Is the 2010 Ram 2500 a bad year?
236 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 2500 years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2010 Ram 2500 are in line with other 2500 years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
7th quietest of 20 2500 years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 2500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 39,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 152 (64%) | 18k–68k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 32 (14%) | 17k–60k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 23 (10%) | 20k–98k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 13 (6%) | 8k–85k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 22 (9%) | 45k–153k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 39,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 236 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Sep 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2010 Ram 2500: 4
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. 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.
In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The left tie rod assembly may break. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service. This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 186
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Ram 2500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) Engineering is seeking information regarding OFA leaks
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Electrical overstress
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Outer Tie Rod Failure
Neighbouring years
2009 2500: 218 complaints, keep it · 2011 2500: 298 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 2500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 2500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 1500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2010 Ram 2500 a bad year?
236 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 2500 years. At 39,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ram 2500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (152), suspension (32), engine (23), transmission and drivetrain (13), electrical system (22).
How many recalls does the 2010 Ram 2500 have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821), Fuel system (NHTSA 14V-635), Steering (NHTSA 13V-529), Steering (NHTSA 11V-350). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.