2010 Dodge Ram 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 485 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (46% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 485 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was just driving and the engine shut off and a check engine light came on and won't start again believe timing chain failed”Owner report · Engine · Nov 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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to obtain an auto warranty from Car Shield, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,526 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 228,863.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2025
“took the vehicle to the dealer on 2/27/25 on invoice # chcs169951 and they have refused to fix the issue. i was given a proof of correction paper without doing any or the work and told that they are no responsible to fix the issue because it is an older vehicle. I have been trying to register the vehicle but am unable to because it will not pass the brake and light inspection. I was told that it would take 2-3 weeks to update the system and has now been close to 2 months and still no update.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 173,840 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 301,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 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)”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2025
“We have had our truck taken to Nyle Maxwell in Taylor Texas and they have were suppose to check the truck because two lights came up on the dash board which dash ESP ABS and traction control light.The shift stick was stuck in park. They towed it to there shop but the lights were off and the gear shift was working. I drove off the lot had to stop at a light and my truck veered left sharply. They have looked at this problem twice. They are not finding anything but it is my truck I drive with my kids. We need so help. They also had to fix the ac and the serpentine belt because that broke while I was driving after they said it was good and safe to drive.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2024
“Ignition,key fob will not correctly start engine. Engine dies going down the road , will not stay running after you start engine it just dies and kicks the key fob out to the floor. Trying to retrieve the fob and restarting the engine, and not crashing is a serious problem. Have nearly been in major crashes because of this .”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 2024
“My husband was driving about 20mls per hrs when our truck cought fire the whole front of our truct cought fire. The front mirror and everything if distroit due to the fire .”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 (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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 485 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The most complained-about area is power train (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,200 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:driveline:differential unit. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.