Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered on the title that the mileage was 211,492.
Heating & ventilation, I have lost heat in my truck, issues with fuel pump/filte where truck won't start, and had the water pump had to be replace. I believe the majority of the things listed had recalls. What is included in the recalls and can a recall be replaced more than 1x?
Defroster does not work, blower emits air (cold) but only to floor. Loud popping noise from air box, found actuators were malfunctioning. Nearly caused collision with oncoming traffic. Contacted Chrysler for recall status and they claimed truck was under this recall, however truck had been inspected and found to have no problems with regards to air box actuators. I subsequently found out from a nameless Dodge technician that they were instructed to engage air systems for the inspection and if no apparent malfunction is found they were to pass the recall and write it off. I am outraged that yet another corporate entity is preying on American consumers and getting by with it, while claiming to stand behind their product and it's engineering. I asked Chrysler what repair was needed. They replied" air box circulation doors bad. Would need box removed and replace 5 actuators and doors. …
When I was driving on the express way doing approximately 70 MPH, I went to put the cruise control back on and the vehicle lost power. It dropped approximately 20 MPH and then the vehicle allowed some power to return such as lights, dash board, and throttle. I was able to get the vehicle home (approximately 10 miles) losing power a few more times. Some of my warning lights started flashing like there was an electrical issue and most of them stayed on until I made it home and parked in my drive way. The electronic throttle control light was what I noticed first when the power returned each time. As I would lose the ability to keep a consistent speed on the roads the electronic throttle control light would continue to flash and I would have no power to increase speed and found myself coasting for short periods of time. …
Truck has left me stranded multiple times by completely losing power electrical and engine. Dealer claims to have "replaced" computer but Chrysler corp confirms dealer just "reflashed" computer. Multiple recalls have occurred and truck was brought into dealer but I know the old parts remain in place! I cannot trust this dealer to do anything they claim to do, proven by comparing the written work order with the records at chysler corporate. We are afraid to drive this vehicle, my wife will not step foot on it and as I am an amputee every time I get stranded(3 times so far) I cannot walk to get help. So I am at the mercy of available cell phone signal or just pray. The dealer had continually stalled us on repairing these problems up until the warranty ran out and then all of a sudden they figured out the "actual" problem and could now fix it for a few thousand!! Dollars. …
At 12K -13K miles I experienced an engine stall in the early morning. The instrument cluster remained lit and I was able to engage the emergency flasher. I was on a back road and luckily I was able to coast into a driveway. After numerous turns of the key fob, the engine started. This incident was reported to the dealership, but they seemed to shrug it off. Fast forward to 10/9/15. I had trouble again starting the truck. I proceeded to the store and was on a main thoroughfare when I started to turn across traffic into a parking lot.the engine died and luckily my momentum carried me off the street out of traffic and into the lot. Cars had to go around me as I tried to get the vehicle started. The next Monday 10/12/15 I had trouble starting again and I was able to proceed to work. …
The rear power door locks do not work whatsoever in my truck. Trying to unlock/lock the doors in my truck with the key fob only operate the front doors. Trying to unlock/lock the doors with the front driver and passenger side power door lock controls only operate the front doors as well. The only way the back doors will lock/unlock is if it is done manually. When the doors are unlocked, the back doors do not lock when the truck reaches the speed that engages all door locks when in drive. The doors will not unlock when putting the truck into park. I could understand if one or the other is malfunctioning, but not both. This definitely indicates an electrical issue. This is a safety hazard. …
Vehicle sits over night and battery drains. Numerous forms online advised this was not something that only happened to me but, also happened to hundreds of others. It has been to the certified Dodge dealer four times with no results. I replaced the total integrated control module, went through 3 brand new mopar batteries, had it put on the diagnostics tool at the dealer and after 3-4 weeks of guess and check they could find no problems with it. Something is causing the battery to drain overnight. Sometimes it takes one night, sometimes 3-4 and the temp outside does not play any role in it. There is an electrical defect with my 09 Ram 1500 quadcab and no one can tell me the issue. I'm believing more and more that I have gotten a lemon and unfortunately I can not take advantage of any lemon law due to my geographic location in the USA. …
While driving my truck it just shut off, died and would not start back up. This was very dangerous! Going 65 miles an hour, in the center lane trying to get over to the side of the road...safely! I tried to start the truck...everything came on as normal, but would not crank. I had to have the truck towed $$. The alternator was replaced $$. Truck still would not start. It would not crank, you could hear clicking under the hood and you could hear the fuel pump come on. I was told it was the win module which cost me $870.00!! (win module and programming) evidently this is a common problem with Dodge trucks. What does it take to have a recall on this part?!! Does it take a certain number of crashes or deaths? All in all it cost me about $1500, but it could have cost me my life, my girlfriends life, and possibly people in other vehicles that were driving around me. …
The vehicle dies and everything becomes disabled including all outside lights including the emergency flashers. Engine turns off and then will no restart. Sometimes this problem is intermittent but later completely fails. This is the second time in 2 years that this truck has died. The first time it happened on a foggy night. Th engine and all lights turned off at cruising speed leaving only some instrument cluster lights on which ends up bein even more of a distraction from the sudden outside darkness. After trying to find the side of the road in the darkness, then your emergency flashers do not work leaving the truck just a dark target in the road. This is extremely dangerous. Recently this same truck died a second time but thankfully after filling up a a gas station. …
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
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.
Electrical complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 97 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, 14% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is horn (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
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.