Recall 12V474 affects 44,300 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 1500, and Dakota trucks for a loose pinion nut. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Dodge is recalling 44,300 2009-2010 Ram 1500 and Dakota trucks under recall 12V474 because the rear axle pinion nut can loosen when adhesive is missing. The loose nut can let the rear axle lock up and cause loss of vehicle control or a crash with little warning, and the Ram dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear differential in the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 1500, and Dakota trucks sends engine power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels. Inside that axle assembly, the pinion gear turns against the ring gear so the wheels receive power at the right angle. The pinion nut holds that gear in position.
On affected trucks, the pinion nut was installed without enough adhesive to keep it locked in place. As the truck is driven, the nut can loosen. Once it backs off, the pinion gear no longer stays properly seated in the differential, which can damage the axle assembly and interfere with power delivery to the rear wheels.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on noise, vibration, or a dashboard light to tell you the nut has started to loosen.
Who's affected?
Spans Dakota and Ram 1500 truck lines across the 2009 and 2010 model years, all tied to the driveline.
| 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2010 Ram 1500 | driveline |
| 2009 Dodge Dakota | driveline |
| 2010 Dodge Dakota | driveline |
| Units affected | 44,300 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose rear axle pinion nut can let the axle lock, causing loss of vehicle control or a crash with little warning. Because failure gives little warning, do not wait for a symptom to confirm the problem. Check whether your VIN is included and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500, Ram 1500, or Dakota is included in this recall.
- Contact Dodge customer service at 1-800-247-9753 with questions, and reference recall number 12V474 when you call.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer once Dodge confirms your VIN is included and ask about the free pinion nut retainer repair.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and tell the dealer the repair secures the rear axle pinion nut so the axle does not lock up.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra space and stop driving if the rear axle makes abnormal noise or binds.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician installs a pinion nut retainer on the rear axle assembly. The retainer is meant to keep the pinion nut from loosening, which is the rear axle condition described for this recall. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The filing says owner notices began on June 17, 2013. The repair description does not list an inspection time or a separate reimbursement process.
Timeline
| October 2, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 17, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V474?
Recall 12V474 covers 44,300 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 1500, and Dakota trucks with a rear axle pinion nut that can loosen from missing adhesive. If that happens, the axle can lock up, causing loss of vehicle control or a crash with little warning.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 1500, or Dakota is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 12V474. If it is, contact a franchised Dodge dealer and ask for the pinion nut retainer installation. Reference recall number 12V474 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Dodge dealers install the pinion nut retainer free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included VINs.
Is it safe to drive with recall 12V474 open?
An open recall means the truck needs the free repair. The rear axle pinion nut can loosen, and the axle can lock up with little warning, causing loss of control or a crash. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the dealer repair.
What warning signs should I watch for?
The official consequence says the axle lockup can happen with little warning. Treat that as a reason to check your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair instead of waiting for a noise, vibration, or warning light.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V474000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V474 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V474000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →