2010 Dodge RAM 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “pinion nut” (22% of reports).
- 229power train complaints
- 60,000median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Pinion nut: mentioned in 50 of 229 complaints (22%)
- Rear axle: mentioned in 43 of 229 complaints (19%)
- Heard loud: mentioned in 15 of 229 complaints (7%)
- Chrysler jeep: mentioned in 12 of 229 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 150 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 229 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 92 | 13% | 65,500 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 176 | 26% | 44,000 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 229 | 47% | 60,000 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 231 | 34% | 69,000 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 73 | 13% | 84,459 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 61 | 12% | 63,500 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 100 | 13% | 89,500 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 593 | 51% | 110,967 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 181 | 16% | 120,678 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 125 | 11% | 74,000 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 99 | 12% | 82,500 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 95 | 9% | 57,570 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 45 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 59 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 85 | 16% | 90,000 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 56 | 16% | 70,001 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 52 | 17% | 106,000 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 30 | 14% | 86,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driveshaft detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (Power Train) however, the part to complete the recall repair was not…
During unrelated work, a mechanic discovered the retaining ring for recall N08 (rear axle pinion nut) was not installed and the pinion nut was loose enough to turn by hand. He stated the recall had either been performed incorrectly or not at all, and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The recall…
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 truck purchased used late May 2025 with 57000 miles. Late August 2025 with 60000 miles rear axle fell off when driving on Freeway at 60 miles per hour. Very serious accident was narrowly avoided as could not steer vehicle.Truck was serviced at dealership for recall of a pinion…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2010 Dodge RAM 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 229 owner complaints about power train for the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 (47% of the 487 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 60,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “pinion nut”, in 50 of 229 complaints, followed by “rear axle” (43).
Other 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
See all 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 problems or power train problems across all RAM 1500 years.