Know Your Truck

2010–2012 Ram 2500 / 3500 common problems and fixes

Steering parts lead the complaints with a tie rod recall; early 6.7L Cummins emissions parts are the common engine repairs.

What owners should know

Covers 2010–2012 · 6.7L Cummins diesel and 5.7L Hemi V8 gas · Updated 2026-10-07

The first heavy-duty trucks sold under the Ram brand. Engines are the 6.7L Cummins diesel and the 5.7L Hemi gas V8. Diesels in these years use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and EGR but no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which arrived in 2013.

We counted 724 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2010–2012 Ram 2500s and 3500s (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 502 from diesel trucks and 150 from Hemi trucks, identified by VIN; the rest (72) couldn't be matched to an engine. NHTSA files 2011–2012 Ram 3500 complaints together with the 2500, so we used each complaint's VIN, and left out 7 whose VIN belongs to a Ram 1500. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Steering parts are the most frequently reported problem, and the left tie rod was recalled.
  • Diesel emissions parts (DPF, EGR, turbo actuator) are the most commonly reported engine repairs.
  • Diesel fuel heater wiring was recalled for a fire risk.
  • Certain 2010 Ram 3500s have a Takata airbag recall; NHTSA's record says do not drive them until repaired.
  • Hemi trucks: ticking from exhaust manifold bolts or lifters.

Steering and front end

About 120 complaints mention tie rods, the drag link, track bar, ball joints or the steering linkage or gear (about 1 in 6), and NHTSA files about 410 under steering. Chrysler recalled certain 4x4s because the left tie rod assembly may break (recall 13V529000), along with an earlier tie rod recall on certain 2010–2011 trucks (11V350000). Front-end shake is reported less often than on the 2003–2009 trucks (49 complaints), but still check for it.

When buying: confirm the tie rod recalls are done, check the steering linkage and track bar for play, and hit bumps at highway speed.

6.7L Cummins

Repair sources commonly report:

  • DPF clogging and frequent "regeneration" (exhaust cleaning) cycles, which are worse with short trips and idling
  • EGR valve and cooler problems
  • Turbo actuator failures, often after 100,000 miles, with codes for boost control

Chrysler recalled certain 2010–2014 diesels because the diesel fuel heater's electrical connectors may overheat, a fire risk (recall 14V635000).

Ask whether the emissions system has been removed ("deleted"). That can cause inspection and legal problems depending on where you live.

5.7L Hemi

Owners commonly report a ticking noise. It can come from broken exhaust manifold bolts (a cheaper fix) or from lifter or camshaft wear (expensive). Have a mechanic diagnose any tick.

Recalls to check: Takata airbags (2010 Ram 3500)

  • Passenger airbag inflator may explode in a crash on certain 2010 Ram 3500s built October 2009 to January 2010 (249 trucks, recall 19V018000). NHTSA's record says do not drive the truck until the repair is done; the dealer replaces the passenger airbag inflator. Chrysler's report lists these trucks together with 4500/5500 chassis cabs and doesn't say whether pickups are included, so check the VIN.
  • Two other Takata recalls with the same do-not-drive advice, 16V352000 (passenger airbag) and 16V947000 (driver airbag), cover only 2010 Ram 3500 chassis cabs in these years, not pickups or 2500s.

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (11)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2010-2012 Ram 2500. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Left tie rod can break

    Dealer job

    Signs: Loose or wandering steering, clunks, or play in the steering linkage.

    Fix: Covered by Chrysler recalls 11V350000 (certain 2010–2011 4x4s) and 13V529000 (certain 2010–2012 4x4s; under a 2015 consent order owners were also offered a buyback or trade-in incentive). Many owners also upgrade to a heavy-duty tie rod and drag link. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 13V529000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

    Shop: heavy duty tie rod drag link▶ How-to videos

  • Takata airbag inflator can rupture (2010 Ram 3500, do not drive)

    Dealer job

    Signs: No warning. In a crash, the passenger airbag inflator can explode and throw metal fragments.

    Fix: **Do not drive the truck until the recall repair is done**, NHTSA's record says. Covered by Chrysler recall 19V018000 on certain 2010 Ram 3500s built October 2009 to January 2010: the dealer replaces the passenger airbag inflator for free. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 19V018000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • 6.7L Cummins turbo actuator failure

    Moderate DIY

    Signs: Low power, boost control codes such as P00AF.

    Fix: Confirm it with a scan tool first (actuator codes and a commanded-movement test); sticking turbo vanes and boost leaks cause similar codes. A failed actuator is replaced or recalibrated; cleaning soot from the turbo vanes sometimes helps.

    Shop: 6.7 Cummins turbo actuator▶ How-to videos

  • 6.7L Cummins EGR and DPF problems

    Best left to a shop

    Signs: Frequent exhaust cleaning cycles, EGR codes, low power.

    Fix: Have a diesel shop read the codes and check the sensors first. Depending on what it finds, the EGR valve is cleaned or replaced and the DPF cleaned or replaced. Highway driving helps the DPF clean itself.

    Shop: 6.7 Cummins EGR valve▶ How-to videos

  • Diesel fuel heater fire risk

    Dealer job

    Signs: Often no warning.

    Fix: Covered by Chrysler recall 14V635000 for certain 2010–2014 diesels: the dealer replaces the harness connector terminals and checks the fuel heater for leaks. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 14V635000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • 5.7L Hemi exhaust ticking

    Hard DIY

    Signs: Ticking that's loudest on a cold start and fades as the engine warms up.

    Fix: Confirm it first: look for broken bolt heads, a gap or soot at the manifold flange. Broken exhaust manifold bolts are the usual cause of a cold-start tick; replace the bolts and gasket. A tick that stays when warm can be a lifter, which needs a shop's diagnosis.

    Shop: 5.7 Hemi exhaust manifold bolts▶ How-to videos

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Ram 2500

Ram 3500

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →