2010 Dodge Ram

Routine

Owners filed 27 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train6
000
Air Bags3
101
Electrical System › Ignition2
010
Electrical System2
010
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
100
Tires1
000
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly › U-bolt, Leaf Spring to Axle1
000
Structure1
000
Steering1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly10V657000
Filed Dec 24, 201015,271 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

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.

Risk. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid10V616000
Filed Dec 7, 201062,166 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

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.

Risk. BRAKE LIGHTS THAT ARE SLOW TO EXTINGUISH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder10V315000
Filed Jul 7, 201020,626 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

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.

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Electrical System › Ignition › Module10V200000
Filed May 11, 201037,335 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER 300, DODGE CHALLENGER, CHARGER, JEEP COMMANDER, GRAND CHEROKEE AND DODGE RAM VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE EXHIBITING A BINDING CONDITION OF THE SOLENOID LATCH.

Risk. THE RESULT OF THE DEFECT COULD LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH (WIN MODULE) PRIOR TO PLACING THE SHIFTER IN PARK. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WIN MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic10V009000
Filed Jan 11, 201020,045 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy. CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 2024MT

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.

Power Train
Filed Feb 9, 2023130,000 milesNC

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 23, 2022TX

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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 5, 2022171,000 milesGA

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.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly › U-bolt, Leaf Spring to Axle
Filed Dec 20, 2021100,000 milesKS

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.

Electrical System › IgnitionFire
Filed Jun 24, 2021200,000 milesGA

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.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 17, 2021109,000 milesCA

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).

Power Train
Filed Aug 26, 201228,500 milesMI

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

Power Train
Filed Aug 14, 20124,000 milesIL

REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING...BROUGHT TRUCK IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 8, 201236,250 milesPA

WHILE TRAVELING A LOCAL ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A SHORT TERM HUMMING NOISE AND THEN A GRINDING SOUND. REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP SHEARING THE PINION SHAFT AND ALLOWING THE DRIVESHAFT TO DROP FREE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN DROP TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT REMAINS WAITING ON PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, CHRYSLER HAS SWITCHED SUPPLIERS OF THE RING AND PINION KITS AND THERE IS CURRENTLY A BACKORDER OF APPROXIMATELY 175 PARTS KITS. CURRENT RELEASE DATE FOR THE PARTS IS OCTOBER 2012. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 31, 201222,300 milesPA

THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A WHIRRING DOWN SHIFTING NOISE THEN A LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRUCK SEIZED TO A HALT DRIVE SHAFT NOW LAYING ON GROUND. *TR

Child Seat
Filed Apr 29, 2012CA

WHILE RIDING REAR-FACING IN HER CAR SEAT, MY DAUGHTER PUT HER FOOT OVER THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND ACCIDENTALLY KICKED THE TILT-RELEASE MECHANISM ON THE LATCH STRAP, CAUSING THE STRAP TO LOOSEN SEVERAL INCHES. I AM A CPST, AND I AM CERTAIN THE SEAT WAS INSTALLED TIGHTLY AND CORRECTLY BEFORE SHE KICKED THE RELEASE. I HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE, SO I DILIGENTLY CHECK MY SEAT EACH TIME WE USE IT. I FEEL THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE TILT-RELEASE MAKES ACCIDENTAL LOOSENING A REAL DANGER FOR ANYONE USING THE SEAT. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2010, MAKE=DODGE, MODEL=RAM). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 21, 201132,300 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING HOME 10/20 ~8PM, I WAS SLOWING DOWN IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC ~45MPH. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND WAS JUST ABOUT TO PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, MY TRUCK SURGED FORWARD FOR ABOUT .25 OF A SECOND (SPLIT SECOND). THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST ~8 TIMES. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AT 26,000 MILE SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINES SWITCHING BETWEEN THE ECO MODE AND NORMAL MODE. (5.7 HEMI). PLEASE ADVISE. (I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM FOLSOM DODGE, CA.) *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 13, 201113,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER H/P TIRES, LINE SIZE 275/60R20. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST BLOW OUT WAS IN THE TREAD. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND NOTICED THAT THE BLOW OUT ORIGINATED AT THE SIDE WALL. ONE WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE CONTACT CHANGED THAT TIRE WITH A SPARE AS WELL. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2011ID

THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT BASED ON A SPECIFIC OCCURRENCE. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WHO OPERATES A VARIETY OF PASSENGER VANS AND BUSSES BETWEEN VARIOUS CITIES. IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DURING NON-DAYLIGHT HOURS DO TO THE TYPE OF HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE NOW ALLOWED ON PASSENGER AND TRUCK VEHICLES. THE INTENSITY AND BRIGHTNESS LEVEL OF HEADLIGHTS HAS INCREASED TO A POINT WHERE THE GLARE AND BLINDING EFFECT OF ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FACTOR, ESPECIALLY ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS. FURTHERMORE, MANY VEHICLES ARE NOW EQUIPPED WITH A FOUR HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AS THEIR REGULAR NIGHT TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE OPTIONAL "FOG LIGHTS" FOR SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IS NOW STANDARD LIGHTING PROTOCOL. THE OTHER OPTION ON THESE VEHICLES IS THEIR "BRIGHT" OPTION WHICH CREATES AN EVEN MORE HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC DUE TO THEIR BLINDING EFFECT. THIS "UPGRADED" HEADLIGHT, FOG LIGHT, AND BRIGHT LIGHT TREND NEEDS TO BE TONED BACK DOWN TO INTENSITY AND BRIGHTNESS LEVELS THAT EXISTED A FEW YEARS AGO AND ARE REASONABLE FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO ADJUST TO. IT IS A SIMPLE MATTER OF FACT THAT THESE HIGH LEVEL HEADLIGHT OPTIONS ARE THE CAUSE OF MORE UNNECESSARY ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES THAN EVER BEFORE. *TR

Electrical System › Integrated Trailer Brake Control
Filed Dec 1, 2010MD

2010 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN PULLING A TRAILER, THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL WILL DELIVER UP TO 10 VOLTS TO THE TRAILER BRAKES ONLY WHEN OPERATING THE HAND CONTROL. BY CONTRAST, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT DELIVER ANY MORE THAN A FEW VOLTS TO THE TRAILER AND IS INADEQUATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 1, 20103,400 milesFL

HEAD ON COLLISION GOING 45MPH. CAR PULLED OUT OF INTERSECTION INTO PATH OF OUR 2010 DODGE DAKOTA AND STOPPED. APPLIED BRAKES AND HIT HEAD ON. DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 14, 20103,500 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FAIL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Visibility
Filed Jul 8, 2010400 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH DURING SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE CHROME FINISHED RAM IN THE CENTER OF THE CONSOLE ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT IMPAIRED THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS VISION. HE STATED THAT IT ONLY OCCURRED ON SUNNY DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jun 14, 201010,025 milesCA

2010 DODGE RAM HD DIESEL E/W NEW INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER. NEW BRAKE CONTROLLER FAILURE. THE BRAKE CONTROLLER FAILURE DISCONNECTED 3 TIMES GOING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. ALSO THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKE PRESSURE COMING FROM THE INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER. FAXED ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEIR TECH WAS BUSY AND DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CALL DODGE TO SEE IF THERE IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE NEW CONTROLLER. DEALER IS RIO VISTA DODGE, LOCATION RIO VISTA, CA. I FEEL DEALER SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

20 of 27 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20110400Routine
2010 — this page27520Routine
20099610Routine
200825410Routine
200717410Routine
200625410Routine
200540510Routine
200458702Fatalities reported
2003175730Routine
2002322671Fatalities reported
20014361492Fatalities reported
20001471160Routine
19993661361Fatalities reported
19984831763Fatalities reported
199739811184Fatalities reported
199662514232Fatalities reported
199561116332Fatalities reported
199446922272Fatalities reported
199354110Routine
199258220Routine
199151320Routine
199023050Routine

Compare every Ram year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 24, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.