YearToAvoid

2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

0/100

#3 most-complained of 3 Ram 2500 years

The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 has 236 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, ranking best (least complained-about) of the 3 model years with data. Steering issues dominate, making up 64% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 38,000 miles.

Complaints
236
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
5 / 4
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 problems

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

  1. Steering152 (64%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires38 (16%)
  3. Engine27 (11%)
  4. Electrical System24 (10%)
  5. Other13 (6%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain13 (6%)
  7. Fuel System10 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body7 (3%)
  9. Brakes6 (3%)
  10. Airbags2 (1%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe a violent "death wobble" where the steering wheel shakes uncontrollably and the vehicle becomes hard to steer at highway speed.
  • Left tie rod ends and drag link connections have failed, sometimes causing the front tire to jam against the frame.
  • Some owners report the steering wheel turns too easily left and right, requiring constant correction to keep the truck straight.
  • Engine compartment fires have occurred after sudden smoke and flames appeared while driving, in some cases destroying the vehicle.
  • Electrical wiring issues have led to smoke and fire even after the truck was shut off and parked.
  • One owner reported the truck violently vibrated and jumped after hitting a bridge expansion joint, pushing the vehicle into a guardrail.
2010 Dodge Ram 2500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter362010 Q42012 Q22013 Q42015 Q22016 Q42018 Q22020 Q22025 Q2
294 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q4 to 2025 Q3; peak 2014 Q1 (36).

2010 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V635000Oct 8, 2014Engine315,325 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.

    Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

  3. NHTSA 13V529000Nov 6, 2013Steering271,733 vehicles

    Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.

    Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. 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 N49.

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 →

2010 compared with other Ram 2500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict02364—
2011No verdict502984—
2012No verdict1002834—

All Dodge Ram 2500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 have?
NHTSA lists 236 complaints for the 2010 Ram 2500, with steering problems making up 64% of them (152 complaints), followed by suspension, wheels & tires issues at 16%.
Does the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 have a steering recall?
Yes. Two recalls, 13V529000 and 11V350000, cover steering linkage and tie rod issues on the 2010 Ram 2500.
How does the 2010 Ram 2500 compare to other years?
The 2010 model ranks best of the 3 years with data, with a complaint index of 0 compared to 50 for 2011 and 100 for 2012.
Is the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 reliable based on complaints?
Compared to other Ram 2500 years, 2010 has the fewest complaints (236) and the lowest complaint index (0), though it still has 4 recalls and reports of engine fires.
At what mileage do steering problems occur on the 2010 Ram 2500?
NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 38,000 miles for steering-related complaints on the 2010 Ram 2500.

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.