YearToAvoid

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

57/100

#4 most-complained of 8 Ram 3500 years

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

The 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 has 150 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 57 out of 100 — #4 highest of 8 Ram 3500 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is steering (92 complaints, 61% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 4 fires, and 6 injuries.

Complaints
150
Recalls
9
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
3 / 4
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

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

  1. Steering92 (61%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (19%)
  3. Engine24 (16%)
  4. Fuel System18 (12%)
  5. Electrical System17 (11%)
  6. Brakes9 (6%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain8 (5%)
  8. Other5 (3%)
  9. Airbags3 (2%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (1%)
2010 Dodge Ram 3500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter292010 Q32012 Q12013 Q32015 Q12016 Q42018 Q32020 Q12023 Q4
205 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2024 Q3; peak 2014 Q1 (29).

2010 Dodge Ram 3500 recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 9 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 →

2010 compared with other Ram 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Good291739 !—
2009Best01055 !—
2010Caution571509 !—
2011Avoid862255—
2012Avoid1003668—

All Dodge Ram 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 ranks #4 of 8 among Ram 3500 model years (Complaint Index 57/100, verdict: Caution). It has 150 complaints and 9 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 3500?
The most reported problem areas are steering (92 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (28 complaints), and engine (24 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 51,000 miles.
Does the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags, transmission & powertrain, electrical system, and engine. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.

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.