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

70,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK MANIFOLD BOLTS FRACTURED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK MANIFOLD SCREWS FRACTURED DUE TO THE HEAT. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENGINE MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10788261

84,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015

Engine

TICKING NOSE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF TRUCK UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE WHEEL. GOT UNDERNEATH TRUCK AND FOUND TWO BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF MANIFOLD. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOUND THERE ARE ALOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME TRUCK WITH SAME ISSUE, RAM/DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, I THINK ISSUE IS FROM TO MUCH HEAT. THE SOUND IS AT…

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NHTSA ODI #10788155

103,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE M…

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NHTSA ODI #10787347

74,150 miles · Oct 30, 2015

Unknown Or Other

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I AM WORKING WITH THE FCA RE-PURCHASE PROGRAM FROM THE CONSENT ORDER DATED JULY 2015, AND THE FCA PROGRAM IS OFFERING DEALER TRADE VALUE AS FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER TRADE HAS NEVER BEEN USED AS A FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN. WHEN AN INSURANCE COMPANY PAYS FOR THE VALUE OF YOUR CAR THEY GIVE YOU FAIR MARKET SALES PRICE. THEY DO NOT AND CAN NOT USE THE DEALER TRADE IN VALUE AS FAIR MARKET VALUE. THEY ARE ALSO OFFERING 10% PREMIUM BASED ON THE RE-PURCHASE PRICE. THE CONSENT ORDER CLEARLY STATES THAT THE 10% PREMIUM IS TO BE BASED ON PURCHASE PRICE AND IT FURTHER SPELLS OUT THAT PURCHASE PRICE IS THE PRICE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD THE FIRST TIME TO SOMEONE FOR OTHER THAN RESALE. BASICALLY THE PRICE IT WAS FIRST SOLD FROM A DEALER. I HAVE WORKED WITH THE FCA SINCE OCTOBER 2ND 2015 AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH THEM ON HOW THEY MAKE THEIR OFFERS. I COULD NOT GET THEM TO GIVE ME A WRITTEN OFFER UNLESS I ACCEPTED THEIR OFFER. I AM NOW TRYING AGAIN TO GET A WRITTEN OFFER. WHEN I RECEIVED A CALL YESTERDAY FROM TRISTA AT THE FCA MY FILE HAD BEEN DELETED AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO ENTER ME IN AGAIN. SHE DID TELL ME THAT HER MANAGER AND ANYONE THAT COULD MAKE A DECISION HAD LOOKED AT THE DISPUTES AND THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES. SHE SAID THAT IF I DID NOT LIKE THAT DECISION I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE NHTSA OR WHOEVER ELSE I THOUGHT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP. THE FCA IS OFFERING $22K FOR MY TRUCK WITH THE 10% PREMIUM. I HAVE INCLUDED THE FAIR PURCHASE PRICE RUN FROM KBB THAT I SUBMITTED TO THEM BACK ON OCTOBER 3, 2015. MY TRUCKS MSRP WAS APPROXIMATELY $53K. I CALLED THE NHTSA YESTERDAY AND WAS ADVISED THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. IF I HAVE USED THE WRONG COMPLIANT SECTION PLEASE DIRECT ME TO THE APPROPRIATE ONE. THANKS,..UPDATED 03/15/16 *BF *JS

NHTSA ODI #10787254

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2015

Power Train

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I TOOK MY TRUCK TO GET SERVICED AT BURNS MOTORS DODGE DEALERSHIP IN MCALLEN, TX AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL DUE TO FAULTY REAR AXLE PINION NUT (N08/NHTSA). THEY TOLD ME IT HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. I SAID BY WHO CAUSE I NEVER TOOK THE TRUCK TO ANYONE AND I'VE HAD IT FOR 5 YEARS. THEY SAID A BUSINESS NAMED KELLEY DODGE FIXED IT. I NEVER TOOK IT TO ANYONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO WHY ARE THEY SAYING IT WAS FIXED. IS SOMEONE TRYING TO COVER UP SOMETHING OR CHARGING FOR WORK THAT WAS NEVER DONE? SO BURNS MOTORS DIDN'T FIX THE RECALL PROBLEM EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #10787159

85,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015

Wheels

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ON 04-02-2015 I EXPERIENCED A RAPID LOSS IN PRESSURE AND A FLAT REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS. I FOUND THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS MISSING WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE. I BROUGHT THE TIRE TO A CHAIN TIRE STORE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VALVE STEM NUT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE FAILURE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR TIRES BECAUSE THE SHORT DISTANCE DRIVEN TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC DESTROYED THE FLAT TIRE. THE OTHER NUTS WERE EXAMINED AT THAT TIME AND CORROSION WAS NOTED BUT NO CRACKS WERE OBSERVED. IT IS NOW 10-29-2015 AND I'M NOTICING THAT ONE OF THE OTHER VALVE STEMS IS CRACKED ON THE OLDER TIRES. I NEED TO HAVE THE STEM REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILS CATASTROPHICALLY. I'M ALSO EXPERIENCING A TPMS FAILURE BUT DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS RELATED. THE TIRE REPAIR COST $400+ AND IN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER AND DETERMINE IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI #10787121

90,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015

Power Train

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VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE PINION RECALL AND WAS REPAIRED 11/15/2013. RECENTLY THE DRIVING OF THE TRUCK CAUSED NOISE AND OBVIOUS DIFFERENTIAL ISSUE. THE ENTIRE GEAR KIT AND DIFFERNTIAL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING STRIPPED. OUT OF POCKED $3000. RECALL STATED SINCE THE PINION WAS REPLACED IT IS UP TO US TO FIX. THE DIFFERENTIAL RECALL "DID NOT IMPACT" THIS VEHICLE YET I SUSPECT IT SHOULD. THE DODGE HOTLINE STATES THAT AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER THUS IT IS NOTHING THEY WILL ACT ON. I SUSPECT THE ARE LINKED THUS EXPECT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER RECALL FOR THESE WITHIN THIS LOT NUMBER. TOO COINCIDENTIAL THAT ONLY SOME AND NOT ALL ARE PART OF THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10786847

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2015

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10786330

138,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015

Steering

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THE STEERING SHAFT/INTERMEDIATE SHAFT JOINTS BECOME VERY LOOSE AND ALLOW FOR EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. VEHICLE DRIVES OK UP TO 55 BUT REACHING HIGHWAY SPEED, PERIODS OF ERRATIC WHEEL PLAY/WOBBLE ARE EXPERIENCED AND STEERING IS GREATLY COMPROMISED. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ARE A DEALER ONLY ITEM. I SEARCHED THE DEALER PARTS ONLINE AND THERE IS NO LISTING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS ALTHOUGH IT IS SHOWN IN THE EXPLODED DIAGRAM ON THE MOPAR PARTS SITE.

NHTSA ODI #10786238

38,800 miles · Oct 26, 2015

Power TrainSuspension

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FCA ONLY OFFERING TRADE IN VALUE ON THERE BYBACK PROGRAM EVEN THOUGH I WAS ASSURED I WOULD GET MINIMUM FAIR MARKET VALUE. I HAVE GOT NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND SINCE I SENT ALL DOCUMENTS THEY REQUESTED ON OCT.1. NOW THEY HAVE CLOSED MY CLAIM BECAUSE I WONT ACCEPT THEIR FOOLISH OFFER.THE DEALERS ARE COMPLETELY STUPID AS WHAT TO DO AND EITHER LIE OR ACT AS IF THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE BUYBACK. I HAVE OWNED 4 RAM 1500 TRUCKS AND THIS IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL CONSUMERS. AT WHAT POINT WILL THESE MANUFACTURES BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? WE SPEND RIDICULOUS MONEY ON VEHICLES ONLY TO FIND THEY ARE WORTHLESS AFTER WE BUY THEM. GOT TO STOP SOON..... [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10785923

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)