NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 486 owner complaints for the 2010 Ram 1500.
Recalled components: fuel system, powertrain, brakes, and electrical system. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (34 complaints, 7%). Most-reported area: powertrain (229 complaints, 47%; median mileage when it happened: 60,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Ram 1500 year
The 2010 drew 69 owner complaints in its first three years, against 210 for a typical Ram 1500 year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2019; best year: 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoidBest year
EPA and NHTSA list this model year as the Dodge Ram 1500. NHTSA files five recalls for this model year under the model name Ram alone, which it also uses for the heavy-duty Ram 2500 to 5500. 10V-616 and 10V-657 are not listed here because NHTSA's summary points only to the heavy-duty trucks; the others are.
7 safety recalls for the 2010 Ram 1500
Newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.
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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
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's number for this recall is U04.
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.
NHTSA listing: RAM 1500. Ram campaign U04.
Powertrain
Dec 20, 2017
automatic transmission · lever and linkage · column shift
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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
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 customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
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.
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
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 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.
This campaign is an expansion of a recall campaign 12V-474.Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
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.
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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
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.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler safety recall no. K15. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
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 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler's recall campaign number is k08. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler 300, dodge challenger, charger, jeep commander, grand cherokee and dodge ram vehicles.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler's safety campaign number is j37. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
NHTSA listing: RAM. Ram campaign J37.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations that name the 2010 Ram 1500; both are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
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.
NHTSA listing: RAM 1500. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
Rear differential failure
Preliminary evaluation PE12021Closed Mar 5, 2013 (opened Jul 19, 2012)
In a letter dated October 2, 2012, Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA identifying a safety defect in approximately 48,058 vehicles built with an axle pinion nut that can… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recalls 12V-474 and 13V-038, listed above.
NHTSA listing: 1500. Component: Powertrain (automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline, differential unit, driveshaft, transfer case (4-wheel drive)).
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 486 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ram 1500. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off34 · 7%
Median 69,800 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration25 · 5%
Median 68,500 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Rust or corrosion19 · 4%
Median 62,500 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Most named: driveline, driveshaft (5); driveline, differential unit (3) · Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 150 reports with mileage
Electrical system71 · 15%
Median 86,800 miles at failure, from 57 reports with mileage
Engine61 · 13%
Median 86,000 miles at failure, from 45 reports with mileage
Steering40 · 8%
Median 65,000 miles at failure, from 31 reports with mileage
Suspension28 · 6%
Median 63,600 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system27 · 6%
Median 63,200 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Body structure26 · 5%
Most named: body (19) · Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Unknown or other28 · 6%
Median 95,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ram 1500 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2010 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Ram 1500 drew the most (470) and the 2010 drew 69.
Owner complaints
2010: 486 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ram 1500
Model year
Complaints
2010
486
2011
689
2012
697
2013
1,277
2014
1,766
2015
1,450
2016
1,545
2017
880
2018
662
2019
1,481
2020
631
2021
679
2022
616
2023
201
2024
74
2025
356
2026
96
Safety recalls
2010: 7 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ram 1500
Model year
Recalls
2010
7
2011
6
2012
6
2013
11
2014
16
2015
17
2016
16
2017
13
2018
15
2019
29
2020
14
2021
15
2022
16
2023
11
2024
6
2025
8
2026
7
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 486 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Ram 1500, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (34), shaking, shuddering or vibration (25), and rust or corrosion (19). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2010 Ram 1500?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2010 Ram 1500. It lists 2 closed ones; the most recent closed on Sep 19, 2024.
How do I check if my Ram 1500 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ram dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: RAM, RAM 1500.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.