2010 Ram 1500 Powertrain & Transmission Problems

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 shows “completed” in 2013, but the defect is still present. I contacted Stellantis Customer Care, submitted photos, and they confirmed in writing that if the defect still exists, the recall must be performed free of charge regardless of age, mileage, or ownership. I sent the photos of the missing ring, screenshots showing the recall marked completed, and Stellantis’ confirmation to the dealership before having the vehicle towed to verify coverage. The truck was towed to Time Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Portland. My initial contact was [XXX] at that location. However, all recall decisions and communication later came from [XXX] , who works at a different dealership. Over the next month, the dealership repeatedly stalled the recall, saying they were waiting on approval from the district manager and then from the recall department, but no action was ever taken. Despite having Stellantis’ written confirmation and clear photographic evidence of the unresolved defect, the dealership refused to perform the recall. They insisted on treating it as a “warranty” issue and cited reasons such as mileage, age, and not being the original owner—none of which apply to safety recalls. They then stated that teardown and diagnosis “would run $1000,” even though the defect has already been documented by both the mechanic and Stellantis. All communication, including photos, the mechanic’s findings, Stellantis’ confirmation of coverage, and the dealership’s refusal, is available upon request. The truck has now been sitting at the dealership for over a month with an unresolved safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 nut coming loose at 36107 miles in September 2013. Per this recall, the loose pinion nut can cause the axle to fail. The recall maintenance done in September 2013 at 36107 miles only lasted 24000 miles and serious safety issues reoccurred. In my opinion, on my vehicle the recall did not fix the problem. Now I am stuck with a $5000 repair on a vehicle with known recalls and safety issues that was supposedly fixed.Perhaps a second recall should be considered regarding this issue.

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle differential pin retaining bolt had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,704.

I was driving to work on [XXX] when my rear end locked up and I slid sideways down [XXX]. I was going slower than normal due to slippery road conditions. The mechanic told me it was the pinion nut that froze up and locked up the gears and snapped the drive shaft. If it had been clear roads the truck probably would have flipped over. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Charging system failure at pcm causing low voltage and battery will not charge causing the vehicle to become disabled. I was on the interstate battery light came Om with system Low voltage code for engine light. The truck shut off and I was left without power steering or brakes. doing 75mph. Voltage regulator is in pcm and pcm needs replaced. Vehicle is still out of commission

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V038000 (Power Train), 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear axle pinion holding the rear drive shaft loosened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer declined to honor the recall repairs due to the age of the vehicle and possible liability issues. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

The vehicle was repaired under recall, but was not correctly fixed. Now the rear differential is totally shot with no warning. My dealer says it will not be covered under recall warranty since I was not the owner at the time of the recall repair.

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.*DT

WE HAVE A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ON 8/15/19. VIN RECORDS INDICATE THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN 2014 TO SECURE THE PINION NUT. ON 8/31/20, WE WERE DRIVING AND 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 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC JUST MISSING HITTING A PEDISTRIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHOM AFTER INSPECTION STATED THERE WAS NO SECUREMENT DEVICE IN PLACE WHICH RESULTED IN THE PINION NUT COMING OUT CAUSING OUR DRIVESHAFT TO FALL OUT AND THE REAR END LOCK UP.

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was jerking as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the contact was informed that the oxygen sensors and transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, however, the contact attempted to replace the oxygen sensors himself. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the proper oxygen sensors were replaced; however, the contact stated that when he drove over 45 MPH, all warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel and that an abnormal noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, during the repair the contact was informed that the rear differential had loose bolts and would also need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however the VIN was not available at the time of the call therefore a case could not be opened. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBUS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2806 23RD ST, COLUMBUS, NE 68601) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *BF*JB

DROVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND FROM THE REAR END THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT LOUDER THEN STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING SHAKING SOUND AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID THEN WHEN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A LOUD BANG AND BACK WHEELS SEIZED UP COMPLETELY WHICH RESULTED IN MY SWERVING VIOLENTLY AND ENDING UP IN A DITCH. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS IN THE ROAD. I HAD A TOW TRUCK TOW IT TO MY FAMILY'S HOUSE WHERE IT STILL SITS NOW BUT DRIVE SHAFT IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. THIS ALL IS FOUND IN RECALL N08

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED AND INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ON THE GROUND AND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRE TO STOP SPINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. AFTER THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. ALSO, THERE WAS A VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN SOMERSET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1147 SOUTH HIGHWAY 27, SUMMERSET, KY 42501, (606) 678-8178) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE GEARS AND BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,300.

AFTER TAKING THE TRUCK THROUGH AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MOTOR ENGAGED PUTTING THE TRANSFER CASE IN 4 LOW. THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED. IF THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL.

WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK MONDAY MORNING AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO FOURTH GEAR. I THOUGHT I HAD ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN MANUAL MODE, SO I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IN THE DRIVE POSITION IT WOULD ONLY OPERATE IN FOURTH GEAR. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED ITS CALLED LIMP MODE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CULPRIT IS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID, SOMETIMES CALLED THE RANGE SENSOR, PART NUMBER 68353383AB. I HAD TAKEN IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT?S WHAT THE CULPRIT WAS, BUT IF I WAS GOING TO REPLACE IT I MIGHT AS WELL REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION...$2800. NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THIS, (NOR DID I THINK IT WAS NEEDED), I CALLED ADVANCED AUTO WHO ORDERED A SOLENOID PACK FOR ME, BUT IT WAS THE WRONG ONE, (4800171AA). THAT?S WHEN I CALLED CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OFF 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. [XXX] GIVE ME THE CORRECT PART NUMBER, LET ME KNOW THAT IT WAS A SPECIAL ORDER, AND THAT THEY WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO ORDER FIVE A WEEK AND IT WOULD TAKE 5 TO 7 DAYS TO COME IN. I SAID THAT SEEMED ODD AND ASKED IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE. HE SAID LET ME LOOK, AND THAT?S WHEN HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE FIXING 640 OF THESE A WEEK NATIONWIDE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. HOW IS THAT SO? I WAS LUCKY IN THAT MY ISSUE HAPPENED IN/ON MY OWN DRIVEWAY/STREET WHERE I COULD BACK UP AND FIGURE OUT A PLAN. BUT I HAVE READ WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE AS THEY ARE OUT AND ABOUT WITH NO WARNING. DANGEROUS OR NOT, OVER 33,000 REPAIRS IN A YEARS TIME SEEMS TO BE AT RECALL LEVEL. THE PART FROM DODGE IS $460 PLUS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A TRANSMISSION KIT, SO OVER $500 AND A HOT MESS IF YOU?RE WILLING TO TACKLE IT YOURSELF. ADD 2-4 HOURS SHOP LABOR AT $60-$100/HR PLUS SHOP SUPPLIES AND MOST OF YOUR DAY OR MULTIPLE DAYS (EITHER WAY) IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING OR ABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A STRONG SHAKE AND A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO A SAFE AREA AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS FOUND IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE COMPUTER HEAD UNIT THAT CONTROLLED THE HEATING, RADIO, AND DEFROSTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE DEFROSTER DID NOT OPERATE AND THE HEAT ONLY BLEW ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN CHRYSLER DEALER FOR THE COMPUTER HEAD UNIT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER HEAD UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AND A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.