2010 Dodge 1500 Powertrain (other) Problems

During unrelated work, a mechanic discovered the retaining ring for recall N08 (rear axle pinion nut) was not installed and the pinion nut was loose enough to turn by hand. He stated the recall had either been performed incorrectly or not at all, and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The recall shows “completed” in 2013, but the defect is still present. I contacted Stellantis Customer Care, submitted photos, and they confirmed in writing that if the defect still exists, the recall must be performed free of charge regardless of age, mileage, or ownership. I sent the photos of the missing ring, screenshots showing the recall marked completed, and Stellantis’ confirmation to the dealership before having the vehicle towed to verify coverage. The truck was towed to Time Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Portland. My initial contact was [XXX] at that location. However, all recall decisions and communication later came from [XXX] , who works at a different dealership. Over the next month, the dealership repeatedly stalled the recall, saying they were waiting on approval from the district manager and then from the recall department, but no action was ever taken. Despite having Stellantis’ written confirmation and clear photographic evidence of the unresolved defect, the dealership refused to perform the recall. They insisted on treating it as a “warranty” issue and cited reasons such as mileage, age, and not being the original owner—none of which apply to safety recalls. They then stated that teardown and diagnosis “would run $1000,” even though the defect has already been documented by both the mechanic and Stellantis. All communication, including photos, the mechanic’s findings, Stellantis’ confirmation of coverage, and the dealership’s refusal, is available upon request. The truck has now been sitting at the dealership for over a month with an unresolved safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11700012

Incident

Oct 13, 2025

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 truck purchased used late May 2025 with 57000 miles. Late August 2025 with 60000 miles rear axle fell off when driving on Freeway at 60 miles per hour. Very serious accident was narrowly avoided as could not steer vehicle.Truck was serviced at dealership for recall of a pinion nut coming loose at 36107 miles in September 2013. Per this recall, the loose pinion nut can cause the axle to fail. The recall maintenance done in September 2013 at 36107 miles only lasted 24000 miles and serious safety issues reoccurred. In my opinion, on my vehicle the recall did not fix the problem. Now I am stuck with a $5000 repair on a vehicle with known recalls and safety issues that was supposedly fixed.Perhaps a second recall should be considered regarding this issue.

NHTSA ID

11687346

Incident

Aug 18, 2025

Me and my husband were driving down the road to go see a friend and all of a sudden the wheel hub assembly broke in half causing us to have to slam on our brakes and keep from crashing. The wheel almost ended up under our truck making the truck look like it was kachowing like Lightening McQueen from the movie Cars

NHTSA ID

11683820

Incident

Jul 10, 2025

I was driving to work on [XXX] when my rear end locked up and I slid sideways down [XXX]. I was going slower than normal due to slippery road conditions. The mechanic told me it was the pinion nut that froze up and locked up the gears and snapped the drive shaft. If it had been clear roads the truck probably would have flipped over. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11663333

Incident

Jan 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle differential pin retaining bolt had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,704.

NHTSA ID

11656516

Incident

Apr 24, 2025

Mileage

160,704 mi

Charging system failure at pcm causing low voltage and battery will not charge causing the vehicle to become disabled. I was on the interstate battery light came Om with system Low voltage code for engine light. The truck shut off and I was left without power steering or brakes. doing 75mph. Voltage regulator is in pcm and pcm needs replaced. Vehicle is still out of commission

NHTSA ID

11484168

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V038000 (Power Train), 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear axle pinion holding the rear drive shaft loosened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer declined to honor the recall repairs due to the age of the vehicle and possible liability issues. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

NHTSA ID

11469417

Incident

Jun 15, 2022

Mileage

183,000 mi

The vehicle was repaired under recall, but was not correctly fixed. Now the rear differential is totally shot with no warning. My dealer says it will not be covered under recall warranty since I was not the owner at the time of the recall repair.

NHTSA ID

11461366

Incident

Apr 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driveshaft detached from the sub-frame of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V474000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11419178

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

97,000 mi

TRUCK BROKE DOWN WHEN DRIVING CITY STREET NORMAL CONDITIONS. DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF AND BROKE IN TWO. RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL N08 - REAR AXLE PINION NUT OPENED APRIL 2013. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO TRUCK, $13K OR SO IN PARTS ALONE OR MORE THAN TRUCK VALUE. HAD MY TRUCK SINCE JUNE 2020, JUST NOW INFORMING ME THEY WILL NOT COVER ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUE (ONLY THE RECALL REPAIRS WHICH IS MINIMAL). DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH CHRYSLER? ARE THEY CORRECT IN THEIR HANDLING OR DO THEY OWE ME SOME KIND OF FAIR SETTLEMENT PAYOUT SINCE THE DAMAGES ARE WORTH MORE THAN THE TRUCK VALUE (TRADE IN AROUND $12K).

NHTSA ID

11387176

Incident

Jun 10, 2020

Mileage

115,000 mi

WE HAVE A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ON 8/15/19. VIN RECORDS INDICATE THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN 2014 TO SECURE THE PINION NUT. ON 8/31/20, WE WERE DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND, OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO COME TO A STOP SIDEWAYS ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC JUST MISSING HITTING A PEDISTRIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHOM AFTER INSPECTION STATED THERE WAS NO SECUREMENT DEVICE IN PLACE WHICH RESULTED IN THE PINION NUT COMING OUT CAUSING OUR DRIVESHAFT TO FALL OUT AND THE REAR END LOCK UP.

NHTSA ID

11360795

Incident

Aug 31, 2020

Mileage

93,000 mi

ON 8/31/20 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (SHORTLY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY) WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND, OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO COME TO A STOP SIDEWAYS ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. WE BARELY MISSED HITTING A PEDISTRIAN. THE DRIVESHAFT HAD FALLEN OUT. AFTER A MECHANIC INSPECTION FOR REPAIRS, WE WERE TOLD THE PINION NUT CAME OUT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO FALL OUT AND THE REAR END TO LOCK UP.*DT

NHTSA ID

11360064

Incident

Aug 31, 2020

Mileage

93,000 mi

AROUND THE 115,000 MILE MARK THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED TO MAKE A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I WASN'T ACTIVELY ACCELERATING. WHEN I WAS COASTING I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP I BROUGHT IT TO CONFIRMED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD. AT ONLY 115,000 THOUSANDS MILES I THOUGHT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND A SAFETY ISSUE. ANYWHERE FROM 10PMH OR FASTER THE GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD.

NHTSA ID

11339074

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

DROVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND FROM THE REAR END THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT LOUDER THEN STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING SHAKING SOUND AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID THEN WHEN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A LOUD BANG AND BACK WHEELS SEIZED UP COMPLETELY WHICH RESULTED IN MY SWERVING VIOLENTLY AND ENDING UP IN A DITCH. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS IN THE ROAD. I HAD A TOW TRUCK TOW IT TO MY FAMILY'S HOUSE WHERE IT STILL SITS NOW BUT DRIVE SHAFT IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. THIS ALL IS FOUND IN RECALL N08

NHTSA ID

11331179

Incident

May 9, 2020

Mileage

223,635 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBUS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2806 23RD ST, COLUMBUS, NE 68601) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11327770

Incident

May 25, 2020

Mileage

122,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED AND INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ON THE GROUND AND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

NHTSA ID

11266967

Incident

Sep 7, 2019

Mileage

196,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRE TO STOP SPINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ID

11242733

Incident

Aug 8, 2019

Mileage

176,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. AFTER THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. ALSO, THERE WAS A VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN SOMERSET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1147 SOUTH HIGHWAY 27, SUMMERSET, KY 42501, (606) 678-8178) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE GEARS AND BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,300.

NHTSA ID

11221235

Incident

Jun 17, 2019

Mileage

101,300 mi

AFTER TAKING THE TRUCK THROUGH AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MOTOR ENGAGED PUTTING THE TRANSFER CASE IN 4 LOW. THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED. IF THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11194487

Incident

Apr 6, 2019

Mileage

59,000 mi

2010 DODGE RAM 1500 W/ GEAR SHIFTER LOCATED ON STEERING COLUMN WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND BEGAN TO ROLL. AS A RESULT, OWNER OF VEHICLE SUFFERED LEFT ANKLE AND THORACIC FRACTURES REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER CRASHING INTO A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

NHTSA ID

11197410

Incident

Dec 10, 2018

WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK MONDAY MORNING AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO FOURTH GEAR. I THOUGHT I HAD ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN MANUAL MODE, SO I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IN THE DRIVE POSITION IT WOULD ONLY OPERATE IN FOURTH GEAR. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED ITS CALLED LIMP MODE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CULPRIT IS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID, SOMETIMES CALLED THE RANGE SENSOR, PART NUMBER 68353383AB. I HAD TAKEN IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT?S WHAT THE CULPRIT WAS, BUT IF I WAS GOING TO REPLACE IT I MIGHT AS WELL REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION...$2800. NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THIS, (NOR DID I THINK IT WAS NEEDED), I CALLED ADVANCED AUTO WHO ORDERED A SOLENOID PACK FOR ME, BUT IT WAS THE WRONG ONE, (4800171AA). THAT?S WHEN I CALLED CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OFF 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. [XXX] GIVE ME THE CORRECT PART NUMBER, LET ME KNOW THAT IT WAS A SPECIAL ORDER, AND THAT THEY WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO ORDER FIVE A WEEK AND IT WOULD TAKE 5 TO 7 DAYS TO COME IN. I SAID THAT SEEMED ODD AND ASKED IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE. HE SAID LET ME LOOK, AND THAT?S WHEN HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE FIXING 640 OF THESE A WEEK NATIONWIDE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. HOW IS THAT SO? I WAS LUCKY IN THAT MY ISSUE HAPPENED IN/ON MY OWN DRIVEWAY/STREET WHERE I COULD BACK UP AND FIGURE OUT A PLAN. BUT I HAVE READ WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE AS THEY ARE OUT AND ABOUT WITH NO WARNING. DANGEROUS OR NOT, OVER 33,000 REPAIRS IN A YEARS TIME SEEMS TO BE AT RECALL LEVEL. THE PART FROM DODGE IS $460 PLUS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A TRANSMISSION KIT, SO OVER $500 AND A HOT MESS IF YOU?RE WILLING TO TACKLE IT YOURSELF. ADD 2-4 HOURS SHOP LABOR AT $60-$100/HR PLUS SHOP SUPPLIES AND MOST OF YOUR DAY OR MULTIPLE DAYS (EITHER WAY) IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING OR ABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ID

11191749

Incident

Mar 25, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

DRIVING 25 MPH. REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP. DRIVE LINE SEPARATED FROM THE PINION GEAR. VIOLENTLY THROWN INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BEYOND REPAIR. A REPLACEMENT DIFFENENTIAL HAD TO BE REPLACED. EXPENSIVE REPAIR. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR. SAID IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE EXISTING RECALL NOTICE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY SUCH RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11191231

Incident

Mar 7, 2019

Mileage

153,000 mi

BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS CAUSING TICKING NOISE.

NHTSA ID

11170810

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT SHERIDAN MOTOR (1812 COFFEEN AVE, SHERIDAN, WY 82801, (307) 763-5884) INDICATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY RECEIVING ONE PART PER WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11170644

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V474000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TRI-LAKES MOTORS (180 STATE HWY F, BRANSON, MO 65616, (417) 334-7543) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11161940

Incident

Jul 1, 2018