2009–2012 Ram 1500: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Owner-reported 5.7L Hemi camshaft/lifter failure, often preceded by a cold-start 'Hemi tick'; some owners say dealers first described the tick as normal commonly reported
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: 106,900-121,850 mi avg (documented failure range 62,000-172,000 mi) · About: 2010-2012 model years
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2010/2011/2012 Ram 1500 engine pages
• Owner-reported TIPM failure: no start/crank especially on cold mornings, intermittent stalling while driving commonly reported
  System: Electrical/charging · Documented around: 89,000-100,000 mi · About: 2009-2012 model years
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2009/2011/2012 Ram 1500 electrical/TIPM pages (2011: 130 complaints on dedicated TIPM page)
• NHTSA 12V474000 (2009-2010 Ram 1500 built July 1-November 30, 2009): "the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive." NHTSA recall 12V474000 consequence: "If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning." verified source
  System: Drive system · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2009-2010 models built July-Nov 2009
  Source: NHTSA recall 12V474000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=12V474000), report received 02/10/2012, 44300 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• NHTSA 13V038000 (2009-2012 Ram 1500 in listed build windows): rear axle pinion nut loosening. NHTSA recall 13V038000 consequence: "If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning." verified source
  System: Drive system · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2009-2012 models (production Feb 2008-Oct 2011)
  Source: NHTSA recall 13V038000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=13V038000), report received 06/02/2013, 278674 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• NHTSA 18V160000 (2009-2012 Ram 1500 in salt-belt states): "Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap" to corrode. Consequence: "If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result." verified source
  System: Fuel system/emissions · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2009-2012 models (production May 2008-Jan 2012)
  Source: NHTSA recall 18V160000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V160000), report received 08/03/2018, 218617 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• NHTSA 17V821000 (2009-2017 Ram 1500 with column shifter): "Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick". NHTSA recall 17V821000 consequence: "Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash." verified source
  System: Drive system · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2009-2012 (column-shift automatic)
  Source: NHTSA recall 17V821000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V821000), report received 20/12/2017, 1482874 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• NHTSA 15V459000 (2012-2014 Ram 1500 with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option): "The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring." NHTSA recall 15V459000 consequence: "This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash." verified source
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2012 model year (within this generation's range)
  Source: NHTSA recall 15V459000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V459000), report received 22/07/2015, 1059444 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Owner-reported frame/gas-tank-anchor corrosion commonly reported
  System: Body integrity (noises/leaks) · Documented around: documented case at 45,000 mi · About: 2009 model year, salt-belt states
  Source: carcomplaints.com single documented case, Atco NJ

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-04. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-04. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.