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

158,000 miles · Jun 28, 2017

Engine

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF.....RANDOMLY HAPPENS - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS...HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY TOO. NO RECALL OR ANYTHING ON THIS ISSUE........WHY IS THIS NOT A HIGH PRIORITY......A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WON'T DO FAMILIES ANY GOOD WHEN A LIFE OR SEVERAL LIFES ARE LOST.....PLEASE MAKE THIS A TOP PRIORITY. THA…

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NHTSA ODI #11001927

70,000 miles · Jun 18, 2017

Structure

NOTICED THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP HANGING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING CLOSER I NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE BECAUSE THE SLOT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO IN THE FRAME WAS RUSTING OUT. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 RAM. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS IF THE GAS TAN…

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NHTSA ODI #10995758

113,000 miles · Jun 17, 2017

Fuel/propulsion System

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THE FRONT GAS TANK STRAP ANCHOR HAS ROTTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME, AND THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING DOWN IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IF IT MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND THE GAS TANK WILL RUPTURE AND CAUSE A FIRE. THIS IS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. VISITED THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH IF YOU GOOGLE IT, THIS IS A SYSTEMIC SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR BURNED TO DEATH. ...UPDATED 08/02/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10995696

100,650 miles · Jun 8, 2017

Power TrainCrash

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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. I WAS IN THE HOUSE WITH THE KEYS IN MY POCKET. I INSTRUCTED MY CHILDREN TO GET IN THE TRUCK. AS THEY CLIMBED IN, ONE CHILD LOST HER BALANCE AND HIT THE GEAR SHIFT. THE GEAR SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILED, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THE TRUCK THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, WITH TWO OF MY KIDS IN THE CAB, AND MY THIRD CHILD HANGING ON THE DOOR BEING DRUG ACROSS THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT MY TRUCK PLOWED THROUGH MY DITCH, DESTROYED MY MAILBOX CAUSING $7,800 DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, WHO PERFORMED A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH THEY CONCLUDED THE GEAR SHIFT INTERLOCK DID INDEED FAIL, THEY REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY STATING THAT "MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER." I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK WAS FAILED. IN FACT, THE ENGINEER THAT DID THE INVESTIGATION STATED THAT IT EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT FAILURE. SO THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ME TO KNOW IT WAS FAILED UNTIL I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. AFTER MY TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, I REALIZED SOMETHING HAD FAILED. FURTHERMORE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT SPECIFY ANY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE FOR THE SHIFT INTERLOCK. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.....UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10993997

134,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017

Electrical System

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WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE TRUCK JUST DIED. I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. THINKING THAT IT WAS JUST A BATTERY PROBLEM, I PUT A JUMP BOX ON IT AND IT STARTED. TOOK THE JUMP BOX OFF AND IT DIED. KNEW IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. THEY PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR ON IT AND STILL WAS NOT CHARGING. CHANGED THE BATTERY AND STILL WAS NOT CHARGING. CHECKED THE FUSE BOX AND FOUND A BLOWN FUSE FOR THE PCM AND CHANGED IT. IT STILL WAS NOT CHARGING. LIKE ANYONE ELSE AND PRODUCT OF ELIMINATION, VOLTAGE REGULATOR. GO TO CHANGE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND FIND OUT THAT THEY CHANGED IT TO A MODULE THAT THEY PUT INSIDE THE COMPUTER. NOW, I HAVE TO HAVE THE WHOLE COMPUTER CHANGED OR DO WITHOUT MY TRUCK WHILE THE COMPUTER IS FIXED. WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO TAKE SUCH A SIMPLE PART AS A VOLTAGE REGULATOR THAT COMMONLY GOES OUT AND COMBINE IT WITH A MAJAR PART SUCH AS A COMPUTER THAT COST $100'S OF DOLLARS TO FIX?

NHTSA ODI #10993871

97,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017

Power TrainWheels

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I WENT TO AN AUTO SHOP AND AFTER ASSESSING THE ISSUE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PINION WAS BAD AND THERE WAS A CHUNK OF METAL BROKE OFF IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. REPAIRS COST OVER 1600$.

NHTSA ODI #10993783

140,000 miles · Jun 3, 2017

SteeringWheels

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE SHAFT CAME OFF MAKING ME LOSE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK BEFORE STOPPING ON SIDE OF ROAD BOUGH THIS VEHICLE ALMOST A YEAR AGO NEVER RECIEVED ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10992991

83,000 miles · Jun 1, 2017

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVE LINE FRACTURED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BUTTE'S MILE HIGH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM KIA 3883 HARRISON AVENUE BUTTE, MT 59701) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION NUT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V474000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OTHER DAMAGED PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10992733

118,300 miles · May 7, 2017

Fuel/propulsion System

I NOTICED MY FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP HANGING DOWN AND MY FUEL TANK WAS HANGING LOW. I FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP HAD PULLED THROUGH THE FRAME BECAUSE IT WAS ROTTED AT THE FRAME.. ...UPDATED 08/02/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10983912

60,000 miles · Apr 25, 2017

Wheels

VALVE STEM NUT CRACKED AND CAME OFF RESULTING IN FLAT TIRE, THANKFULLY IN GARAGE, NOT ON THE ROAD. DISCOVERED NUTS ON TWO OTHER TIRES WERE ALSO CRACKED. (FOURTH VALVE STEM APPARENTLY HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE VEHICLE.)

NHTSA ODI #10980430

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)