RoadVitals

2010 Dodge Ram

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Nov 14, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 24, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Dodge Ram, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and airbags categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)619.4%
  • Electrical516.1%
  • Airbags412.9%
  • Brakes26.5%
  • Fuel system26.5%
  • Driver assistance26.5%
  • Steering13.2%
  • Suspension13.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10V657000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Dec 24, 2010
15,271 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER GROUP LLCManufacturer number K28View on NHTSA.gov
10V616000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

Dec 7, 2010
62,166 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2009 THROUGH OCTOBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE AND A HYDROBOOST BRAKE SYSTEM MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP WITH EXCESSIVE VENT PRESSURE LEVELS THAT MAY RESULT IN BRAKE PEDALS THAT ARE SLOW TO RETURN.
The risk: BRAKE LIGHTS THAT ARE SLOW TO EXTINGUISH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER GROUP LLCManufacturer number K33View on NHTSA.gov
10V315000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Jul 7, 2010
20,626 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MASTER CYLINDER TO HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) BRAKE TUBE ASSEMBLY END FLARE.
The risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER GROUP LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE11009ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Outer Tie Rod Failure

Opened Apr 4, 2011
Closed Feb 6, 2012

ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLYLed to recall 11V350000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 27
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. was provided to the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle is not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags). The contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ID
11625299
Incident
Nov 14, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a loud bang underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear axle was completely locked in position, causing the rear wheels to start dragging while the contact was pulling to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the drive shaft had disconnected from the rear differential. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V474000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11506425
Incident
Feb 3, 2023
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 23, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported

2010 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION.

NHTSA ID
11480707
Incident
Aug 23, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2022
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated while approaching their parked vehicle, the contact noticed black smoke coming in from the inside of the vehicle. The contact open the front driver side door and noticed that the driver side door control panel and the front driver seat and floor panel had melted. The contact stated there was no fire in the vehicle and cleared all the black smoke in the interior of the vehicle by having all four doors open in the vehicle. No one was injured. No fire department report. The contact was able to start the vehicle and drive to their independent mechanic who had their insurance provider come to the mechanic shop to deem the vehicle a loss due to an electrical wiring issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

NHTSA ID
11446302
Incident
Dec 28, 2021
Mileage
171,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact was driving for their local state vehicle inspection at 65 MPH when an abnormal humming noise was coming from the rear exterior of the vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact drove to the local dealer who diagnosed the failure was related to the differential gear on the bearing, and that the axle was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11444446
Incident
May 2, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 24, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while exiting out of the vehicle they mistakenly noticed that they were able to take the key out of the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact stated the failure occurred several times but the last time the vehicle battery warning light illuminated. The contact was not able to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the bottom of the fuse box connection wiring had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11422128
Incident
Jan 11, 2021
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the key fob released from the ignition without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the key fob released from the ignition while driving and reversing as the ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V200000 (Electrical System).

NHTSA ID
11421307
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
109,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 26, 2012

DRIVESHAFT DISCONNECTED/SLIPPED OUT OF REAR DIFF (HANGING DOWN - STILL ON TRUCK) LOSS OF POWER/HAD TO COAST TO A SAFE AREA DURING COASTING CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP/SOMETHING LOCKED UP IN REAR DIFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472488
Incident
Aug 25, 2012
Mileage
28,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CSN-L04

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DODGE: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INGRESSION IN OUTER TIE ROD ENDS. *PE

CSN-K20

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

RAM/DODGE JEEP SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE ENGINE WATER PUMP ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY LEAK COOLANT. ENGINE OPERATION WITH A LOW COOLANT LEVEL COULD CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE OR LOW CABIN HEATER OUTPUT. CSC LETTER WAS REC'D. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011041—
2010Viewing275159.7
2009961—
2008254156.1
2007174049.2
2006254046.7
2005405053.1
2004587261.0
2003537159.0
20021166158.4
200131814162.0
200014711163.4
199936613056.1
199848317057.4
199739811565.2
199662514966.6
1995611161066.9
1994469221366.6
1993541247.9
1992582153.5
1991513258.5
1990230044.4
1989280042.6
1988220042.6
1987180029.9
1986180049.3
1985100041.8
1984200—
1983100—
1982000—
1981200—
1980000—
1979300—
1977200—
1976100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.