Differential Unit problems of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

There was a recall around 2012-2013 for 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pick up trucks because some pinion nuts could come loose. I had the recall performed as soon as I received the notice. The fix for this was to install a retainer that would not allow the nut to loosen. This week, 12/16/19, I went to replace my pinion seal as I noticed leaking at the shaft. I feel that the retainer that was used to hold the nut in place is defective and not a sufficient fix as the nut has definitely moved since the recall work was performed. There are most likely still trucks on the road where a dangerous condition is beginning to develop again. I noticed that the pinion nut had only one thread showing and took very little force to remove. As I did not know how to remove the retainer "holding" the nut in place, I used a hammer and a punch to try to spin it. The retainer and the nut moved with very little effort. There was only one thread on the shaft showing before I loosened it. I called a dealership and they told me to bring it in the next morning. The nuts on these are all individually adjusted until the bearing yields a certain resistance and this can only be done with the components in the rear of the differential removed. The service manager is starting to talk about "normal wear and tear" since the recall. My contention is that the original recall was not performed properly by a dealer when the recall was done. We can not know what was normal wear and tear if the nut has been coming loose for a number of years. There may be a required washer missing but that has not been determined yet. If there is a washer missing, that means that they removed the pinion nut completely before replacing it which you cannot do without removing the differential cartridge to properly set the pre-load force on the bearing. Each one of these needs to be adjusted individually.

This vehicle rear differential locked up unexpectedly while driving on 8/29/17 breaking the rear differential and driveline. Our shop pulled the cover off to inspect the damage to determine the repairs that would be needed. At that time we discovered that the vehicle had been under a recall or buyback since 2/2013. We were never notified of the recall and neither was the prior owner. The vehicle had been to a Dodge dealer for service in 9/2013 and was not notified of a recall. It was also transferred at CA dmv over 1 year after the recall without any recall notification coming up. I have taken to Dodge dealership who is refusing to fix the vehicle without charging me for the work. They state that they dont know if the recalled item caused the problem. Its very obvious to anyone that the problem of the pinion nut backing off caused this problem.

While driving there was an extremely loud grinding noise coming from the rear end. I went to an auto shop and after assessing the issue, it was determined that the pinion was bad and there was a chunk of metal broke off in the rear differential. Repairs cost over 1600$.

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the rear differential locked up on the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear differential failed, but was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13v038000 (power train). The remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was previously repaired out of state, but the contact had no recollection of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, a loud humming noised was heard. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed replacement. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 12v474000(power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,105. Jo.

Vehicle was part of the pinion recall and was repaired 11/15/2013. Recently the driving of the truck caused noise and obvious differential issue. The entire gear kit and differntial need to be replaced due to it being stripped. Out of pocked $3000. Recall stated since the pinion was replaced it is up to us to fix. The differential recall "did not impact" this vehicle yet I suspect it should. The Dodge hotline states that at this time there is no recall on this specific VIN number thus it is nothing they will act on. I suspect the are linked thus expect there will be another recall for these within this lot number. Too coincidential that only some and not all are part of this recall.

When exiting off the freeway in mesa az on a short comute from work at a speed of <40mph, the truck made a werring noise coasting and a heavy vibration comming from the rear end. We stopped immediatly to investigate and there was gear oil dripping from the rear differential. After a tow and inspection from sunland auto in mesa, they said something came loose inside the rear differential housing causing damage to the ring & pinion as well as the housing. After an exhausting search for a replacement, they said Dodge had discontinued the assembly and they had to find a used one. This cost us $3000 in parts and labor on a beautiful truck that never even pulled a trailer . Unfortunatly it had just rolled over 1000000 miles so Dodge would not warranty the failure.

On 3/17/2014 safety recall NHTSA 13v-038 was completed on the vehicle by a Chrysler authorized service center. Week of 6/29/14 (on 2 separate road trips) the rear axle seized while vehicle was under motion. On 7/1/2014 vehicle was returned to same service center without further incident. The incident info & safety concerns were relayed to service rep. That afternoon was called by service rep & told (paraphrasing) "it's not doing it now. Come get it. Bring it back if it happens again. " I refuse to pick up vehicle. It remains at service center as they keep trying to get it to do "it". 7/3/2014 I contact Chrysler 800-247-9753 (case #25262149) expressed alarm to "agent" that "recall" did not correct failure or its potential. Agent contacted service provider. Agent returned to me w/response echoing & supportive of service provider. "it's not doing it now. Is there anything else I can do for you?" in frustration I said, "I am speechless. . . Clearly you are at the end of your 'script'. . . " (I was wrong) the Chrysler agent responded "I am not at the end of my script! I can still offer you monetary or tangible compensation!" I said, "for what? you said there is no problem. " (end of conversation) how can such a thing be measured? even more than having my vehicle restored to my confidence and possession, I would especially like to know that the threat of bodily injury or loss of life to anyone (resulting from the Dodge ram differential pinion nut (or not) failure) truly does not exist. Direct experience says it does. I am confident in the integrity of my service center. I do understand that they cannot fix what does not appear to be broken & what the manufacturer denies or doesn't (?) know is a problem. I do not wish to bring any hardship upon the dealer.

Our granddaughter's husband was driving the truck. While driving down the road, the truck started shaking. He pulled over and checked for a flat tire and looked under the truck. The tires were fine and he didn't see anything leaking. He started driving again and the truck started shaking again he pulled into a gas station and checked under the truck again for leaks, but nothing was leaking. The engine was running fine so he started driving again. The truck was still shaking and then started humming and making grinding noises. Then the engine stopped running but kept moving as if it were in neutral ( but still in drive). He pulled off the road. He called the closest Chrysler dealer and had it towed there. The technician said the pinion seal had leaked and there was no fluid in rear differential. The truck had a full service check in October and there were no signs of leakage. There were no signs of leakage on the garage floor either. After research, I've read of many others who have had this same problem. After doing everything we should have to care for the truck, we still ended up paying $5940. 75.

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13v038000 (power train) however, six months after the service the vehicle sustained damage to the rear as the result of the pinion nut becoming loose. The technician diagnosed that the rear differential needed to be rebuilt, which required the differential carrier bearing, pinion bearing and related components to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to assist with the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 62,936 and the current mileage was 69,946.

The pinion nut has backed off the yoke on my 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 slt 4x4 crew cab. I was looking underneath my truck and found oil from the rear differential splattered everywhere. The truck is going in 19 December to be looked at. There is currently a recall for this issue, but apparently my build date doesn't fall in line. I can tell you this is happening to Ram 1500's across the board. My build date is 1/09. The recall date needs to be expanded to include all 4th generation Dodge ram's built in 2009 and 2010. Thank you.

The rear differential of my 2009 Ram 1500 slt 4x4 has gone out at approximately 56,000 miles. The mechanics have advised me that it is the pinion gear or other gear in the differential.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Consumer writes in regards to rear axle pinion recall. Recall # 12v474000.

When accelerating from a traffic light, the rear differential pinion snapped in half, causing the vehicle to roll backwards. After rolling back, the rear wheels locked up. I understand this to be a common failure with this vehicle, and had the failure occurred a few seconds earlier at highway speed this could have caused a serious collision.

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 20 mph, a loud bang emitted from the outside of the vehicle and both of the rear tires suddenly seized. The rear end of the vehicle began to sway, which caused the vehicle to travel uncontrollably. The contact was able to regain control and the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the rear differential would need to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,800.

I was sitting at a red stop light. When the light turned green I released my foot from the brake and put my foot on the gas pedal. At that time I heard a loud boom and the truck shook as if we were hit from behind. We were not hit. The truck would run, but would not drive when it was in gear. My truck was towed to the local dealership and it was determine the rear pinion shaft snapped in half.

Rear differential failure. Pinion bolt came loose causing the entire rear differential/rear end to lock up as I was driving. My truck would not accelerate nor move in neutral after the pinion bolt came loose.

Rear wheels locking up -- possibly due to a problem with the vehicles' differential. Broken pin? this needs to be fixed ASAP! if I was on the highway there could have been fatalities.