2010 Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
630 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2010 Ram 1500, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 24/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 60,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2010 sits among all 1500 years
What owners report
“Rear drive shaft came out causing rear axles to lock putting the vehicle into a slide crossing on coming traffic.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 1500
“"key damage" words come up on the dashboard and the truck will not start. Key batteries were replaced and the vehicle still want start.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 1500
“There is a consistent ticking noise in the engine when truck is stationary. The noise is present when engine is both cold and hot.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 1500
“Poping noise in the steering while the vehicle in motionand dealership charge me $1,642.00”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 1500
“Ignition key can be turned off and removed from ignition with truck in drive allowing truck to roll away”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 1500
“Frame cut-out for mounting gas tank strap rusted out causing strap to disengage from frame causing tank to drop.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 1500
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 454 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 66,064 miles. Half of those reports fall between 39,200 and 100,862 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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,…
Fix: 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 (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…
Fix: 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 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,…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 20V024.
Led to recall campaign 12V474000.
Technical service bulletins
217 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2010 Ram 1500. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2010 Ram 1500 reliable?
The 2010 Ram 1500 drew 630 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 24/100, scored against the model's worst year (2014).
What are the most common 2010 Ram 1500 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2010 Ram 1500 are transmission & drivetrain (230 complaints), electrical (81), and engine (74).
At what mileage do 2010 Ram 1500 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2010 Ram 1500 problems around 66,064 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 39,200 and 100,862 miles.
Does the 2010 Ram 1500 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2010 Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.