Dodge

Ram (4th)

2009-2010 · Full-Size Truck · 5 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.3)
1,017 NHTSA Complaints
17 Recalls
9 Fire Reports
44 Crash Reports
Includes data from: RAM 1500RAM 1500 CREW CABRAM 1500 QUAD CABRAM 1500 REGULAR CABRAM 2500RAM 2500 MEGA CABRAM 2500 REGULAR CABRAM 3500RAM 4500RAM 5500
View all 3 generations of the Dodge Ram → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (23.7% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (23.7% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (23.7% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

Dodge Ram Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.0)
114 complaints 57.0 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
28
steering
21
engine
14
other
14
electrical
9

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (28 complaints)
Steering Issues (21 complaints)
Engine Issues (14 complaints)

6.7-V6-Diesel

6.7L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.9)
225 complaints 112.5 per year Diesel
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
161
safety systems
28
suspension
19
engine
11
electrical
10

Known Issues

Steering Issues (161 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (28 complaints)
Suspension Issues (19 complaints)
Show 6 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

6.7T-V8-Diesel

6.7L 8-cyl Turbo
Recommended (4.7)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1
engine
1
fuel system
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)

5.9-V8-Gas

5.9L 8-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

5.9T-I6-Diesel

5.9L 6-cyl Turbo
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

6.7T-V6-Diesel

6.7L 6-cyl Turbo
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
electrical
1
brakes
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Dodge Ram regardless of engine variant.

Steering Issues (246 complaints)
steering critical
Transmission Issues (242 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (109 complaints)
electrical critical
Wheels & Tires Issues (67 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Engine Issues (57 complaints)
engine critical

Recalls (17)

16V352000May 23, 2016critical
Air Bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

15V313000May 26, 2015critical
Air Bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

13V529000Jun 10, 2013serious
Steering

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.

13V527000Jun 10, 2013serious
Steering

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.

13V038000Jun 1, 2013serious
Powertrain

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.

12V474000Feb 9, 2012serious
Powertrain

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.

11V350000Jun 6, 2011serious
Steering

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. 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.

10V657000Dec 23, 2010serious
Steering

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.

10V200000Nov 4, 2010serious
Electrical System

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER 300, DODGE CHALLENGER, CHARGER, JEEP COMMANDER, GRAND CHEROKEE AND DODGE RAM VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE EXHIBITING A BINDING CONDITION OF THE SOLENOID LATCH.

10V009000Oct 31, 2010serious
Service Brakes

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.

10V616000Jul 11, 2010serious
Steering

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2009 THROUGH OCTOBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE AND A HYDROBOOST BRAKE SYSTEM MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP WITH EXCESSIVE VENT PRESSURE LEVELS THAT MAY RESULT IN BRAKE PEDALS THAT ARE SLOW TO RETURN.

10V315000Jul 6, 2010serious
Service Brakes

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MASTER CYLINDER TO HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) BRAKE TUBE ASSEMBLY END FLARE.

09V084000Mar 12, 2009serious
Visibility

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 65,896 MY 2008-2009 LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

09E009000Mar 12, 2009serious
Visibility

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,364 WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES, P/N 55077098AJ, SOLD DURING THE 2008 AND 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 2002-2009 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER CAPABILITY.

09V078000Oct 2, 2009serious
Powertrain

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 504 MY 2009 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 PICKUP TRUCKS HEAVY DUTY CAB CHASSIS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDAL PACKAGE. THE CLUTCH PEDAL CONNECTING ROD TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS MAY NOT ALLOW DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT.

09V005000Aug 31, 2009serious
Steering

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,782 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE. THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. ALSO THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING THE BRACKET MAY YIELD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE.

09V158000Aug 4, 2009serious
Equipment

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 36,793 MY 2009 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL (MTC) ONLY. THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING MODULE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING FUNCTIONS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Alternatives in Full-Size Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2009-2010 Dodge Ram problems?

The 2009-2010 Dodge Ram has accumulated 1,017 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Dodge Ram engine is most reliable?

The 2009-2010 Dodge Ram was offered with 11 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.7L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram a good used car?

The 2009-2010 Dodge Ram can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,017 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram have?

The 2009-2010 Dodge Ram has 1,017 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram?

There are 17 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2009-2010 Dodge Ram vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Dodge Ram?

Before buying a used Dodge Ram, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Ram?

The 2010 Dodge Ram received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,017 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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