2010 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year concentrate on the front steering and suspension: owners repeatedly describe a violent front-end shake after hitting a bump at highway speed, and broken left tie rod ends, several of them after the recall repair had already been done. Steering-related complaints dominate the sample and cluster at moderate mileage, while the remaining reports cover electrical shut-offs, diesel emissions and fuel-system faults, and transmission or shifter problems at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Left tie rod breaks or separates

   • 116 complaints (49%)
   • median 40,800 mi at 4.2 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2021

   Owners describe the left outer tie rod snapping or separating with little warning, sometimes at low speed in a driveway or parking lot and sometimes while driving, leaving the wheel turned or jammed against the fender. Some say the failure happened after the truck had already received the tie rod recall repair, and others say the dealer did not have the parts or did not schedule the work when they asked. Several report towing and paying for the repair themselves. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 100,000; many reports fall between roughly 15,000 and 70,000 miles.

   Recall 13V529000Recall 11V350000

   What to check: Ask for documentation that the tie rod recall work (campaigns 13V529 and 11V350) was actually completed, and have a mechanic inspect both outer tie rod ends and the alignment before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was already a recall out for this left tie rod end. I had it replaced by Dodge on march 30, 2012. Last week I had the new replaced left tie rod end, break on me. Fortunately I was in a parking lot and not driving down the street or there would have been a wreck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10505831, filed 2013-04, 40,600 miles

   “Front left tie rod was a safety recall in march. I had it looked at and the dealer said it was fine. On friday august 24th I was turning around in a driveway after I got off the highway 10 minutes prior when the tie rod broke. I called roadside assistance in which they towed to the nearest dealer since we were 58 miles from home. The dealer gave me a rental car and told me not to worry about anything, chrysler would handle it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10472865, filed 2012-08, 69,851 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Violent front-end shake after hitting a bump ('death

   • 31 complaints (13%)
   • median 31,650 mi at 3.9 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2021

   Owners describe the steering wheel and whole front end shaking violently after the truck crosses a bump, expansion joint or level change in the pavement, usually at highway speed. They say it takes hard braking and slowing to a crawl before it stops, and that the truck wanders or pulls toward the shoulder while it happens. Several report that track bars, tie rods, steering dampers, ball joints and wheel bearings were replaced, sometimes more than once, without the shake going away, and that dealers either could not duplicate it or attributed it to the tires. Mostly reported between roughly 15,000 and 100,000 miles, on models with the 4x4 front axle, and often triggered by a bump at 45-70 mph.

   What to check: Drive the truck at highway speed over a stretch of uneven pavement or a bridge joint and watch for any shake through the wheel. Ask what front-end parts have been replaced and whether the steering damper, track bar and ball joints were checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling on the interstate at 70 MPH hit a small bump and the front end started shaking violently,the steering wheel was almost uncontrollable. I had to pull off and stop before it would stop. Then proceeding on didn't have anymore problems yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10475787, filed 2012-09, 23,160 miles

   “Traveling 60 MPH on a two lane county road in a rural area, speed limit 55mph. Drove over a slight bump in the road that was over a small creek when the steering wheel suddenly and violently started to wobble back and forth and the vehicle started to shake violently as well. The vehicle was uncontrollable and started to force me off the road toward a wooded area.luckily I was able to slow down enough for the death wobble to subside enough for me to regain control. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10536702, filed 2013-08, 15,976 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or will not start (ignition switch / wireless

   • 30 complaints (13%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2025

   Owners report the truck shutting off on its own while driving, with no warning light, and having to shift into park and restart it; some also describe the key falling out of the ignition or needing to be wiggled or jerked to start. Several attribute it to the wireless ignition node, and some say the dealer replaced the computer or could not reproduce the problem. Others note that the integration of the power module led to multiple warnings, a no-start condition and accessories staying on. Scattered across the range, mostly reported above roughly 60,000 miles and up to well over 200,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the truck several times and check that the key seats firmly and that the engine stays running over a test drive. Ask whether the ignition node or power module has been replaced, and whether any stored codes were read.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It's a random occurrence. While I'm starting it, I have to restop when I'm driving no warning, it's a manual transmission. That adds a huge danger when your truck dies in motion it's a big truck it's a work truck which makes it even more horrifying.!! Please take this seriously this is a huge danger I can't stress how important this is and I'm sure all the all of them are”

   NHTSA complaint #11385056, filed 2020-12, 60,000 miles

   “I have a 2010 Dodge RAM 2500 st. The vehicle ignition won't allow the vehicle to start some times. Also when driving down the road, the truck cuts off and I have to restart it in the middle of traffic. Ive had to roll to the sie of the road on mutiple occassions until I can get it restarted, luckily I havent had an accident yet. I googled the issue and it seems to be a common problem with the win module on the Dodge vehicles yet there hasnt been a recall initiated. It's turning into a daily occurrace with this.”

   NHTSA complaint #11382737, filed 2020-12, 305,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Diesel emissions and fuel-system faults (check engine

   • 22 complaints (9%)
   • median 18,231 mi at 2.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2021

   Owners of diesel trucks describe a check engine light that keeps returning, tied to the emissions system, with O2 sensors, the EGR valve and the exhaust system involved; some report exhaust or fuel fumes entering the cab. Others describe an exhaust regeneration required message, fuel filter or fuel-heater problems, and repair bills after a late-life emissions recall was performed. Dealers reportedly reprogrammed modules, replaced sensors and manifolds, and in some cases could not fully resolve the light. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 150,000, on the diesel versions of the truck.

   Recall 14V6350005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that no check engine light is on and ask for recent emissions-related repair records, including whether the late-life emissions recall work was done and any sensor or manifold replacement that followed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a ve5 late life emission performance degradation recall in january 2021. I had the recall performed on 1.27/2021 at razzari Dodge, merced. They installed a new cat converter and exhaust manifold. When I got my truck back, I had an cel error code p2271 o2 sensor. I had to pay $707.74 and $978.98 to get the truck running. I had no previous cel. I think they broke the wiring harness or o2 sensors when they performed the recall. . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11408550, filed 2021-04, 144,074 miles

   “We purchased a 2010 Dodge ram cummings 2500 on 06/20/2011. Weeks into making the purchase we started having engine problems. Such as a clogged fuel filter, EGR valve, the ignition key switch, truck would not start with turn of the key, you had to wiggle key inside ignition to start truck. The check engine light is always on, recently the message panel displayed exhaust is 90% full. The truck was going about 5 miles per hour. And recently it turned off on the way home barely avoiding getting hit by on coming traffic. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10594437, filed 2014-05, 100,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and column shifter problems; truck rolls in

   • 8 complaints (3%)
   • median 119,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2019

   Owners describe the truck rolling after the shifter was placed in Park and the driver had exited, and in some cases moving forward through the brakes when shifted from Park at idle. Others report transmission failure or a fractured transmission while driving at highway speed, and complaints about the length of time to get the shifter recall repair scheduled or completed. Mostly reported above about 75,000 miles, including several complaints filed years after a recall notice was received.

   Recall 17V8210001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm that the column-shifter recall (17V821) repair was completed, and test Park on a slope with the engine running to see whether the truck holds. Ask about any transmission service history or replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the vehicle is put in reverse or drive from the park position at idle the truck will pull through the brakes. This has happened in excess of 24 times between 7500 miles and 24000 miles. The truck has been looked at by the dealership with no improvemant. They were unable to duplicate the problem. There are no indicators before it happens. I believe the problem is in the transmission valve causing the t/c to be in the locked position as the transmission shifts.”

   NHTSA complaint #10498379, filed 2013-02, 7,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17v821000 (power train) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received a recall notification in december of 2017 but had not yet received a letter of confirmation that the parts were available or an expected available date. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact experienced a transmission failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11076283, filed 2018-03, 137,758 miles

Buying note. These trucks are most often reported for front steering and suspension behavior, so a highway-speed test drive over rough pavement plus proof that the tie rod recall work was completed matters more than cosmetics. Records for ignition switch, emissions and shifter recall work are worth asking for on any 2010 example.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.