Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
On my 2009 Dodge Ram truck the low tire pressure valve sensors are secured to the wheel with a retaining nut. The valve stem on the low tire pressure sensor has threads that go threw the wheels and then secure with that retaining nut. The retaining nut was made out of ether aluminum or inferior metal. During last years extreme cold weather moisture got between the treads and the retaining nut. The retaining nut on the low tire pressure sensor on the left front wheel of my 2009 Dodge Ram cracked from the moisture and cold weather. When the nut cracked the low pressure sensor fell off inside of the tire, which cause the left front tire to start to go flat. After the low tire pressure sensor fell off it was driven threw the tire before I could apply the brakes. That accelerated the tire going flat and loss of control of the vehicle. …
I was driving my truck to work one morning. I was traveling at a steady speed of 70mph in a straight stretch. All of the sudden my steering wheel started to wobble and I had the low tire pressure warning light on my dash. After no more than 2 seconds the truck pulled extremely hard to the right. I knew that I had a flat tire. After attempting to safely pull off and avoid the tractor trailer from slamming into me I was able to pull over. After inspecting the tire, I noticed that I didn't have a valve stem in my front passenger tire. I attempted to change the tire on the side of the road in the rain but broke the cheap lug wrench that is supplied with the vehicle. Apparently the dealership over torqued the lug nuts. I had to get a ride to work, being 1.5 hours late and leave my truck on the interstate all day. My father in law works for a tire and lube center. …
Two tire valve stems have failed causing sudden loss of tire inflation. First failure, June 5, 2016 driver side rear tire occurred on interstate highway (70mph). Tire was damaged beyond repair before vehicle stopped. Second failure, sept 26, 2016 passenger side rear tire occurred on state highway (55mph). Tire has not been reviewed for internal damage. Front driver side tire shows crack in valve stem retaining nut. Crack runs straight from tire to top of retaining nut. Crack appearance looks as though the retaining nut is a stamped part with a seam. Photos: 1) sept 26 failure showing valve stem parts completely missing. 2) unfailed, but cracked retaining nut (dark line is crack) taking truck to tire shop for replacement of all valve stems. Will ask for all existing parts to be returned. …
When I purchased the vehicle new I only test drove speeds up to 40 MPH. I purchased the vehicle and drove it on a road trip and the tires screamed/hollowed as if I was drive off on the side of the road. I took it to the dealership and they said there was nothing found. In the city the truck is nice and quite however on the highway it hollows off and on all the way(hours) above 45 MPH. I took it to the dealership several time and they claimed to have test drove it and there where no noise. I continue to drive it thinking that maybe because of the cheap tires the manufacture installed. Until 4 years later I bought top of the line replacement tires and the vehicle continued to make the same noise with the new tires, when to sears they replaced the tires and the same thing happened. There is a malfunction with something in the axle or tire rod I assume. …
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. …
I was driving 55 MPH on a 70 MPH highway and my driver side front tire had a blowout I was towing a full trailer and had a hard time keeping the truck under control. I got the truck pulled over and changed the tire and upon inspection the valve stem had corroded and came apart, upon further inspection the rear passenger stem is also corroded and only half is remaining! I hate thinking what might have happened if both blew out or I was driving the speed limit with the kids in the vehicle. This is unacceptable!! My truck only has 17,800 miles on it. I am leary to drive it to the dealer! I feel this is a very dangerous issue and don't understand why there has not been a recall. It is quite expensive to replace all 4 valve stems and I think all owners with this issue should be compensated!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light illuminated. Also, while driving at high speeds, the front passenger and the rear driver side tire valves fractured on two occasions. As a result, both tires became flat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer twice who repaired the valves and replaced the tires, but the TPMS warning light remained illuminated. In addition, while driving at 70 MPH, the driver side tire valve fractured and the tire went flat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who again replaced the tire and the valves. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V038000 (power train), but the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
I recently had the drivers side front hub fail on my truck. Having heard a grinding noise, I took the truck home and lifted the front to inspect it. After inspecting the wheels and brakes, I removed both and found that the bearings had failed on the drivers side. These hubs are sealed units that have to be replaced. I replaced both sides to be safe. My truck has anti-lock brakes in the front also so these units cost me almost $500.00 with new pads. Chrysler told me that they had not fount any design problems with the hubs but as this is a critical unit that does not get serviced, it should not fail so soon. Had I driven much further the unit could have broken completely causing the entire wheel to fall off. This could have caused a serious if not fatal accident.
Thank fully nothing has happened as of yet. However all four TPMS valve stem retaining nuts that were used on my model are cracked and getting worse over time. I saw that some people have had rapid decompression of their tire pressure due to cracked retaining nuts. These were reports on the complaints section here. I was inflating one of my tires and the whole vavle stem cracked off and I had to replace one of them already. I brought it up with my mechanic and he said "that's just what aluminum valve stems do" im afraid that eventually they will fail at high speed and just want to put a complaint in. A part like this should not just be expected to "do" something like that when it is a known issue.
Driving west on state route 32 at approx. 66mph in the passing lane with 1 vehicle to my right in the right hand lane and 1 vehicle behind me in the passing lane. I accelerated my vehicle to get clear of vehicle to my right in order that I could move over into right hand lane, immediately at acceleration point I got a low air pressure warning on instrument cluster. I stopped as quickly and as safely as I could. Inspection of vehicle found left rear tire completely deflated and upon closer inspection noted that valve stem assembly was missing from tire rim it had unseated from rim and blown inside the tire causing rapid deflation. This is a serious safety hazard that needs corrected now!
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, 10% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is valve (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.