Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2010 Dodge Ram is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 33 owner complaints run below the Ram median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (7), transmission (7), and airbags (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
33
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
1
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 7 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 4 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 2 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 2 | 6% | — flat |
| Suspension | 2 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 6% | — flat |
| Child Seat | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Lighting | 1 | 3% | — flat |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Consequence
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES PER HOUR, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IT HAS SURGED IN SPEED WITH OUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL FOR NO REASON. NOTHING WAS DONE BECAUSE BEING IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IT WILL NOT HAPPEN MORE THAN LIKELY.*TR”
“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…”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
It is close to typical for the Ram: 33 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), transmission (7 complaints), airbags (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Dodge Ram. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1998, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 1992, 2004, 1993, 2003, 1991. The cleanest record among Ram years belongs to 2011.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.