RAM 1500 DS (2009–2018)

RAM 1500 DS (2009–2018) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

RAM 1500 — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
DS 2009–2018 —
DT 2019–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the 1500

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
HEMI 5.7L V8 2013–2026 6 models 653
Pentastar 3.6L V6 2013–2026 9 models 408
Ram 3.0L 6-cylinder 2014–2026 3 models 291

RAM 1500 fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used RAM 1500 prices by year → · Ford F-150 vs Ram 1500 · GMC Sierra vs Ram 1500 · Ram 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma

About this generation

The fourth-generation Dodge Ram was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This generation was sold as the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 starting in Fall 2008. The 2500 and 3500 pickups were added for 2010, and the 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cabs were added for 2011. In 2010, the Ram Trucks brand was separated from Dodge starting with the 2011 model year. Chrysler LLC attempted to keep the Ram competitive in the market through various developments for the 2009 model, including a new four-door cab style offering, new suspension, a new Hemi engine option, and the Rambox, a new storage system that allows secure storage inside the truck's bed walls.

Later models have the Rambox system tied in with the remote keyless system. In 2010, Ram was separated from Dodge, and made a separate marque. This was supposedly done so Dodge could focus more on passenger and performance cars. Despite having split from Dodge in 2010, it was actually still marketed as one until the 2013 refresh. From 2011 through 2018, Ram 2500/3500 models were marketed as having a "class-exclusive" manual transmission option, as General Motors and Ford had discontinued manual transmissions for North American models for 2007 and 2011 respectively.

The Ram 1500 (2010–2018), Ram 1500 Classic (2019–2024), Ram 2500 through 5500, and Ram DX chassis cab (Mexican market) were assembled at Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico. From 2009 to 2018, the Ram 1500 (DS) was assembled at Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan, and the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 was also assembled at Saint Louis Assembly in Fenton, Missouri, until its closure in 2009. The Ram was available with three bed lengths (5.5', 6.3', and 8') and four cab styles.

Regular cab models offered a 6.3' or 8' bed (with the former exclusive to the 1500), Quad Cab models were now exclusive to the 1500 and were only available with the 6.3' bed, and the all-new Crew Cab was available with the 5.5' (1500 only), 6.3', or 8' bed (2500/3500 only). The Mega Cab option was still available, but only remained on the heavy-duty models, and had a 6.3' bed. Improvements made from the previous generation meant the rear seats in the Mega Cab were now able to recline.

Dual rear wheels were available with long-wheelbase Ram 3500 pickups as well as the Ram 3500 Mega Cab. For 2013, the Crew Cab became available with the 6.3' bed. A coil spring five-link rear suspension replaces the leaf springs for the 1500. This was the first traditional full-size pickup truck with rear coil springs since the 1972 Chevrolet/GMC C10 and C20 (although the Chevrolet Avalanche, an SUV-based pickup truck, used rear coil springs).

The 2009 model's towing capacity was originally rated at for 2WD Ram 1500 with regular cab, long-bed, Hemi engine, 3.92 differential and 17-inch wheels, but the rating increased to without changing the setup. For the 2010 model, payload was increased by to for the regular cab 2WD model with the 3.7-liter V6 engine. Towing capacity for the regular cab Ram 1500 with 3.21 differential is rated at with 17-inch wheels and with 19-inch wheels.

Crew Cab and Quad Cab models are rated at and respectively. GCWRs are for all Ram 1500s with 3.21 axles; max for 2WD Ram 1500 with long bed, 5.7L Hemi engine, and 3.92:1 rear axle ratio. Chassis Cab versions were available on 3500, 4500, and 5500 models. The 3500 Heavy Duty model debuted at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show for the 2011 model year. Engine choices include the Hemi V8 rated at at 5,600 rpm and at 4,000 rpm for Ram 3500, and the 6.7 L Cummins turbo diesel rated at at 3,013 rpm and at 1,500 rpm for Ram 3500 (optional), 4500, and 5500.

Late-model 2011 diesel trucks were uprated to of torque. Transmission choices included a standard 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed Aisin automatic. Both transmissions support the power take-off option. The 3500 model has the regular or crew cab with single or dual rear wheels.

Source: Wikipedia — Ram pickup — Fourth generation (2009; DS), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2015 1,702 $16,903 79% 126,344 mi
2016 2,460 $18,525 87% 115,498 mi
2017 3,285 $19,995 94% 106,508 mi
2018 2,363 $21,297 100% 101,289 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2011 4 2,064 Electrical System, Power Train, Engine
2012 7 2,082 Electrical System, Engine, Power Train
2013 12 2,518 Steering, Electrical System, Engine
2014 17 1,743 Steering, Engine, Electrical System
2015 18 1,428 Steering, Engine, Power Train
2016 17 1,512 Steering, Engine, Service Brakes
2017 13 861 Steering, Engine, Electrical System
2018 15 644 Electrical System, Engine, Unknown Or Other

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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