2009 Ram 1500 MPG
The 2009 Ram 1500 gets 13–14 mpg in the city and 18–20 on the highway (15–16 combined), across the 5 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 3.7-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 16 mpg combined. At the other end, the 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 15 mpg combined, 1 mpg less. That is 1 mpg lower than the best gasoline 2008 version (17 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
2009 Ram 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2009 Ram 1500 costs about $4,080 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (16 mpg combined), or roughly 27 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (15 mpg combined) comes to about $4,360 a year, $270 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2009 Ram 1500 specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2009 Ram 1500: 4.7 L 8-cyl, 5.7 L 8-cyl and 3.7 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.7 L | 6 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2009 Ram 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 707 owner complaints about the 2009 Ram 1500.
Power train is the most-reported area (26% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (11%) and engine (6%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 39 complaints a year: more than the 2008 (29 a year) and the 2010 (29 a year).
That ranks 14th of 17 Ram 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 707, 29 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 20 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 242 | 26% |
| Electrical system | 104 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 59 | 6% |
| Engine | 55 | 6% |
| Wheels | 51 | 5% |
| Structure | 45 | 5% |
| Suspension | 40 | 4% |
| Tires | 39 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 | 4% |
| Air bags | 34 | 4% |
| Steering | 31 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 31 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 3% |
| Visibility | 29 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 20 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 16 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 10 | 1% |
| Equipment | 9 | <1% |
| Seats | 8 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 6 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 6 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2009 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there were two open recalls on the VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (Power Train) and 17V821000 (Power Train). …
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. …
The exhaust manifold cracked. This allows toxic pre-catalitic converter fumes to be released under the vehicle and potentially enter the vehicle. I have been informed that this is a common issue on This generation truck. …
2009 Ram 1500 recalls
The 2009 Ram 1500 has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 18V160000 from March 2018, concerns gasoline fuel system.
Power train accounts for 3 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V160000 | March 8, 2018 | Gasoline fuel system | 2009–2012 |
| 17V821000 | December 20, 2017 | Power train | 2009–2017 |
| 13V038000 | February 6, 2013 | Power train | 2009–2012 |
| 12V474000 | October 2, 2012 | Power train | 2009–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2009 Ram 1500, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door Crew Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Regular Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| 4-door Quad Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ram 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2009 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 (17 mpg) and 2009 Ford F-150 (17 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 | 554 | 29 | 8 |
| 2009 | 16 | 707 | 39 | 4 |
| 2010 | 16 | 488 | 29 | 4 |
| 2011 | 16 | 689 | 43 | 4 |
| 2012 | 16 | 698 | 46 | 7 |
Every Ram 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Ram 1500 has 39 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (14th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns and up to 16 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (242), electrical system (104) and engine (55). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 1500 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 15–16 mpg combined (13–14 city, 18–20 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 1500 per year?
About $4,080 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,360 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).