[1] The rally was for the first time to take place outside of Europe and Africa as the location was changed by organizers due to concerns about possible terrorist attacks that resulted in the cancellation of the 2008 edition[1][2][3] In addition to motorcycle, automobile, and truck categories, a separate quad (all-terrain vehicle) class was added for the first time (previously a subdivision of the motorbike category).

[5] Due to heavy fog and the need to cross the border between Chile and Argentina, the competitive element of Stage 11 was cancelled.

During stage twelve of 15 January, rally leader Carlos Sainz rolled his Volkswagen Touareg into a ravine, ending the race for the Spaniard and his French co-pilot, Michel Perin, who received a shoulder injury during the crash.

It was the first time in Dakar Rally history that the quad category competition was held in a separate class.

Giniel De Villiers of South Africa and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz won the car category with Volkswagen.