2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 has a complaint index of 57 and ranks 4th worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering problems dominate, making up 61% of complaints, backed by 9 recall campaigns including 4 do-not-drive airbag recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 Ram 3500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 150
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- 4 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Steering
Top 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering92 (61%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (19%)
- Engine24 (16%)
- Fuel System18 (12%)
- Electrical System17 (11%)
- Brakes9 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (5%)
- Other5 (3%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel growls or grinds during turns, sometimes requiring repeated power steering pump and gearbox replacements that don't fix the problem.
- Vehicle wobbles side to side at highway speeds above 50 mph, especially after hitting a pothole or bump.
- Electrical fires and smoke have come from the fuse panel, dashboard, or under the hood, in some cases while the truck was parked.
- Engine has stalled without warning while driving at highway speed with cruise control on, in one case followed by smoke and fire.
- Transmission has appeared to lock up or the vehicle has launched unexpectedly when shifting from park to drive.
- Brakes have been difficult to stop despite multiple dealer visits to replace the brake control module.
2010 Dodge Ram 3500 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- 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.
2010 compared with other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among 8 model years. Steering complaints account for 61% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 51,617.
- What year Dodge Ram 3500 should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2012 (100) and 2011 (86) are rated Avoid, worse than the 2010 model's Caution rating of 57.
- Does the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2010 Ram 3500, including 4 do-not-drive airbag recalls and one steering linkage recall covering the tie rod assembly.
- What is the most common problem with the 2010 Ram 3500?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 61% of complaints (92 total), with a median failure mileage of 51,617.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2010 Ram 3500?
- NHTSA complaints list 4 fires for the 2010 model year, several tied to electrical system issues including smoke from the fuse panel and dashboard.