Body structure — median 70,000 mi
- Suspension — median 65,000 mi
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 64,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 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 53,000 and 105,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 7.3% of complaints (111 reports, 90 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,000 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 74,000 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 69,000 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
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,514 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 74 (4.9%)
- Fires
- 9
- Injury reports
- 37
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
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) — is your car included?
May 2018 · 2010 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result.
The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
What can happen. If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Feb 2018 · 2010 · Power TrainBeing able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can…
The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 RAM 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake ped
What can happen. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Nov 2013 · 2009–2010 · Power TrainIf the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a…
The defect. 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 pin
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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 1-800-247-97
Jun 2013 · 2009–2010 · Power TrainIf the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
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 wheel…
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
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 and…
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 however…
2009 · 345 miles · Wheels
Built from 1,190 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page