YearToAvoid

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#7 most-complained of 9 Ram 1500 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 has 486 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 25 out of 100 — #7 highest of 9 Ram 1500 model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (229 complaints, 47% of the total). Complaints report 26 crashes, 3 fires, and 13 injuries.

Complaints
486
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
26 / 3
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
14 city / 19 hwy

Top 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain229 (47%)
  2. Engine80 (16%)
  3. Electrical System75 (15%)
  4. Steering40 (8%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (8%)
  6. Fuel System38 (8%)
  7. Other31 (6%)
  8. Structure & Body27 (6%)
  9. Brakes20 (4%)
  10. Airbags14 (3%)
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter522010 Q32012 Q32014 Q32016 Q32018 Q32020 Q32023 Q12025 Q3
613 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2013 Q3 (52).

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V160000Mar 8, 2018Fuel System218,617 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting

    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. 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Transmission & Powertrain1,482,874 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift

    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. 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 13V038000Feb 6, 2013Transmission & Powertrain278,674 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:differential unit

    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. 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.

    Remedy: 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 →

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Ram 1500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Good385545 !15
2009Avoid88670215
2010Good25486415
2011Caution63689415
2012Avoid75697616

All Dodge Ram 1500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 ranks #7 of 9 among Ram 1500 model years (Complaint Index 25/100, verdict: Good). It has 486 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500?
The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (229 complaints), engine (80 complaints), and electrical system (75 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 64,800 miles.
Does the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, most recently reported 2018, covering fuel system and transmission & powertrain.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500?
EPA rates the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 at 15 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.