I have a 2009 Ram 1500 with about 88k on it.

Yesterday I noticed that something was hanging down from bottom of the truck so I got underneath it and saw that the front fuel tank strap was only attached on one side.

Great.

"I'll just feel around and see where it popped out of, loosen a bolt, and put it back!"

Nope, the hole in the frame that the left side of the strap goes into is completely rusted out. When I felt up into the frame to find the hole, rusted parts of the frame started flaking off just from being touched by my fingers.

There is no other visible rust, other than normal surface rust, anywhere on the entire vehicle except when I went to check the rear tank strap and it looks like it is starting there.

Is this normal? The truck is barely 5 years old. It is ridiculous that a 5 year old vehicle is going to have its gas tank fall off because of rust.

Is there a recall that covers this that I don't know about?

There's no other damage to the truck, it's a 2x4 so I'm not prerunning the Baja or anything- I just use it haul yard waste to the dump, transport boxes for work, and avoid delivery charges for furniture and appliances.

Has anyone else checked to see if this was a problem on their truck?

Here are some pictures of the front strap:

https://i.imgur.com/8CDgmhe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pAOcsCo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZWms9C8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QVDZqC5.jpg

Here's a picture of the rear strap:

https://i.imgur.com/wBUGXEX.jpg

 

I should be, but i'm not surprised. Their are people who have rust coming through the paint in less then 5 years. As a 3 time Ram owner i look at Ram's all the time in parking lots and even on the road. I would say 80% of the 3rd gens i see have rust at the rear fenderwells. And the 2nd gens are even worse. Their is a guy who parks on my block with an 05' where you can stick you hand into the holes in his bumper and rocker panels. Clearly Chrysler is making no effort whatsoever to use quality steel and/or rustproof coatings.

 

I should take a look at mine since I have the same truck. I'd consider reporting this to the NTSB, fuel tanks falling out is one of those things that they would tend to be concerned with.

 

Have you talked to a dealership or Dodge about the issue? Seems the rust issue is not limited to Ram. Toyota tacoma's are having frame rust issues.

Guess I am lucking I live in AZ and don't deal with much road salt/chemicals in the winter.

Let us know if Dodge is going to help you out.

 

I think we should all get under our trucks and check this out.. This could be really problematic.

 

Wow!

I just replaced the straps on my '95 D2500 because they rusted through,

but the anchor points were fine, just the straps were bad.

I just had my new to me '09 on the hoist, and while I saw some rust starting, (very usual up here) I only looked at the straps, not the anchor points.

Have to lift the truck up again and look closer.

 

Same thing just happended to my 2009 SLT Did you ever get it fixed if so how and how much$$$. Thanks

 

Did you ever get this fixed? Same thing just happened to me. Frame rail mount point for the front strap is completely rusted. I know some people have used a ratchet strap as a temp fix but I haven't seen anyone list a permanent one yet

 

I wonder if a roll of metal strapping for hanging plumbing pipes would work.

 

My 2009 dodge ram is doing the same thing too.Has any one go to the dealer yet to complain. I'm going when I get a chance too.