IllustrationThe contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
2011 Dodge RAM 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
860–25K
6725–50K
8750–75K
7975–100K
139100–150K
33150K+
491 reports with mileage · 197 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 175 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports7 fire reports17 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
13 reportsThe contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle on the left side did not yield on the green light crashing into the vehicle and causing damage to the front driver's side. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact suffered severe injuries and was taken to the hos…
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The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle on the left side did not yield on the green light crashing into the vehicle and causing damage to the front driver's side. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact suffered severe injuries and was taken to the hospital for an x-ray and whiplash. The contact stated that the other driver was taken to the hospital as well but was unsure of his injuries. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,793.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND A THIRD VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HER HEAD HIT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND A THIRD VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD, THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE SIDE GLASS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD, BACK, ARM, AND LEGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,288. *DT*JB
TAKATA RECALL I STOP AT STOP SIGN MADE A RIGHT TURN THE TRUCK WENT IN HIGH SPEED ON ITS OWN DOWN HILL ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING UP IN MY LANE I BRAKE HARD AS I COULD TRYING TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HITS ME PUSHES THE TRUCK INTO A LIGHT POLE TO MY RIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SRIOUS HURT …
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TAKATA RECALL I STOP AT STOP SIGN MADE A RIGHT TURN THE TRUCK WENT IN HIGH SPEED ON ITS OWN DOWN HILL ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING UP IN MY LANE I BRAKE HARD AS I COULD TRYING TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HITS ME PUSHES THE TRUCK INTO A LIGHT POLE TO MY RIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SRIOUS HURT ARE A PASSENGER. THESE TRUCKS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. IN MOTION
TAKATE RECALL/I I CALLED YOUR OFFICE ABOUT 09/05/18, AND YOUR OFFICE GAVE ME FORD DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA, TN. I CALL THEM ON 09/06/18 , THIR OFFICE SAID THAY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY GOT THE PARTS IN, THAT WAS 80 DAYS AGO ( WAT NOW )
TAKATA RECALL I [XXX] MADE A REPORT IN FEBRUARY 2014 ABOUT MY DODGE RAM 1500 I REPORT ABOUT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK WHEN MY HUSBAND HAD WRECK BY FALLING ASLEEP ON THE INTERSTATE GOING TO WORK WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND HE HIT A BIG TRUCK ,YES HE HIT THE STEER WHEEL, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK, DID 15,000 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO …
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TAKATA RECALL I [XXX] MADE A REPORT IN FEBRUARY 2014 ABOUT MY DODGE RAM 1500 I REPORT ABOUT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK WHEN MY HUSBAND HAD WRECK BY FALLING ASLEEP ON THE INTERSTATE GOING TO WORK WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND HE HIT A BIG TRUCK ,YES HE HIT THE STEER WHEEL, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK, DID 15,000 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK, THIS TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE,WE WHERE OFFER THE BUY BACK PROGRAM AND WE TOLD THE DODGE COMPANY YES TAKE THIS TRUCK CAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE BUT THEY SAID WE WHERE UPSIDE ON THE AMOUNT WE OWE,WE RISK OUR LIVES WITH THIS TRUCK EVERYDAY ,THIS HAS ALSO HAS A LOT OF ELECTRIC PROBLEM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING I NEEDED MY AIRBAG REPLACED BUT AFTER NOTIFYING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR SOME TIME DESPITE ALSO BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC YEAR THAT I…
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TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING I NEEDED MY AIRBAG REPLACED BUT AFTER NOTIFYING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR SOME TIME DESPITE ALSO BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC YEAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THERE IS A CONSTANT BATTLE WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVE UPPER AND LOWER MOUNT BARS BUT THE RUBBER GIVES AWAY IN THE PART WHICH CAUSES A SWAY THAT MAKES YOU LOOSE CONTROL TRAVELING OVER 50MPH WITHOUT TOWING A LOAD. I HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO NOT USING THIS VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. ALSO TO DATE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVEN A FULL OVERHALL AS OF LAST YEAR. AT THE TIME THERE WERE 120,000 MILES ON THE POWER TRAIN
TAKATA RECALL. MY 2011 DODGE RAM HEMI SPORT. THE STEERING WHEEL HORN PAD OVER MY SRS AIRBAG IS CRACKED AND CRACKING MORE EACH DAY. IM AFRAID THAT IT WILL MAKE MY AIRBAG POP OR SHOW AND INJURE MY SELF OR OTHERS DRIVING. IT JUST STARTED A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO HIT THE HORN.
TL* THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. TH…
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TL* THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD A FAULTY LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF UPDATED 06/18/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE IMPACT SENT THE CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND HE ULTIMATELY HIT A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE IMPACT SENT THE CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND HE ULTIMATELY HIT A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CRACKED RIBS AND A CONCUSSION. THE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS. BOTH PASSENGERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. MA 10/16/ CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE RATE OF DECELERATION NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS WAS NOT MET. UPDATED 01/25/16.*JB
Official recalls
418V160000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Mar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
17V821000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
13V038000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
Feb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
10V656000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle
Dec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.