Recall 10V657 affects 15,271 2008-2011 Dodge Ram trucks for a left tie rod ball stud fracture. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Dodge is recalling 15,271 2008-2011 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks under recall 10V657 because the left tie-rod ball stud can weaken and fracture. A broken tie-rod stud can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk; the Ram dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The tie rod assembly on 2008-2011 Dodge Ram trucks is part of the steering linkage that connects the steering gear to the front wheels. The left ball stud is the pivoting joint in that linkage, letting the tie rod move with the suspension while still holding the wheel in the commanded direction.
On affected trucks, the left ball stud can weaken and fracture. When that joint breaks, the steering linkage no longer holds the wheel in position as designed. The result is a potential loss of steering, because the driver's steering input no longer reaches the front wheel through a complete, intact linkage.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem described for this recall is the ball stud breaking, so the first noticeable change can be a sudden loss of normal steering response.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, all tied to the same tie rod steering linkage.
| 2010 Dodge Ram | tie rod (steering linkage) |
|---|---|
| 2011 Dodge Ram | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2009 Dodge Ram | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2008 Dodge Ram | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| Units affected | 15,271 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash because the driver loses normal control of the vehicle's direction. If your VIN is included, call the dealer and ask what timing applies before making long trips. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Dodge Ram is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to ask about the free left outer tie-rod replacement that fixes the fracture risk tied to loss of steering.
- Bring the recall notice if Dodge mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V657 when you call.
- Call Dodge customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard steering inputs.
What happens at the repair
The repair path for this recall is replacement of the left outer tie rod. Because the final remedy is not marked available here, the dealer repair is free once available for your VIN. At the dealer, a Ram technician replaces the left outer tie rod so the weakened ball stud is no longer in service. Parts and labor are covered under recall 10V657 once the repair is open.
Timeline
| December 24, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 7, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V657?
Recall 10V657 covers 15,271 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks with a left tie-rod ball stud that can weaken and fracture, causing loss of steering control. Dodge will replace the left outer tie rod for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Dodge Ram is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 10V657. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the left outer tie rod replacement. Reference recall number 10V657 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this safety defect at no cost. For recall 10V657, Dodge will replace the left outer tie rod free of charge at a franchised Ram dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. The left tie-rod ball stud can weaken and fracture, which can leave the driver unable to steer the truck as intended and increase crash risk. The fix is a free left outer tie rod replacement.
What if I bought this Dodge Ram used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner, so a used 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 or 5500 can still qualify. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ram dealer with recall number 10V657.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V657000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V657 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V657000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 →