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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

486 reports
87,000 miles · Feb 23, 2018
Power TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AND THE PINION NUT AND BEARINGS WERE SHAVED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AND THE PINION NUT AND BEARINGS WERE SHAVED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO COURTESY CHRYSLER/DODGE IN CONYERS GEORGIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #11074464

80,000 miles · Jan 30, 2018
Electrical System

MY TRUCK HAS ISSUES WITH ALL THE ACTUATORS FOR HEATING AND COOLING. IT DOES IT RIGHT WHEN U START IT UP, AND ALSO WHILE YOUR DRIVING. I CAN'T SWITCH FAN MODES, I HAVE NO DEFROST SINCE THEY WON'T SWITCH. THE ONE ACTUATOR THAT MIGHT BE WORKING STAYS CLICKING. I KNOW THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS (K-17) THERE SAYING IT DOES NOT APPLY T…

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MY TRUCK HAS ISSUES WITH ALL THE ACTUATORS FOR HEATING AND COOLING. IT DOES IT RIGHT WHEN U START IT UP, AND ALSO WHILE YOUR DRIVING. I CAN'T SWITCH FAN MODES, I HAVE NO DEFROST SINCE THEY WON'T SWITCH. THE ONE ACTUATOR THAT MIGHT BE WORKING STAYS CLICKING. I KNOW THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS (K-17) THERE SAYING IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN,BUT CLEARLY IT'S DOING THE SAME THING AS THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11065797

85,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11065670

137,000 miles · Jan 26, 2018
EnginePower Train

REAR DIFFERENTIAL/PINION FAILURE WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2014 ACCORDING TO DODGE AND HAS FAILED AGAIN JANUARY 2018. LOUD NOISE IS HEARD FROM REAR OF TRUCK. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC, NOW DEALER WANTS TO VERIFY. ENGINE HAS HAD TO HAVE NEW CAMS PUT IN. ALSO HAS HAD FAILED EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. EXHAUST ASSEMBLY HAS A TENDENCY TO…

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REAR DIFFERENTIAL/PINION FAILURE WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2014 ACCORDING TO DODGE AND HAS FAILED AGAIN JANUARY 2018. LOUD NOISE IS HEARD FROM REAR OF TRUCK. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC, NOW DEALER WANTS TO VERIFY. ENGINE HAS HAD TO HAVE NEW CAMS PUT IN. ALSO HAS HAD FAILED EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. EXHAUST ASSEMBLY HAS A TENDENCY TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK FOR NO REASON. IT SEPARATES AND COMES APART.

NHTSA ODI #11065264

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

105,000 miles · Jan 19, 2018
Electrical System

HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO GET THE ENGINE TO START. HAVE HAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD USUALLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR TURNING AND HAVE TO PULL OVER, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND JIGGLE THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11063699

100,000 miles · Jan 14, 2018
Electrical System

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL WHEN FOB IS IN HAND OR POCKET AND SOMETIMES WON'T UNLOCK AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN EITHER FOB IS USED . REPLACED BATTERIES BUT STILL HAPPENS. SUSPECT DEFECTIVE "TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE" TIPM

NHTSA ODI #11062692

110,000 miles · Dec 29, 2017
Unknown Or Other

LOUD THUMPING BEHIND DASH. HAVE HAD A/C AND HEAT ACTUATORS REPLACED 2X IN PAST 2 YEARS. RECALL K17 APPLIED AND PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS NO HEAT AND DEFROSTERS DO NOT WORK IN THE WINTER WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 20 DEGREES. THUMPING BEHIND DASH OCCURS WHEN CAR IS STARTED, WHILE DRIV…

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LOUD THUMPING BEHIND DASH. HAVE HAD A/C AND HEAT ACTUATORS REPLACED 2X IN PAST 2 YEARS. RECALL K17 APPLIED AND PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS NO HEAT AND DEFROSTERS DO NOT WORK IN THE WINTER WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 20 DEGREES. THUMPING BEHIND DASH OCCURS WHEN CAR IS STARTED, WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11057457

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY IGNITION IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST TURN OFF WHEN THE TRUCK IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WANT TO START THE TRUCK YOU HAVE TO TRY 4 OR 5 TIMES TO GET IT TO START THE TRUCK. SOMETIMES YOU CANNOT TURN THE TRUCK OFF. SOMETIMES THE KEY FOB GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI #11054831

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.