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2010 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

354 reports with mileage · 132 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 229 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports

Steering complaints

40 reports
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150,000 miles · May 14, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering

TRUCK WILL START, RUN, AND DRIVE. BUT WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING IT WILL DIE, LEAVING YOU WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. PUT IN NEUTRAL AND IT WILL START BACK UP. YOU CAN'T GUESS WHEN IT WILL DIE, OR HOW MANY TRIES IT WILL TAKE TO START AGAIN. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE IN MOTION, TURNING, GOING FAST OR…

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TRUCK WILL START, RUN, AND DRIVE. BUT WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING IT WILL DIE, LEAVING YOU WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. PUT IN NEUTRAL AND IT WILL START BACK UP. YOU CAN'T GUESS WHEN IT WILL DIE, OR HOW MANY TRIES IT WILL TAKE TO START AGAIN. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE IN MOTION, TURNING, GOING FAST OR SLOW, OR STATIONARY. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS IN ALL SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11093621

61,000 miles · Jan 23, 2018
Steering

2010 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 61,000 MILES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING FAILING- THROUGH RESEARCH OTHER 2010'S ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS POPPING, GRABBING AND CATCHING. CALLED MANUFACTURER THEY SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY- STARTING TO FEEL DANGEROUS TO DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11064532

41,137 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Power TrainSteering

SAFETY RECALL 12V-474 FOR 2010 RAM 1500 COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. CURRENTLY, SAFETY RECALL 17V-821, WHICH COULD CASE A PARKED VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ROLL AWAY, DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. BOTH OF THESE RECALLS ARE EITHER UNABLE OR WERE UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. 12V-474…

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SAFETY RECALL 12V-474 FOR 2010 RAM 1500 COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. CURRENTLY, SAFETY RECALL 17V-821, WHICH COULD CASE A PARKED VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ROLL AWAY, DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. BOTH OF THESE RECALLS ARE EITHER UNABLE OR WERE UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. 12V-474 IS THE EXACT SAME RECALL AS 12V474000, CHRYSLER NUMBER M34, "THE NUT SECURING THE REAR AXLE PINION MY LOOSEN BECAUSE AN ADHESIVE PATCH WAS NOT INSTALLED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. IF THE NUT LOOSENS, THE AXLE CAN LOCK UP WITH LITTLE WARNING, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A CRASH". I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER RECALL GROUP THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE BUYBACK PROGRAM, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME MODEL YEAR WITH THE SAME RECALLED ISSUE (12V-474) LOOSE PINION NUT AS THOSE ELIGIBLE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NOW ANOTHER DRIVE TRAIN RECALL FOR WHICH I CANNOT RECEIVE REPAIR DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11063844

111,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (11000 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77037 (281) 447-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL AND TIE ROD FRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (11000 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77037 (281) 447-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL AND TIE ROD FRACTURE THAT NEEDED REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING) ONLINE AT NHTSA.GOV. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #11022707

160,000 miles · Mar 3, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

THIS VEHICLE HAS A BINDING WIRELESS IGNITION MODULE (WIN) RESULTING IN A CONDITION WHERE THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH PRIOR TO PLACING THE SHIFTER IN PARK. EXACTLY THE SAME AS NHTSA RECALL REFERENCE #10V200000. THIS VEHICLE SIMPLY DOES NOT HAVE THE MATCHING PART NUMBERS OF THE RECALL. BUT EXACTLY THE SAME THIN…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS A BINDING WIRELESS IGNITION MODULE (WIN) RESULTING IN A CONDITION WHERE THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH PRIOR TO PLACING THE SHIFTER IN PARK. EXACTLY THE SAME AS NHTSA RECALL REFERENCE #10V200000. THIS VEHICLE SIMPLY DOES NOT HAVE THE MATCHING PART NUMBERS OF THE RECALL. BUT EXACTLY THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10958454

50,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
SteeringSuspension

WHEN TRAVELLING AT APPRX 65MPH AFTER ABOUT AN HR COMMUTE, THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING/TREMBLING BADLY, STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SIDE TO SIDE, I HAD TO DROP MY SPEED TO 25/30 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING AND SHAKING... AFTER ABOUT 15 MINS OR SO, IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL... BUT ONCE I STARTED TRAVELLING AGAIN SAME DISTANCE & MPH T…

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WHEN TRAVELLING AT APPRX 65MPH AFTER ABOUT AN HR COMMUTE, THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING/TREMBLING BADLY, STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SIDE TO SIDE, I HAD TO DROP MY SPEED TO 25/30 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING AND SHAKING... AFTER ABOUT 15 MINS OR SO, IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL... BUT ONCE I STARTED TRAVELLING AGAIN SAME DISTANCE & MPH THE ISSUE STARTED AGAIN... THIS ISSUE IS RANDOM, THERE ARE TIMES IT DOES IT AND TIMES IT DOESNT, BUT MOST TIMES ITS ONCE THE VEHICLE IS AT A HIGH SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10874056

110,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10836472

100,862 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2010 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN INSTANTLY THE GAUGE CLUSTER STARTED ACTING ERRATIC. FIRST THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY SAID THAT DIFFERENT TIRES WERE SHOWING A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT PRESSURES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED FLICKERING BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY AS WELL AS THE STOP WORKING OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMET…

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2010 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN INSTANTLY THE GAUGE CLUSTER STARTED ACTING ERRATIC. FIRST THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY SAID THAT DIFFERENT TIRES WERE SHOWING A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT PRESSURES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED FLICKERING BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY AS WELL AS THE STOP WORKING OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER AIR-CONDITIONED, POWER STEERING AND CONTINUAL WINDSHIELD WIPER ON EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE OFF AT THE SWITCH. RADIO INTERMITTENTLY ON AND OFF AND ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE AND INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT COME ON. GAUGE FUNCTION FLUCTUATES EVERY COUPLE SECOND.

NHTSA ODI #10822514

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

TRYING TO DO BUYBACK PROGRAM. I PAID OVER $37,000, ONLY HAVE 55000 MILES , GOOD CONDITION AND ONLY BEING OFFERED $12000. I STILL OWE $3025.00 ON MY LOAN. I THOUGHT IT WAS FAIR MARKET VALUE? PLEASE HELP. I HAVE 6 KIDS I DRIVE EVERY DAY TO 3 SCHOOLS PLUS WORK. THE TRUCKS STEEERING IS LOOSE, BRAKES ARE CRAZY AND IM AFRAID IM GOING …

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TRYING TO DO BUYBACK PROGRAM. I PAID OVER $37,000, ONLY HAVE 55000 MILES , GOOD CONDITION AND ONLY BEING OFFERED $12000. I STILL OWE $3025.00 ON MY LOAN. I THOUGHT IT WAS FAIR MARKET VALUE? PLEASE HELP. I HAVE 6 KIDS I DRIVE EVERY DAY TO 3 SCHOOLS PLUS WORK. THE TRUCKS STEEERING IS LOOSE, BRAKES ARE CRAZY AND IM AFRAID IM GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OR NOT BE ABLE TO STOP BUT THE OFFER IS REDICULOUS.

NHTSA ODI #10811220

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2015
EngineSteeringSuspension

THE 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BALL JOINTS BEING TOO SMALL. THIS LEADS TO MY TRUCK SKIPPING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ANY BUMPY ROADS AND HAS CAUSED ME MANY, MANY TIMES TO SUDDENLY LOOSE CONTROL. ON BUMPY DIRT ROADS IT CAN HAPPEN AT 35-45 MPH. ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS VERY BAD BETWEEN 55-60 MPH IF YOU HIT AN…

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THE 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BALL JOINTS BEING TOO SMALL. THIS LEADS TO MY TRUCK SKIPPING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ANY BUMPY ROADS AND HAS CAUSED ME MANY, MANY TIMES TO SUDDENLY LOOSE CONTROL. ON BUMPY DIRT ROADS IT CAN HAPPEN AT 35-45 MPH. ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS VERY BAD BETWEEN 55-60 MPH IF YOU HIT ANY BUMP OR EVEN IN A TIGHT CURVE. THIS TRUCK IS HIGHLY UNSTABLE. WHEN PULLING A BOAT WHERE LESS WEIGHT IS ON THE FRONT WHEELS, IT MULTIPLIES THE PROBLEM. I AM FORCED TO NEVER GO FASTER THAN 50MPH ON ANY CURVES THAT ARE REMOTELY SHARP. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS NOT A ACTIVE SAFETY PROBLEM BUT IS A HORRIBLE PROBLEM FOR EMISSION. MY TRUCK HAS THE INFAMOUS HEMI TICK. THIS IS CAUSED BY FAULTY MANIFOLD BOLTS THAT EITHER BACK OFF, RUST OFF, OR BREAK OFF LEAVING GAPS BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE MANIFOLD. CO2 IS LEAKING OUT OF THE ENGINE PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE EPA SHOULD GET INVOLVED...

NHTSA ODI #10783173

Official recalls

4

18V160000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Mar 8, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.

17V821000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Dec 20, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a 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 in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

13V038000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Feb 6, 2013

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.

12V474000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Oct 2, 2012

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.