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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
30,000 miles · Dec 14, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO SHINE BRIGHTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ULTIMATE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 2674 U.S. 62, MOUNTAIN HOM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO SHINE BRIGHTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ULTIMATE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 2674 U.S. 62, MOUNTAIN HOME, AR 72653) AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-726-4636 AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/16/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11054788

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2017
Engine

TAKATA RECALL. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY TRUCK, BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER.THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS MADE FOR IS WHAT GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK. I HAVE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HAVE BROKEN BOLTS ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, BECAUSE MY VIN DOES…

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TAKATA RECALL. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY TRUCK, BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER.THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS MADE FOR IS WHAT GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK. I HAVE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HAVE BROKEN BOLTS ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT STATE IT. THE TRUCK HAS THE SAME PARTS AS ALL THE OTHER TRUCKS, BUT IS NOT CONSIDERED UNDER THE RECALL ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHERS. THE DEFECT IS COSTING MAJOR MONEY ON MY BEHALF ON SOMETHING THAT IS OUT OF MY CONTROL AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11054371

55,000 miles · Nov 28, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE FRONT STRAP FOR THE GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE STRAP TO FALL AND THE GAS TANK TO HANG DOWN OFF THE TRUCK. HAD THE BACK STRAP FAILED TOO IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ISSUES....UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *JS

NHTSA ODI #11050951

70,000 miles · Nov 17, 2017
Power Train

DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED PREMATURELY. LED TO WHEEL BEARING SLOT ON AXLE SHAFT TO WEAR CAUSING AXLE SHAFT DAMAGE. IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT THIS EARLY THE AXLE SHAFT MAY HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE. FIRST NOTICED SIGNS OF DAMAGE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #11046940

66,000 miles · Nov 2, 2017
Engine

TWO REAR MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF INSIDE HEADER. CAUSES SEVERE TICKING NOISE ANYTIME THE MOTOR IS RUNNING RESULTING FROM HEAT SHIELD AND MANIFOLD RATTLING AGAINST HEADER. CAN CAUSE EXHAUST FUMES TO BE FILTERED BACK INTO CAB CAUSING INJURY

NHTSA ODI #11042501

117,900 miles · Oct 3, 2017
Engine

DODGE 5.7L HEMI ENGINES HAVE 2 COMMON, RECURRING ISSUES. 1) ENGINE LIFTERS FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE CAMSHAFT LOBES. THE END RESULT IS A COSTLY REPAIR HAVING TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTER. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WILL THROW A P030# CODE FOR A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER(S). WHEN THE MISFIRE…

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DODGE 5.7L HEMI ENGINES HAVE 2 COMMON, RECURRING ISSUES. 1) ENGINE LIFTERS FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE CAMSHAFT LOBES. THE END RESULT IS A COSTLY REPAIR HAVING TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTER. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WILL THROW A P030# CODE FOR A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER(S). WHEN THE MISFIRE HAPPENS THE VEHICLE STARTS SHACKING HORRIBLY. I HAVE SEEN A REPORT THAT A 2016 WITH 15K MILES HAD THE ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2009 WITH ONLY 72K MILES AND SEVERAL IN BETWEEN. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS, THREADS, AND COMMENTS ON THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS VERY COMMON AND DODGE SHOULD BE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTIES. YET THEY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING EXCEPT LOSE CUSTOMERS. 2) THE RECURRING EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING. MINE WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND IS CURRENTLY HAVING THE ISSUE AGAIN. AGAIN DODGE SEEMS TO DO NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE MATERIALS TO PREVENT THE ISSUE FROM RECURRING.

NHTSA ODI #11031561

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2017
Engine

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK, BOLTS BREAK, CAUSING AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK, MAKING A LOUD CLICKING NOISE THAT INCREASES WITH TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11024985

111,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (11000 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77037 (281) 447-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL AND TIE ROD FRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (11000 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77037 (281) 447-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL AND TIE ROD FRACTURE THAT NEEDED REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING) ONLINE AT NHTSA.GOV. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #11022707

75,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE NOISE REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. AFTERWARDS, THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF GRAND FORKS, LOCATED AT 2373 32ND AVE S, GRAND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE NOISE REMAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. AFTERWARDS, THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF GRAND FORKS, LOCATED AT 2373 32ND AVE S, GRAND FORKS, ND 58201; (701) 864-3645) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-726-4636 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #11021496

86,092 miles · Jul 26, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ESP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REDUCED THE SPEED AND PROCEEDED TO A REST STOP. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ESP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REDUCED THE SPEED AND PROCEEDED TO A REST STOP. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT STRAP THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING AND FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THELEN AUTO GROUP JEEP/CHRYSLER DEALER AT BAY CITY, MICHIGAN AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,092. ...UPDATED 08/02/17 *BF ..UPDATED 08/09/17 *BF *CN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11010754

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.