Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The brakes locked up twice since purchased the vehicle. The left side locking up would have caused me to veer into oncoming traffic. Years late when the right side locked up would've have veered right causing an accident. This last time the brakes aren't releasing. This happening 3 times has reproduced itself. The 1st time I took it to a dealership. No warning lamps were showing or any symptoms for this happening. I've purchased the lifetime warranty on this vehicle.
On June 9,2018 at approximately 10:20 am I entered and parked in my driveway. The vehicle's shifter was placed into park and the engine was shut off. I exited my now parked vehicle and went inside at 10:21. Prior to exiting the vehicle the vehicle slightly rocks and the and the parking gear engages indicating the vehicle is in park. Moments later, 6 minutes at 10:27 am June 9, 2017 the vehicle rolls backwards from a stationary position and struck the brick mailbox at the end of the driveway causing unrepairable damage to the mailbox. The vehicle sustained damage to the tailgate bumper and undercarriage. The neighbor across the street was outside during the incident and witnessed the event and notified me. The home security camera captured the above described of events. …
Ever since 50000 miles I have been having issues with the braking performance of the truck. Lately it has gotten scary bad. After a few stops either hard or mere traffic light stops the brakes start to over heat. I start to smell the pads cooking as if I were trying to stop a freight train. I get huge amounts of brake fade and the ABS for the front does not work any more. The rear ABS still kicks on but not as frequently. The stopping distance dramatically increases. After a few stops the brake pedal starts to sink to the floor board. During hard panic stops when the brakes are hot the brake pedal goes to the floor board and I lose most of the braking. I have replaced the brake pads, rotors, and calipers and still no change. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brakes failed. The brake pedal was applied and traveled to the floorboard causing the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed of the incident. The front passenger needed stitches to the forehead which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,506. Updated 9/18/14 the consumer stated she hit her head on the windshield causing it to crack. The failure caused a four car pile up. The consumer received a concussion and spleen damage. The consumer had home physical therapy. Updated 2/11/2015
ABS system warning light and electronic stability control light on the dash are on and the vechicle braking system is causing a situation where the brakes are trying to stop the vehicle when going down the road without any input on the brake pedal. When driving, the ABS system light goes on and off at a rapid pace, and each time the vehicles rear brakes are slowing down the vehicle. I had the system checked by 2 different auto repair companies and each said the computer codes indicated an ABS control module failure and needs replaced. In the northern winter climate where I live, I'm concerned about loss of control on icy roads. I am very careful to have both hands on the wheel but it still causes a 'jerky ' feel when driving.
I have had the totally integrated power module replaced twice now due to failure. Apparently this is a very common issue in dodges. It has caused my window defroster, wipers, door locks and windows randomly not to work. Pretty much anything electrical. My passenger airbag goes on and off, regardless of whether or not someone is in the passenger seat. My ABS brake system has been malfunctioning and locking up on me. This has been a huge safety issue when there's cold weather or rain and all of a sudden my defroster or wipers arent working or my turn signal is cutting out. The TIPM on other Jeep and Chrysler products have been recalled. I don't understand why Dodge hasnt issued a recall. This needs to be investigated farther.
While going down interstate my ABS, service 4wd, ESP traction control and brake light all came on at same time. When it happened it happened it knocked my cruise off and slowing down. I got back on the gas and started to speed up then all of a sudden my gas became my brake it locked all 4 tires up at high speed. I was very lucky no one was real close to me. I made it to safe place to pull over and check it out and no matter what I did I couldn't get it back going correctly. At first it would do right and get up to 30mph and ease on gas little bit and it would start breaking when touching gas. Has to have it towed. It was very dangerous and I was real lucky not to wreck. I home this problem can get resolved.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module date reported July 09, 2009 NHTSA reference #10030926 TSB reference #TSB-09-041 description: Chrysler: Dodge-approximately 125,182 vehicles, equipped with ESP sales code (bnb ) have a condition that May set the ABS, ESP, and/or base brake warning lamp on in the cluster with code c2200. My truck, with the above VIN number has experienced this issue. My VIN is not listed on the recall list, but is experiencing the problem listed above as a recall. My truck is experiencing internal module failure as stated by the service technician and the ABS system does not engage. This VIN will require a new ABS module for the ABS to function correctly.
My sons friend was driving my new Dodge truck, when the vehicle in front of him (10 car lengths) stopped - he applied the brakes and the peddle went to the floor ( no pressure). They rear ended the truck which was in front of them (no damage to that vehicle) the front of my truck is crunched (luckily that's all this time) some one could have been killed. After the incident my son checked the peddle himself, no pressure was felt until the peddle was pumped multiple times. I checked online and there is a recall for this vehicles brakes dating to January although I was never notified. I plan on contacting Chrysler about the damage and lack of notification.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 50 MPH in rainy weather conditions the road surface was bumpy and muddy. There was also a loud popping noise outside of the vehicle. The vehicle began to fishtail and suddenly, the traction control system activated. The driver applied pressure to the brake pedal, followed by no power response. The vehicle crashed into a ditch. The driver sustained a broken nose. The police and ambulance were called to the scene. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a local collision center. The failure mileage was 24,800. Updated 03/01/10. Updated 0513/10.8jb
Brake complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, 5% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.