2010 Dodge RAM 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 229about this part
- Share
- 47%of 488 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 229 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500, 47% of the 488 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving 25 MPH. Rear differential locked up. Drive line separated from the pinion gear. Violently thrown into the steering column. The rear differential was beyond repair. A replacement diffenential had to be replaced. Expensive repair. Chrysler refused to reimburse for the repair. Said it was my fault for not knowing about the existing recall notice. I was never notified of any such recall until after the incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11191231, filed 2019-03, 153,000 miles“Truck broke down when driving city street normal conditions. Drive shaft fell off and broke in two. Related to safety recall n08 - rear axle pinion nut opened april 2013. Extensive damage done to truck, $13k or so in parts alone or more than truck value. Had my truck since june 2020, just now informing me they will not cover any damages caused by the safety recall issue (only the recall repairs which is minimal). Do I have any recourse with chrysler? …”
NHTSA complaint #11387176, filed 2021-01, 115,000 miles“On 8/31/20 while driving on a city street (shortly after exiting the highway) we heard a loud sound, our vehicle began to shake, fishtail and the rear end locked up causing us to come to a stop sideways across two lanes of traffic. We barely missed hitting a pedistrian. The driveshaft had fallen out. After a mechanic inspection for repairs, we were told the pinion nut came out which caused the drive shaft to fall out and the rear end to lock up.”
NHTSA complaint #11360064, filed 2020-09, 93,000 miles“I parked my vehicle, turned it off went inside for a few minutes. Came out started it up. With my foot on the brake, I tried to put it in gear (automatic transmission) would not go in gear the shifter wouldn't move. I tried a few more times and it finally went into gear. This has happened 2 times on the same day on 3 different days.”
NHTSA complaint #10746405, filed 2015-08, 77,800 miles“Around the 115,000 mile mark the rear differential started to make a weird noise when I wasn't actively accelerating. When I was coasting I could tell something was wrong with the rear end of my vehicle. The transmission shop I brought it to confirmed the rear differential bearings have gone bad. At only 115,000 thousands miles I thought this was a manufacturer issue and a safety issue. Anywhere from 10pmh or faster the grinding noise can be heard.”
NHTSA complaint #11339074, filed 2020-07, 115,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Chrysler (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…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2010–2012, Ram 1500 2009, 2013–2017, 2500 2013–2017 +7 more
- 13V038000Feb 6, 2013Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2009–2012, Dakota 2009–2011, Durango 2009 +1 more
- 12V474000Oct 2, 2012Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2009–2010, Dakota 2009–2010
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10212248Mar 30, 2022Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. Recommended…
- 10229031Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10220837Mar 10, 2021GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to…
- 10220868Mar 4, 2021Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- 10190615Mar 4, 2021Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- 10170368Dec 12, 2019Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10162502May 22, 2019Power Transfer Unit
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 | 176 | 26% |
| 2010 | 229 | 47% |
| 2009 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 | 594 | 51% |
| 2004 | 181 | 16% |
| 2003 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 | 45 | 9% |
| 1999 | 59 | 10% |
| 1998 | 85 | 16% |
| 1997 | 56 | 16% |
| 1996 | 52 | 17% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500
71 complaintsEngine
62 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsWheels
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology