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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.

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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
75,000 miles · Mar 8, 2016
Power Train

SUMMER 2015:EXPERIENE HUMMING NOISES AND TOOK TO GARAGE SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AND BRING BACK NEXT WEEK FOR REPAIRS. WHILE DRIVING SOUNDS GOT WORSE AND WHILE DRIVING THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT FELL TO THE GROUND RESULTING IN ALMOST SUDDEN STOP HAD TO BE TOWED TOOK ALMOST 2 WEEKS FOR REPAIRS- NOW SPRING TIME 2016 AND IT GOES BACK IN …

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SUMMER 2015:EXPERIENE HUMMING NOISES AND TOOK TO GARAGE SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AND BRING BACK NEXT WEEK FOR REPAIRS. WHILE DRIVING SOUNDS GOT WORSE AND WHILE DRIVING THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT FELL TO THE GROUND RESULTING IN ALMOST SUDDEN STOP HAD TO BE TOWED TOOK ALMOST 2 WEEKS FOR REPAIRS- NOW SPRING TIME 2016 AND IT GOES BACK IN TOMORROW FOR SAME SOUNDS, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL GRABS WHEN NOT NEEDED AND GIVES NO MOMENTUM TO GO UP A DRY DIRT ROAD HILL.... HUMMING NOISE AND A DIFFERENT SOUND TO BE DETERMINED BY GARAGE TOMORROW 3/9/16 WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 5 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #10845604

99,500 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Exterior Lighting

ONE DAY ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS WON'T COME ON. NEITHER WHEN TURNED ON OR IN AUTO. AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN WITHOUT EVEN POPPING THE HOOD UP. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, DURING NIGHT TIME, I WENT TO SWITCH THE LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM AND PUFF, NO LIGHTS AT ALL WHILE DRIVING 40MPH IN A HILL COUNTRY SIDE IN …

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ONE DAY ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS WON'T COME ON. NEITHER WHEN TURNED ON OR IN AUTO. AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN WITHOUT EVEN POPPING THE HOOD UP. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, DURING NIGHT TIME, I WENT TO SWITCH THE LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM AND PUFF, NO LIGHTS AT ALL WHILE DRIVING 40MPH IN A HILL COUNTRY SIDE IN A PITCH BLACK NIGHT. I SWITCHED BACK TO LOW BEAM AND NOTHING... SCARY TIMES... I'VE ENDED UP PULLING OVER THE SIDE (ONLY HALF OF THE TRUCK SINCE IT WAS ON THE HILL SIDE), TURN HAZARD BLINKERS ON ... AND BESIDES THE DANGEROUS OF THE SITUATION I WAS NOT GOING TO MOVE WITHOUT HAVING ANY TYPE OF ILLUMINATION. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON BY IT SELF.... TALKING ABOUT ANNOYING AND SCARY TIMES. SINCE THEN, I HAVE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULBS TWICE, RECHECKED THE WIRES, USED THE BRUSH WIRE ON THE CONNECTORS AND THE ISSUE STILL HAPPENING. BUT SINCE THERE ARE NOT "FUSES" ANYMORE AND THE LIGHTS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE TIPM, I DON'T HAVE THE $1350 THE CHRYSLER DEALER WANTS FOR A NEW TIPM UNIT AND RE-PROGRAMMING IT. RIDICULOUS!! AND THE WORSE PART IS... THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED. WHAT A 50 CENT FUSE COULD FIX NOW IT IS PART OF SOMETHING INTEGRATED THAT IS FAULTY AND RENDER THE WHOLE SYSTEM USELESS AT NIGHT TIME. THESE PAST 2 DAYS, THE HEADLIGHTS WON'T COME UP AT ALL, I CHECKED WITH A VOLTMETER AND THERE IS NO POWER COMING UP ON EITHER OF THE HEADLAMPS CONNECTORS (LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE).

NHTSA ODI #10839375

51,863 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RETRIEVE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RETRIEVE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,863. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10837451

50,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Electrical System

HORNS BEGAN HONKING RANDOMLY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS OFF AND NO ONE WAS IN IT OR WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. AT ONE TIME THEY BEGAN HONKING WHILE IN TRAFFIC CAUSING PANIC TO THE SURROUNDING TRAVELERS. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THEM WHICH NOW POSES A SAFETY RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE TIPM WHICH CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF A…

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HORNS BEGAN HONKING RANDOMLY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS OFF AND NO ONE WAS IN IT OR WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. AT ONE TIME THEY BEGAN HONKING WHILE IN TRAFFIC CAUSING PANIC TO THE SURROUNDING TRAVELERS. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THEM WHICH NOW POSES A SAFETY RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE TIPM WHICH CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF AND HAS IT SHE RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME CONFIGURATION AS MY TRUCK. NOW THE TRUCK HAS TO BE INSPECTED FOR SAFETY TO KEEP THE LICENSE PLATES CORRECT AND IT WILL NOT PASS WITHOUT PERFORMING A $1200 REPAIR ON A PART THAT IS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMPS STOPPED WORKING AND WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE POME BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE PUMP IN FACT IT WAS THE TIPM BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE TRUCK WAS THEM OUT OF WARRANTY IT WAS UP TO ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10837244

110,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10836472

100,862 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2010 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN INSTANTLY THE GAUGE CLUSTER STARTED ACTING ERRATIC. FIRST THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY SAID THAT DIFFERENT TIRES WERE SHOWING A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT PRESSURES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED FLICKERING BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY AS WELL AS THE STOP WORKING OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMET…

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2010 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN INSTANTLY THE GAUGE CLUSTER STARTED ACTING ERRATIC. FIRST THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY SAID THAT DIFFERENT TIRES WERE SHOWING A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT PRESSURES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED FLICKERING BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY AS WELL AS THE STOP WORKING OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER AIR-CONDITIONED, POWER STEERING AND CONTINUAL WINDSHIELD WIPER ON EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE OFF AT THE SWITCH. RADIO INTERMITTENTLY ON AND OFF AND ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE AND INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT COME ON. GAUGE FUNCTION FLUCTUATES EVERY COUPLE SECOND.

NHTSA ODI #10822514

53,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED A HUMMING NOISE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION EMITTED A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED A HUMMING NOISE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION EMITTED A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10819357

63,000 miles · Dec 28, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS WHINING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10816435

100,000 miles · Dec 28, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10816399

63,000 miles · Dec 26, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG CLUSTER LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR VARIABLE LENGTHS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO CAUSE CLEARLY DETERMINED AS TO WHY. AFTER VISIT DEALERSHIP EMAILED OFFER TO TRADE UP ON VEHICLE. ISSUE REMAINS OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #10816301

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.