DODGE RAM · model year

2010 DODGE RAM

33 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010DODGERAM carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 RAM is power train with 6 filings, followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2010 RAM, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

33
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

33 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN6
AIR BAGS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
STEERING1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
STRUCTURE1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1
VISIBILITY1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
TIRES1

Recalls (5)

10V65700024/12/2010

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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.

10V20000011/05/2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

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.

10V00900011/01/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

10V61600007/12/2010

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

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 B

10V31500007/07/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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.

Recent Complaints

20241114AIR BAGS

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.

20241114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230209POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20220823CrashAIR BAGS

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

20220105FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 171,000

20220105FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

Mileage: 171,000

20211220SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20211220SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20210624FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20210617ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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).

Mileage: 109,000

20120826POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 28,500

20120814POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 4,000

20120814WHEELS

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

Mileage: 4,000

20120808POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 36,250

20120731POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 22,300

20120429CHILD SEAT

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

20111021ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 32,300

20111021VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 32,300

20111021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 32,300

20110913TIRES

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.

Mileage: 13,000

Compare 2010DODGERAM to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 DODGE RAM have?
The 2010 DODGE RAM has 33 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 DODGE RAM?
Yes, the 2010 DODGE RAM has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 DODGE RAM?
The most-complained component for the 2010 DODGE RAM is POWER TRAIN with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2010 DODGE RAM safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.