2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 229 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 47% of all 486 complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 60,000 miles, and three related recalls (13V038000, 12V474000, 17V821000) cover pinion nut and shift-related defects.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 229
- 47% of 486
- Crashes reported
- 12
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Rear axle or driveshaft failures at highway speed cause sudden wheel lockup, loss of control, and spin-outs.
- Rear differential locking up while driving triggers the driveshaft to break and the truck to skid to a stop.
- Owners report the transmission or rear end humming, rattling, and leaking fluid before the drive shaft breaks and the rear wheels seize.
- Vehicles parked and put in park have rolled away on their own, some tied to the steering-column gear shifter popping out of position, causing property damage and injury.
- Sudden pulling to one side while driving has led to loss of control and crashes into fixed objects.
When 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 14, 2010, latest Aug 28, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 12V474000Oct 2, 2012Transmission & Powertrain44,300 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
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.
Remedy: 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Ram 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Are transmission and powertrain problems common on the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 229 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for this model year, which is 47% of all 486 complaints filed for the 2010 Ram 1500.
- At what mileage do these problems typically occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2010 Ram 1500.
- Is there a recall for the 2010 Ram 1500 transmission or driveline?
- Yes, three recalls apply: 12V474000 and 13V038000 cover a rear axle pinion nut that can loosen, and 17V821000 covers a park-related software and BTSI issue.
- Did these transmission issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA records 12 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2010 Ram 1500.
- How does 2010 compare to other Ram 1500 model years for this problem?
- The 2010 Ram 1500 has the highest share at 47%, compared to 26% for 2011 and 13% for 2012, with 2014 showing 0%.