← 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
73,000 miles · Apr 7, 2018
Electrical System

THE TIPM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE TRUCK STARTS BY ITSELF WHILE PARKED, LIGHTS MALFUNCTION, WINDOWS GO DOWN BY ITSELF, NEW HEADLAMPS GO OUT. WE ARE AFRAID TO PARK IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE IT COULD START AND RUN WHILE WE SLEEP. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11083741

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY TRUCK FAILS TO START RANDOMLY, IT JUST CRANKS. THE HORN WILL RANDOMLY GO OFF BY ITSELF, AND IT HAS STALLED ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THE TIPM IS BAD. OTHER 2011 CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND HAVE HAD A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11079730

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

2 YEARS AGO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIPM ON MY TRUCK AND NOE ITS STARTING TO MESS UP AGAIN. TRUCKS JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING NO WARNING. IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT COST ME 1500.00 TO REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #11075181

89,000 miles · Feb 10, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

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 …

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #11072112

132,000 miles · Jan 24, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING (STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND BRAKE PEDAL BECOME HARD), THE FUEL PUMP RELAY LOCATED WITH IN THE (TIPM) FAILS CAUSES VEHICLE NOT TO START OR RUN, ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS; SOME LIGHTS WORKING EVERY NOW AND THEN, CIGARETTE LIGHTER BLOWING FUSE,

NHTSA ODI #11064684

98,024 miles · Jan 13, 2018
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK ALL THE TIME. THE BOX UNDER THE HOOD IS GOING OUT AND IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. OUR MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND THE REPLACEMENT PART. WE OUT NEW STARTER BATTERY AND FUEL PUMP ON IT. IT CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO RUN WITHOUT A KEY.

NHTSA ODI #11062642

134,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

IN AUGUST 2017 A DEFECTIVE ROLLER BEARING WENT OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, EFFECTIVELY DESTROYING THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. COST TO REPAIR WAS $4,000. IN DECEMBER 2017 TIPM POWER MODULE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO NOT WORK. COST TO REPLACE $1,150. BOTH ITEMS HAVE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BEING DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11058231

95,016 miles · Dec 30, 2017
Electrical System

MY TRUCK WILL NOT CRANK SOMETIMEA. I PUT A NEW STARTER AND NEW BATTERY ON IT AND IT WORKS FOR A WHILE AND THEN STOPS. ONE TIME THE FUEL PUMP RAN WITH THE TRUCK TURNED OFF MY SERVICE MAN SAYS IT'S THE COMPUTER BOX AND THIS MORNING IT WOULD NOT CRANK AT ALL. THIS PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND HARD TO FIND, FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS…

Read full complaint

MY TRUCK WILL NOT CRANK SOMETIMEA. I PUT A NEW STARTER AND NEW BATTERY ON IT AND IT WORKS FOR A WHILE AND THEN STOPS. ONE TIME THE FUEL PUMP RAN WITH THE TRUCK TURNED OFF MY SERVICE MAN SAYS IT'S THE COMPUTER BOX AND THIS MORNING IT WOULD NOT CRANK AT ALL. THIS PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND HARD TO FIND, FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #11057523

65,000 miles · Dec 26, 2017
Electrical System

TTOTALLY INTERGRAED POWER MODULE (TIPM) RECALL ON THE DODGE RAM 2011 THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING OVER NIGHT STATIONARY PARK IN DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11056670

102,000 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ENDANGERING PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND AS THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING NOR WAS THERE POWER BRAKES. AFTER MANY TESTS IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE, ALSO KNOWN AS A TIPM. THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL ON JEEP AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES DUE…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ENDANGERING PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND AS THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING NOR WAS THERE POWER BRAKES. AFTER MANY TESTS IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE, ALSO KNOWN AS A TIPM. THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL ON JEEP AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES DUE TO THE SAME COMPONENT FAILING. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE CITY HIGHWAY, LET OFF THE GAS, AND LOST ALL POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11055367

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.