What's Wrong with the 4th Generation Ram 1500?

Front 3/4 view of a Dodge Ram 1500

The 4th generation Ram 1500 spans the 2009 to 2011 model years.

It has accumulated 629 owner complaints over those year and ranks second to last in reliaibility out of 54 eligible Dodge generations.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Dodge score is 12.28 while this generation comes in at 58.97.

Compare With Other Ram 1500 Generations

The Worst 2009-2011 Ram 1500 Problems

  1. TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing with airbag control units (ACU) in certain Dodge Ram trucks.

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  2. Defective TIPM Causes Multiple Electrical Problems

    What is a TIPM exactly? And why is it giving so many Dodge owners headaches? We have details, plus news about recalls and a SETTLEMENT.

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  3. Stuck in Park

    Can't shift the car into reverse or drive! Now what? This is most commonly reported from Dodge Avenger owners, but there have also been similar complaints about other Dodge makes as well as other Chrysler and Jeep vehicles having a similar …

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  4. Ram Death Wobble

    Dodge Ram trucks are susceptible to a horrible front end vibration known as the death wobble, but what is it and how to FIX it?…

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What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks

Years to Avoid

4th Generation Ram 1500 Key Numbers

  1. 3 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 629 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 53rd in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.