Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 64 | 43% |
| Steering | 13 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 6% |
| Power train | 6 | 4% |
| Engine | 4 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred after driving over a bump in the roadway
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Fobik key ignition vibrates causing switching from (RUN) position to (ACC) position, shutting off the engine and making it almost impossible to steer a 3000kg machine without power steering increasing the risk for accide
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Truck totally destroyed by spontaneous fire, suspected to be related to short in radio or dashboard. Assessment done by fire department and truck paid off by Progressive Insurance but no compensation for contents of truc
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My husband, our son, and I were traveling down the highway at about 60-65mph when we started hearing a low winding sound. Seconds later, before my husband could get the truck over to the shoulder of the road, there was a
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My family and I were traveling down the interstate about 60-65mph in 2 wheel drive when out of nowhere we started hearing a whining/roaring noise that quickly got louder. Seconds later, there was a loud rumbling noise th
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WIN ignition module has slowly been causing difficult starting problems. Now, over even slight bumps, the sloppiness in the connection between the key and the WIN module allows the key to move and the vehicle to shut off
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRUCK JUST SHUTS OFF. RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING, LIGHTS AND POWER BREAKS.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause t
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious inj
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The r
| Reliability | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 45 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 81 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 150 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 64 of them (43%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.