2010 Ram 1500 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2010 Ram 1500 run from 13–14 mpg in town to 18–20 on the highway, or 15–16 combined, depending on which of its 5 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 16 mpg combined. At the other end, the 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive manages 15 mpg combined, 1 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2009 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD | 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
2010 Ram 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2010 Ram 1500 costs about $4,080 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (16 mpg combined), or roughly 27 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (15 mpg combined) comes to about $4,360 a year, $270 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2010 Ram 1500 specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2010 Ram 1500: 4.7 L 8-cyl, 5.7 L 8-cyl and 3.7 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.7 L | 6 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2010 Ram 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 488 owner complaints about the 2010 Ram 1500.
Power train is the most-reported area (36% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (11%) and engine (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 29 complaints a year: fewer than the 2009 (39 a year) and the 2011 (43 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Ram 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 488, 26 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 10 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 231 | 36% |
| Electrical system | 71 | 11% |
| Engine | 62 | 10% |
| Steering | 41 | 6% |
| Suspension | 29 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 4% |
| Structure | 26 | 4% |
| Air bags | 14 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 2% |
| Wheels | 11 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 2% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 10 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1% |
| Visibility | 8 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | <1% |
| Tires | 4 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 3 | <1% |
| Child seat | 2 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | <1% |
| Diesel fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Trailer hitches | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Me and my husband were driving down the road to go see a friend and all of a sudden the wheel hub assembly broke in half causing us to have to slam on our brakes and keep from crashing. …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. …
I went to the car wash in the afternoon, I parked truck in driveway when I got home. …
2010 Ram 1500 recalls
The 2010 Ram 1500 has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 18V160000 from March 2018, concerns gasoline fuel system.
Power train accounts for 3 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V160000 | March 8, 2018 | Gasoline fuel system | 2009–2012 |
| 17V821000 | December 20, 2017 | Power train | 2009–2017 |
| 13V038000 | February 6, 2013 | Power train | 2009–2012 |
| 12V474000 | October 2, 2012 | Power train | 2009–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2010 Ram 1500, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door Quad Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Regular Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| 4-door Crew Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ram 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2010 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2010 Ford F-150 (17 mpg) and 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 (18 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 | 554 | 29 | 8 |
| 2009 | 16 | 707 | 39 | 4 |
| 2010 | 16 | 488 | 29 | 4 |
| 2011 | 16 | 689 | 43 | 4 |
| 2012 | 16 | 698 | 46 | 7 |
| 2013 | 21 | 1,281 | 91 | 12 |
Every Ram 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2010 models
FAQ
Is the 2010 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2010 Ram 1500 has 29 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns and up to 16 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2010 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (231), electrical system (71) and engine (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2010 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 1500 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 15–16 mpg combined (13–14 city, 18–20 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 1500 per year?
About $4,080 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,360 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).