← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electrical System complaints

214 reports
Clear category filter
135,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

FUEL PUMP RELAY WILL NOT ENGAGE AT TIMES. TURNING THE IGNITION KEY SEVERAL TIMES SOLVES ISSUE. FUEL PUMP RELAY WILL NO LONG SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AFTER TURNING IGNITION OFF CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AS THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP UNTIL BATTERY IS DRAINED. POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERNS INCLUDE OVER HEATING OF FUEL PUMP CAUSI…

Read full complaint

FUEL PUMP RELAY WILL NOT ENGAGE AT TIMES. TURNING THE IGNITION KEY SEVERAL TIMES SOLVES ISSUE. FUEL PUMP RELAY WILL NO LONG SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AFTER TURNING IGNITION OFF CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AS THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP UNTIL BATTERY IS DRAINED. POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERNS INCLUDE OVER HEATING OF FUEL PUMP CAUSING A SHORT SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP WHICH MAY LEAD TO THE GAS TANK EXPLODING. VOLTAGE TEST WERE COMPLETED TO VERIFY RELAY IS THE ISSUE. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THE SAME ISSUES WERE PRESENT IN THE 2011 GRAND CARAVANS AND GRAND CHEROKEES, WHICH WHERE RECALLED, RUNNING THE SAME TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE AS MINE AND SEVERAL OTHERS WAS ADDRESS BUT NOT THE OTHER MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #11122486

119,000 miles · Aug 24, 2018
Electrical System

TRUCK HAS A DEAD SHORT IN THE TIPM. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY POST EVERYTIME I STOP. ENGINE WILL CRANK AND TURN OVER BUT OFTEN WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT SOMETMES DIES OUT AND/OR HESITATES WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM DOES IT TAKE TO GET THIS …

Read full complaint

TRUCK HAS A DEAD SHORT IN THE TIPM. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY POST EVERYTIME I STOP. ENGINE WILL CRANK AND TURN OVER BUT OFTEN WILL NOT START. WHEN IT DOES START IT SOMETMES DIES OUT AND/OR HESITATES WHILE DRIVING CREATING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM DOES IT TAKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL? THE SAME PART ALREADY HAS A RECALL FOR JEEP AND CHRYSLER. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? 119,000 MILES ON A VERY WELL MAINTAINED TRUCK

NHTSA ODI #11122179

90,000 miles · Aug 10, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY START AFTER THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED TO THE ON POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY START AFTER THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED TO THE ON POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUSQUEHANNA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (950 HELLAM ST, WRIGHTSVILLE, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11118906

9,000 miles · Aug 5, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TRUCK WON'T START AFTER SITTING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME 5-6 HOURS, THEN IT STARTS.POWER WINDOW & LOCKS, VISOR LIGHTS, TRACTION CONTROL, REAR BRAKE LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT, ALL WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. AC OUTLET HAS NEVER WORKED, KEY PULLED OUT OF IGNITION WITH TRUCK STAYING RUNNING, KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WON'T REL…

Read full complaint

TRUCK WON'T START AFTER SITTING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME 5-6 HOURS, THEN IT STARTS.POWER WINDOW & LOCKS, VISOR LIGHTS, TRACTION CONTROL, REAR BRAKE LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT, ALL WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. AC OUTLET HAS NEVER WORKED, KEY PULLED OUT OF IGNITION WITH TRUCK STAYING RUNNING, KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WON'T RELEASE, BIG THING IS TRUCK SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING, NOW WERE AFRAID OF DRIVING IT. DEALER LOOKED AT NUMEROUS TIMES TO BLAME OUR STEREO IN IT. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING IT HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, DON'T KNOW WHAT ITS GOING TO TAKE FOR A RECALL, SOMEONE GETTING KILLED? CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED IT IN THE DODGE DURANGO, JEEP CHEROKEE AND OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT RAM 1500, COST 1000- 3000 FROM DEALER WHO IS THE ONLY ONE TO FIX ? IT THE TIPM MOTHER BOARD THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING AND I'M NOT EVEN A MECHANIC PLEASE HELP THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE 2011 WHEN I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW

NHTSA ODI #11115810

86,000 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Electrical System

THE KEY IS VERY LOOSE IN IGNITION SHUTS OFF OUT OF NO WHERE I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HAVE HAD IT TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND STATES THAT IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANT OR RECALL THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN

NHTSA ODI #11109989

43,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF, THE DOORS TO UNLOCK, THE POWER WINDOWS TO ROLL DOWN, AND THE FUEL PUMP TO CONTINUE RUNNING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRISTAR MOTORS SOMERSET (126…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF, THE DOORS TO UNLOCK, THE POWER WINDOWS TO ROLL DOWN, AND THE FUEL PUMP TO CONTINUE RUNNING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRISTAR MOTORS SOMERSET (1260 N CENTER AVE, SOMERSET, PA 15501), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #11099589

106,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM-7) FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND DIFFICULTY WITH RESTARTING. THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI #11099479

123,550 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

STARTED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST POWER. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON THE TRUCK AND THEN ON IT'S ON IT LOST POWER AND WENT DOWN TO 60 MPH. SINCE THEN I HAVE GOTTEN AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT MALFUNCTION THAT'S BLINKING ON MY DASH BOARD, ALSO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON. I HAVE …

Read full complaint

STARTED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST POWER. I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON THE TRUCK AND THEN ON IT'S ON IT LOST POWER AND WENT DOWN TO 60 MPH. SINCE THEN I HAVE GOTTEN AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT MALFUNCTION THAT'S BLINKING ON MY DASH BOARD, ALSO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON. I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY REPLACED MY FUEL TANK, BECAUSE I WOULD HEAR THE FUEL TANK STILL WORKING WHEN MY ENGINE WAS OFF. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT MY FUEL INJECTORS AND/OR MY FUSE BOX MAY BE GOING BAD BECAUSE OF THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11088335

100,000 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THE TRUCK STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES STARTING, WHEN I WOULD TURN THE KEY OFF AND ON NUMEROUS TIMES, IT THEN WOULD KICK THE FUEL PUMP IN AND THEN START. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE. ONCE THE TRUCK STARTED THEN IT RAN FINE. IT THEN STARTED TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP WITH THE KEY OFF AND NOT RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #11084226

78,565 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Electrical System

THE WIN MODULE FAILED. AKA WIRELESS IGNITION NOD. FROM MY RESEARCH IT A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS CAUSE BY FAULTY SOLDERING INSIDE OF THE MODULE. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY RISK DUE TO THE FIRE HAZARD. THE TRUCK WON'T START UNDER COLD CONDITIONS BECAUSE THE WIN MODULE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION TO START. I HAV…

Read full complaint

THE WIN MODULE FAILED. AKA WIRELESS IGNITION NOD. FROM MY RESEARCH IT A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS CAUSE BY FAULTY SOLDERING INSIDE OF THE MODULE. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY RISK DUE TO THE FIRE HAZARD. THE TRUCK WON'T START UNDER COLD CONDITIONS BECAUSE THE WIN MODULE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION TO START. I HAVE A REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED AND CAN BYPASS THE ISSUE BY USING THE REMOTE START TO START THE TRUCK AND THEN HAVE THE CAR IN THE IGNITION TO KEEP THE TRUCK RUNNING. ONCE THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WARMS UP AND THE MODULE IS WARMED UP IT WORKS LIKE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. WILL ALSO CAUSE THE TRUCK TO RANDOMLY SHUT OFF IF THE HEAT ISN'T ON IT THE TRUCK WHEN IT'S COLD OUT

NHTSA ODI #11083912

Official recalls

4

18V160000 · 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

1

EA19001 · 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.