Recall 10V616 covers 62,166 2010-2011 Dodge Ram trucks with a reservoir-cap defect that delays brake-pedal return. Repair is free at franchised Ram dealers.
Dodge is recalling 62,166 2010-2011 Ram trucks under recall 10V616 because diesel models with a hydroboost brake system can have a power steering reservoir cap with excessive vent pressure, leaving the brake pedal slow to return. Brake lights that stay on longer increase crash risk, and the Ram dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2010-2011 Dodge Ram trucks in this recall use a hydroboost brake system, which uses hydraulic pressure from the power steering system to help multiply brake pedal force. The power steering reservoir holds that fluid, and its cap is supposed to vent pressure so the hydraulic system stays within its designed range.
On affected trucks with the diesel engine and hydroboost brakes, the reservoir cap has an excessive vent pressure level. That means the cap waits too long to relieve pressure in the reservoir. With pressure not venting as designed, the brake pedal can be slow to return after the driver presses it, instead of coming back promptly for normal braking.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the problem shows up, the brake pedal returning slowly is the thing an owner is most likely to notice.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2010 and 2011 model years, both tied to the same power steering system.
| 2010 Dodge Ram | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Dodge Ram | power steering system |
| Units affected | 62,166 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that stay on too long after braking create a crash risk because other drivers get the wrong signal about what the vehicle is doing. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously and schedule the recall service. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Dodge Ram is included in this recall.
- Check for the owner notice mailed on February 7, 2011, or reference recall number 10V616 when you call.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer about the free power-steering-reservoir-cap replacement that fixes the slow brake-pedal return condition.
- Call Dodge customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions before the dealer visit.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and ask the dealer to confirm that parts and labor are covered.
What happens at the repair
The remedy described for this recall is replacement of the power steering reservoir cap. At the dealer, a Ram technician removes the cap with excessive vent pressure and installs the replacement cap. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The notice schedule in the filing pointed to owner and dealer notification during February 2011, so ask the service desk to confirm the campaign status before bringing in the truck.
Timeline
| December 7, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 7, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V616?
Recall 10V616 covers 62,166 2010-2011 Dodge Ram trucks with diesel engines and hydroboost brakes. The power steering reservoir cap has excessive vent pressure, which can make the brake pedal slow to return. Ram dealers replace the cap for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Dodge Ram is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 10V616. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the power steering reservoir cap replacement. Reference recall number 10V616 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers replace the power steering reservoir cap free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Ram dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed brake-light behavior after the brake pedal is released. If the brake lights are slow to turn off, drivers behind the truck get less clear braking information, which increases crash risk. The dealer fix is the free reservoir cap replacement.
What if I bought my Dodge Ram used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your truck is included, then call a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall 10V616.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V616000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V616 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V616000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →