2009 DODGE RAM 1500 Structurebody Problems

SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED

FRAME APPEARS BAD IN SEVERAL SPOTS, SO MUCH RUST. RUST ON VIRTUALLY EVERY PANEL ON THE BODY. ABOVE WINDSHIELD MIDDLE OF OF DOOR. IT LITERALLY EVERYWHERE. THE LEATHER SEATS ARE JUNKED. I UNDERSTAND IT'S A 11 YEAR OLD VEHICLE BUT TRUCK IS FALLING APART EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK. YOU CAN LOOK INSIDE THE TRUCK HAS BEEN VERY WELL CARED FOR DRIVES HORRIBLY MAKES SO MANY SOUNDS FROM RATTLES TO CLUNKS.MOSTLY ON 2 LANE ROADS AFRAID TO DRIVE MUCH INTERSTATE AFTER HAVING TIRE BLOWING OUT SIDEWALK GOING DOWN INTERSTATE EATS TIRES ON THE INSIDE ON BOTH SIDES BEEN LINED UP STILL SAME RESULT. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS LEAKING BAD.

SEVERE CORROSION RESULTING IN COMPROMISED STRUCTURAL FRAME INTEGRITY NEAR WHERE THE REAR BUMPER AND TOWING PACKAGES ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. APPEARS TO BE THE RESULT OF A FRAME REINFORCEMENT ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED WITH A RUST INHIBITOR AT THE FACTORY. MOISTURE LIKELY PENETRATED THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO METAL PIECES AND CAUSED COMPLETE RUST-THROUGH, COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE REAR OF THE FRAME. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE BUMPERS AND TOWING PACKAGES MOUNT TO THE FRAME IN THIS EXACT SPOT. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUMPERS OR TRAILERS IN TOW COULD BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES ON THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. IT HAS LIKELY BEEN ONGOING FOR MONTHS. THE UNDERNEATH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY WASHED IN THE WINTER AND SPRING TO REMOVE DE-ICER THAT WAS APPLIED TO...

THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE RUSTING OUT

I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET MY TRUCK FIXED UNDER RECALL 7 TIMES SINCE THEY CAME OUT. I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY BEEN TOLD THE PARTS ARE BACKORDERED AND MY VEHICLE CAN'T BE FIXED. I CONTACTED FCA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EXCEPT MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE STEEL FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERGLUND CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (2525 FRANKLIN RD SW, ROANOKE, VA 24014, 540-345-9881) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEEL FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REACH BACK OUT, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

THE FRONT STRAP HOLDING THE GAS TANK TO THE FRAME BROKE CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO DROP VERY CLOSE TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDERNEATH THE CAR. HAD I DRIVEN IT, MY CONCERN IS THAT IT WOULD HAVE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE EITHER BECAUSE THE REMAINING STRAP WOULD DETACH OR BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT CLEAR A BUMP IN THE ROAD SURFACE. THE POTENTIAL FOR RUPTURE OR ACCIDENT BY MY VEHICLE OR A VEHICLE BEHIND ME IS A MAJOR CONCERN ON MY PART. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON THE WEB AND THERE ARE QUITE A FEW REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS FILED WITH DODGE/RAM AND THE COMPANY (FROM THE REPORTS) IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS IN THE HOPE THAT THE NHTSA MAY MITIGATE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SITUATION FOR SOMEONE ELSE. ..UPDATED 09/25/17...

NOTICED THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP HANGING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING CLOSER I NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE BECAUSE THE SLOT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO IN THE FRAME WAS RUSTING OUT. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 RAM. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS IF THE GAS TANK WERE TO DROP OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. *DSY 8/25/17 ..UPDATED 09/25/17 *BF ..UPDATED 10/04/17 *BF *JS

FUEL TANK RETAINING STRAP DETACHED FROM FRAME CROSS-MEMBER CAUSING FUEL TANK TO HANG UNSECURED UNDER VEHICLE CAUSING POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES! DODGE DEALERSHIP STATES FRAME STRUCTURE RUSTED DUE TO BAD DESIGN, MANUFACTURER FAILED TO DESIGN A MOISTURE DRAIN INTO THE BOXED FRAME WHICH CAUSED THE STRAP ATTACHMENT POINT TO GIVE AWAY. DEALER STATES NON-REPAIRABLE ** NON-DRIVEABLE! FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE IN RENDERING ANY TYPE OF RESOLUTION. NO CONCERN REGARDING POSSIBILITY OF HAVING FUEL TANK FALLING FROM VEHICLE. I MENTIONED LATER YEAR PRODUCTION OF SAME MODEL HAS A NEW DESIGNED CROSS-MEMBER. THIS SUBSTANTIATES A KNOWN FAILURE/DESIGN FLAW. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. A <7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE A FRAME STRUCTURE RUST TO POINT OF RENDERING VEHICLE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVEABLE. PLEASE HELP! NEEDS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE SUFFERS INJURY OR WORSE. ALSO NEED HELP MOTIVATING MANUFACTURER TO RIGHT A WRONG....

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO HAVE A LOOK AND NOTICED THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK DETACHED ON ONE SIDE AND THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING DOWN. APPARENTLY THE STRAP SUPPORT IN THE FRAME ROTTED OUT. THE REAR STRAP ATTACHMENT ALSO SEEMS TO BE CORRODING. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF BOTH STRAPS DETACHED AT THE SAME TIME WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. I TEMPORARILY STRAPPED THE TANK TO THE FRAME, USING A RATCHET STRAP, AND BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY CONFIRMED WHAT HAD HAPPENED, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND SAID I HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

YESTERDAY I NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING DOWN UNDER MY DODGE RAM. AFTER A CLOSER LOOK I SAW IT WAS MY GAS TANK AND THE FORWARD STRAP HAD CAME OUT OF ITS ANCHOR POINT. I THOUGHT ALL I WOULD HAVE TO DO IS PUT IT BACK IN TO THE FRAME BUT THEN I DISCOVERED THAT THE STRAP HAD ACTUALLY PULLED THROUGH ITS ANCHOR SPOT ON THE FRAME AND DISFIGURED THE ANCHOR POINT THAT I CAN NO LONGER PUT THE STRAP BACK ON. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY GAS TANK HAD DISLODGED FROM MY TRUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR ...UPDATED 08/08/17 *BF *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE REAR AXLE FLUID, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMP STOPS ON BOTH SIDES WERE DETERIORATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 12/20/16*LJ

TRUCK IS MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR END AND THE FRONT GAS TANK STRAP HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. THE SLOT THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FASTENED TO IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZZARD THAT COULD BE VERY DEADLY IF THE TANK COMES OFF. UPDATED 08/11/17 *BF *CN

RAM BOX PLASTIC LIDS SEEM TO BE RELEASING FIBERGLASS LIKE FIBERS INTO SKIN DEVELOPING A RASH WHEN TOUCHED OR RUBBED. WHEN LEANING ON THE LID WITH FOREARMS, THE SKIN EXPERIENCES SEVERE ITCHING, A RASH AND DISCOMFORT JUST LIKE HAVING FIBERGLASS SLIVERS IN YOUR SKIN AS HAPPENS WHEN HANDLING FIBERGLASS INSULATION MATERIAL. IT TAKES SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE ITCHING OF SCRUBBING WITH SOAP AND WATER FOR THE ITCHING TO SUBSIDE. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND MY CHILDREN. SINCE IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE OF THE ITCHING, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS OF 2009 DODGE RAM TRUCKS WITH THE RAM BOX. I ALSO FOUND UNCONFIRMED INFORMATION THAT DODGE MAY HAVE CHANGED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RAM BOX LIDS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR MODEL. HAVING CALLED THE DODGE DEALER AND THE NATIONAL DODGE WARRANTY OFFICE, THEY INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE RAM BOX LIDS AND THEY HAVE NO...

FRONT STRAP ON GAS TANK PULLED OUT OF AN RUSTY FRAME, THIS IS A BAD DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE IF THE TANK WOULD FALL OFF. THE DIESIGN OF CROSS BAR DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE FOR WATER TO DRAIN OUT,WV. HAS A STATE INSPECTION AND THIS IS WHEN IT FOUND....UPDATED 08/07/17 *BF *CN

MY 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS TANK ALMOST FELL OUT CAUSING ALMOST AN EXPLOSION OF TANK. REASON: THE TANK IS HELD IN BY TWO METAL STRAPS ONE SIDE IS ATTACH TO A FRAME BOLT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRAP IS A T SHAPE THAT SLIDES INTO A T SLOT IN THE FRAME NOW WHAT HAPPEN IS THE T SECTION PULLED RIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME CAUSING THE TANK TO DROP ALMOST TO THE ROAD THE REMAINDER OF THE STRAP WAS HITTING THE DRIVESHAFT CAUSING SPARKS IF THE PLASTIC TANK HIT THE GROUND IT COULD EXPLODE. DODGE REP HAD MENTION TO ME THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. SO I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE...UPDATED 08/07/17 *BF *CN

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE I HEARD OCCASIONAL SCRAPING NOISE AND HAD OTHER VEHICLES FLASH LIGHTS AT ME. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD IN THE 1ST SAFE AREA AND FOUND FRONT OF FUEL TANK HANGING DOWN APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES AND THE FRONT RETAINING STRAP DISCONNECTED. I THOUGHT THE STRAP HAD DISCONNECTED BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH WHERE THE STRAP ATTACHES. MECHANIC STATES THAT I WAS LUCKY NOT TO LOSE THE TANK, POOR DESIGN AND THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 6.5 YEAR OLD TRUCK. I CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SUGGESTED I CONTACT CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER SAYS THEY CANNOT HELP EVEN THOUGH OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MY RAM 1500 IS MY EVERY DAY VEHICLE. I DO NOT USE IT FOR WORK OR PLOW WITH IT. TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. DESIGN NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

TEAM: I WAS INSTRUCTED BY DODGE TO DRILL A WEEP HOLE FOR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SAME CROSS MEMBER WHICH HAS BRAKE/GAS LINES ATTACHED TO IT. THAT SIDE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT TOO. THERE ARE BRAKE/GAS LINES ATTACHED TO A RUSTED OUT PIECE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT FALLS OFF? NO BRAKES FIREBALL I NEED SOMEONE TO GET ON DODGE'S BUMPER. DODGE NEEDS TO PAY FOR A NEW FRAME OR VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. GRATZIE. CORDIALLY, GREG PS I HAVE MORE PIX IN CASE I DIDN'T ATTACH TO OTHER COMPLAINT.

I HEARD A NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AS IF SOMETHING HAD BROKE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND COULD SEE THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP HAD DISCONNECTED AND THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING DOWN ONLY BEING HELD BY THE REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP WAS INTACT BUT THE ITS FRAME ATTACHMENT POINT HAD ROTTED THROUGH. ..UPDATED 08/07/17 *BF UPDATED 08/21/17 *BF *CN

TEAM: I WAS REPLACING THE REAR SHOCKS WHEN I NOTICED A WEIRD RUST PATTERN ON THE CROSS MEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT FRAME & CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. IT LOOKED LIKE ORANGE PEEL OR A ROSE BLOOMING. I CHECKED THE REST OF THE FRAME WHILE I WAS UNDER THERE. I HAVE DONE COSMETIC RUST PREVENTION IN THE PAST. SINCE I'M A DIYER & PROACTIVE, I GRABBED A PAINT TOOL TO SCRAPE THE RUST TO GET TO BARE METAL SO I COULD TREAT/PRIME IT. LOL NOT ONLY DID THE TOP LAYER OF METAL COME OFF, THE ENTIRE CROSS MEMBER DISINTEGRATED INTO BRITTLE METAL CHUNKS WHICH I SAVED/DOCUMENTED. THERE'S A 4" SQUARE SECTION THAT'S GONE. SINCE THIS IS A 400 HP VEHICLE, I'M SURE THE FRAME WILL TEAR ITSELF APART EVENTUALLY EVEN THOUGH I BABY THE TRUCK. E.G. NO DENTS I SURMISE THAT WATER HAS BEEN TRAPPED UP THERE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE RESULTING...

RAM BOX LIDS SEEM TO BE RELEASING FIBERGLASS LIKE FIBERS INTO CLOTHES OR SKIN WHEN TOUCHED. CAUSES SEVERE ITCHING AND DISCOMFORT LIKE YOU HAVE FIBERGLASS SLIVERS IN YOUR SKIN. TAKES DAYS OF SCRUBBING BEFORE IT SEEMS TO GO AWAY. HAVE SINCE HEARD ABOUT MULTIPLE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS. *TR

I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THAT THE PAINT ON THE BODY UNDER MY DOORS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE IS BEGINNING TO BUBBLE. THIS IS NOT OCCURRING ANY WHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A 2009 AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PAINT ISSUES. *TR

MANY OF MY DOORS HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS SPRAY WD40 ON THE HINGES. THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN A MODERATE RAIN, WATER BEGAN LEAKING INTO THE BACK SEAT ON MY DAUGHTER. I DO NOT HAVE A SUNROOF. IT APPEARS TO BE LEAKING INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK VIA THE TWO ROOF SEAMS WHERE THEY MEET THE REAR WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT INDICATE IT COULD BE FAULTY SEALS ON THE ROOF SEAMS, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL (CREATING A HAZARD OF SHORTING OUT THE LIGHT), OR THE SEAL OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD. *TR

THE FRONT BUMPER ON MY 2009 DODGE RAM TRX/4/OFFROAD IS RUSTING IT IS A PAINTED BUMPER NOT CHROME I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO DODGE THEY INTURN SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR PINION NUT I DECIDED TO RESEARCH RECALLS ON MY DODGE RAM AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CHROME BUMPERS FOR THIS YEAR AND FEEL THAT MY BUMPER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE AS IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH THE TRX/4/OFFROAD PACKAGE IT SHOULD HAVE MORE PROTECTION THEN THE CHROME BUMPER EVEN THOU IT WAS PAINTED IT SHOULD OF BEEN CHIPGUARDED OR A VINAL COVERED. *TR

FACTORY RECOMMENDED RUNNING BOARDS WERE INSTALLED BY DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND BOUGHT 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THEY WERE LOOSE IN FIVE MONTHS. DEALER TIGHTENED THEM. THEY WERE LOOSE AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER DEALER TIGHTENED THEM AGAIN. THEY WERE LOOSE WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I CHECKED THEM RECENTLY AND FOUND THEY WERE STRIPPED. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT REPAIRABLE AND SUGGESTED I GET AFTERMARKET BOARDS TO REPLACE THEM AT MY COST OF COURSE. THE ASSIST SERVICE MANAGER COMMENTS "[XXX] I WOULD GET AFTERMARKET BOARDS THE SAME THING IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE OTHER SIDE." OBVIOUSLY THERE HAS BEEN OTHER ISSUES WITH THESE BOARDS. THEY ARE STRIPPED AND THE DEALER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT EVER TIGHTENED THEM HE OBVIOUSLY HAD A CYA STORY FOR DODGE ABOUT HOW I MUST HAVE STRIPPED THEM ETC. THESE BOARDS ARE...

ESP/BAS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE WAITING IN THE GAS LINES. THE TRUCK FISH TAILS / SKIDS MORE FREQUENTLY ON SLICK / RAIN ROADS. THE LIGHTS DID NOT GO OUT AFTER CHECKING FLUID LEVELS, ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, ETC. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR RAM 1500SLT TRUCKS AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THE CONDITION. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER YET IN HOPES OF THE CONDITION CORRECTING ITSELF, BUT WILL SHORTLY. ALSO, IT APPEARS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF RUST IN THE REAR BODY / TOW FRAME OF THE TRUCK AFTER LESS THAN FOUR YEARS. *TR

AIRBAGS FAILED TO GO OFF AFTER COLLISION WITH A FARM IMPLEMENT BEING PULLED BY A FARM TRACTOR. DODGE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGE TO FRAME, PASSENGER SIDE AND FRONT OF VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTREME WIND NOISE AROUND THE PASSENGE SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT FOAM BLOCKS WOULD HAVE TO BE INSERTED IN THE PASSENGER DOOR TO REDUCE THE WIND NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

IN 2007 I PURCHASED A NEW RAM TRUCK FROM MCKENNEY DODGE IN GASTONIA N.C. AND FOUND LEAKS IN BACK WINDOW, WENT THROUGH N.C. LEMON LAW AND WAS ISSUED A REPLACEMENT 2009 VEHICLE . IN 2011 DISCOVERED REPLACEMENT VEHICLE HAS EXACTLY SAME ISSUE AS 2007 VEHICLE HAD. CONCERNED FOR SAFETY AND SAFETY FOR FAMILY WITH POSSIBILITY OF MOLD DUE TO LEAKAGE, OVER LONG PERIOD OF TIME . THIS ISSUE COULD ONLY BE ADDRESSED IF CONSUMER DISCOVERED LEAKAGE OTHERWISE CONSUMER COULD BECOME SICK AND NOT KNOW WHY. *TR