Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
530–25K
7325–50K
7950–75K
5875–100K
59100–150K
32150K+
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
42,000 miles · Jan 29, 2015
Back Over PreventionStructureCrash
THE REAR BACK UP SENSORS STARTS TO WORK VERY LATE. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE (LEAVING MY CHILD AT SCHOOL) I WENT ABOUT 10FT WHEN I HIT A LIGHTNING POLE IT START TO WORK WHEN THE POLE WAS ABOUT 1 FT AND I CANT BRAKE. THANK GOD THE RESULT MY CHROME BUMPER WAS DAMAGED I THOUGHT IT WAS A CHILD. RECENTLY I PUT THE TRUCK ENT…
Read full complaint
THE REAR BACK UP SENSORS STARTS TO WORK VERY LATE. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE (LEAVING MY CHILD AT SCHOOL) I WENT ABOUT 10FT WHEN I HIT A LIGHTNING POLE IT START TO WORK WHEN THE POLE WAS ABOUT 1 FT AND I CANT BRAKE. THANK GOD THE RESULT MY CHROME BUMPER WAS DAMAGED I THOUGHT IT WAS A CHILD. RECENTLY I PUT THE TRUCK ENTERING IN REVERSE TO MY GARAGE AND THE WALL WAS ABOUT 1 FT AND THE SENSOR INDICATES 3 FT. (3 LINES) IN THE DASH MONITOR. THANKS. OTHER THAN SINCE NEW THE TRUCK WORKS PERFECT! BUT I THINK ITS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. THANKS AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679768
90,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT MOVE FROM THE ON POSITION UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS D…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT MOVE FROM THE ON POSITION UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10678861
66,127 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Engine
EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE LEAKING GAS. I CAN SMELL EXHAUST GAS INSIDE THE TRUCK CAUSING DROWSINESS ON LONG RIDES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667720
35,520 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Power Train
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I HAD IT INSPECTED AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN APRIL OF 2013 BUT IT DID NOT FIX IT. THE COMPLETE REAR PINION AND WHEEL BEARING GEARS WENT OUT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT LITHIA DODGE IN SANTA FE SAID THAT BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN INSPECTED IN APRIL IT WAS OK. NOT THE CASE. ALL OF THESE M…
Read full complaint
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I HAD IT INSPECTED AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN APRIL OF 2013 BUT IT DID NOT FIX IT. THE COMPLETE REAR PINION AND WHEEL BEARING GEARS WENT OUT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT LITHIA DODGE IN SANTA FE SAID THAT BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN INSPECTED IN APRIL IT WAS OK. NOT THE CASE. ALL OF THESE MODELS NEED TO BE RECALLED FOR A COMPLETE NEW REAR END. LIVES WILL BE LOST IF THIS ISN'T DONE. ALSO, CHRYSLER MUST TAKE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REAR END EVEN IF IT WAS INSPECTED AND APPROVED TO BE OK. IT ISN'T . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664326
47,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Power Train
OUR 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 RECENTLY DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. THE NOISE GOES AWAY ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THIS IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS AND I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE CO…
Read full complaint
OUR 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 RECENTLY DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. THE NOISE GOES AWAY ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THIS IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS AND I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE BUT SINCE WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY WE HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PARTS AND THEY HAVE HAD REPEATED COMPLAINTS, I'M WONDERING WHY DODGE HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662990
59,100 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ON MY DODGE RAM 1500 2010 AS THE TANK GETS CLOSER TO BEING FULL THE FUEL WILL OVERFLOW OUT OF THE TANK. I HAVE USED DIFFERENT GAS STATION AND IT IS NOT THE GAS STATION. THE LAST SEVERAL TIMES GAS WILL ACTUALLY SPIT OR COME OUT OF THE TANK OVERFLOWING. I HAVE TRIED FILLING THE TANK SLOWLY BY HAND AND I…
Read full complaint
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ON MY DODGE RAM 1500 2010 AS THE TANK GETS CLOSER TO BEING FULL THE FUEL WILL OVERFLOW OUT OF THE TANK. I HAVE USED DIFFERENT GAS STATION AND IT IS NOT THE GAS STATION. THE LAST SEVERAL TIMES GAS WILL ACTUALLY SPIT OR COME OUT OF THE TANK OVERFLOWING. I HAVE TRIED FILLING THE TANK SLOWLY BY HAND AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662900
94,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Power TrainSuspension
ON 11-8-14, I TOOK A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK IN FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC NOTED BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. A SEARCH FOR THE NEEDED PARTS REVEALED NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST 30 TO 60 DAYS. FOUR WEEKS LATER ON 12-5-14, A FLUID LEAK WAS NOTED FROM THE FRONT END. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIG…
Read full complaint
ON 11-8-14, I TOOK A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK IN FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC NOTED BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. A SEARCH FOR THE NEEDED PARTS REVEALED NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST 30 TO 60 DAYS. FOUR WEEKS LATER ON 12-5-14, A FLUID LEAK WAS NOTED FROM THE FRONT END. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SEAL NEEDED REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, DUE TO A HEAVY LEAK.THE NORMAL REPAIR WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT TO ENTER THE AXLE TO GET TO THE SEAL. THIS COULD NOT BE DONE SINCE NO LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS COULD BE FOUND TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC ACCESSED THE AXLE SEAL BY GOING THRU THE TOP OF THE AXLE. THE SEAL WILL AGAIN HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHEN LOWER BALL JOINTS BECOME AVAILABLE, AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $150. THIS SITUATION PRESENTS A RISK TO THE DRIVER AND MOTORING PUBLIC, SINCE THE NECESSARY PARTS CAN NOT BE SOURCED. IT CREATES A RISK THAT THE LUBRICATING FLUID INSIDE THE AXLE WILL LEAK OUT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AXLE "TYING UP," CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. CHRYSLER WILL NOT, OR CAN NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE TO ITS DEALERS OR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. THERE ARE ALSO NO "AFTER-MARKET" PARTS ON THE MARKET THAT COULD BE USED TO SAFELY COMPLETE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662872
65,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVE LINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVE LINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE LINE AND TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10659381
54,800 miles · Nov 3, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility/wiper
UPON STARTING VEHICLE I HEARD SOME TYPE OF GEAR GRINDING/KNOCKING, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE KEY OFF TOO. ALONG WITH THIS I NOTICED I HAD NO HEATING CONTROL WHICH KEPT ME FROM DE FOGGING MY WIND SHIELD OR HAVING HEAT IN GENERAL. COULD BE A BIG ISSUE IF THE WINDOWS WERE ICED OVER. HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY OVER THE LAST SE…
Read full complaint
UPON STARTING VEHICLE I HEARD SOME TYPE OF GEAR GRINDING/KNOCKING, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE KEY OFF TOO. ALONG WITH THIS I NOTICED I HAD NO HEATING CONTROL WHICH KEPT ME FROM DE FOGGING MY WIND SHIELD OR HAVING HEAT IN GENERAL. COULD BE A BIG ISSUE IF THE WINDOWS WERE ICED OVER. HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND I HAVE FINALLY DISCONNECTED THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR LOCATED BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. WILL CONTACT DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652304
55,500 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT BULB AND WAS TOLD THE TPIM/ONBOARD COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS I FOUND OUT AS THE COMPUTER COULD SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE WHILE IT'S BEING DRIVEN WHICH HAPPENED TO MY WIFE IN THE TRUCK 2 YEARS AGO. WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME WE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
2010 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year