2009 Dodge RAM 1500 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

50Engine complaints

7.5%Of all 670 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN217 · 32.4%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM95 · 14.2%

Unspecified / other52 · 7.8%

ENGINE50 · 7.5%

WHEELS49 · 7.3%

Share of the 670 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 overview page.

What owners report

“UPON START-UP OF THE VEHICLE A TICKING NOISE IS HEARD. THIS SOUND IS LESS NOTICEABLE AS THE ENGINE WARMS TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. SIMILAR CASES…”NHTSA complaint 10485321 — filed 11/20/2012

“I PULLED INTO WORK AND SHUT MY TRUCK OFF, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF. THE TRUCK WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY TO…”NHTSA complaint 10470312 — filed 08/12/2012

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH HE BEGAN TO BECOME VERY SLEEPY. THE CONTACT HAD…”NHTSA complaint 10469407 — filed 08/06/2012

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500: 50 of 670 complaints on file (7.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 have in total?

670 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 29 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.