NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
214 reportsClear category filter102,000 miles · Dec 31, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE WHO OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AS NEEDED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECT…
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE WHO OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AS NEEDED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE CONTACT CALLED GRISSOM CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2920 W BROADWAY, BUNKER HILL, IN 46914, (765) 689-7000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SELL A REPLACEMENT KIT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #11385801
75,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH INSIDE THE TIPM COMMONLY FAILED ON A VARIETY OF CHRYSLER VEHICLES. VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11383306
93,000 miles · Nov 18, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP14004 MY RAM 1500 2011 HAS A FUEL PUMP INTERNAL RELAY IN THE TIPM. THE BATTERY RUNS DOWN EVERY NIGHT WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT HAS A BRAND NEW INTERSTATE BATTERY. MY ALTERNATOR HAS TESTED OUT TO BE IN PERFECT WORKING CONDITION. PREVIOUS TO MY BATTERY DYING THE TRUCK WOULDN'T START FOR SEVERAL…
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NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP14004 MY RAM 1500 2011 HAS A FUEL PUMP INTERNAL RELAY IN THE TIPM. THE BATTERY RUNS DOWN EVERY NIGHT WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT HAS A BRAND NEW INTERSTATE BATTERY. MY ALTERNATOR HAS TESTED OUT TO BE IN PERFECT WORKING CONDITION. PREVIOUS TO MY BATTERY DYING THE TRUCK WOULDN'T START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITHOUT CYCLING THE KEY -- NOW ALL I HAVE IS A DEAD BATTERY EVERY MORNING.
NHTSA ODI #11375266
83,000 miles · Nov 6, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MY 2011 RAM 1500 RAN ROUGH AND AT TIMES WOULD NOT START. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THE TPIM ON SEVERAL DODGE PRODUCTS HAD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FAIL OF WHICH SEVERAL MODELS WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS. MY RAM VIN DID NOT SHOW A RECALL SO I CALLED DODGE CORP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEM…
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MY 2011 RAM 1500 RAN ROUGH AND AT TIMES WOULD NOT START. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THE TPIM ON SEVERAL DODGE PRODUCTS HAD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FAIL OF WHICH SEVERAL MODELS WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS. MY RAM VIN DID NOT SHOW A RECALL SO I CALLED DODGE CORP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS TO RECALL THIS UNIT. THE FAILURES THAT OCCURED THAT WERE RECALLED HAD THE SAME TPIM BOX. WHY IS MINE NOT CONSIDERED. I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ADDED FOR THIS MODEL AND THE FIX THAT WAS MADE TO FIX MINE BE REFUNDED. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE... [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
NHTSA ODI #11373435
100,500 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND AFTER MANIPULATING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND AFTER MANIPULATING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED. TOWBIN DODGE (275 AUTO MALL DR, HENDERSON, NV 89014, (702) 558-3800) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,500.
NHTSA ODI #11373017
48,755 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
WHEN DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO, ELECTRIC SYSTEM LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON, LIKE RIGHT NOW. WHEN DRIVING ALSO FEELS LIKE TRUCK WILL DIE AND THEN PICKS UP AGAIN, THESE THINGS ARE WHEN TRUCK IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11366000
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
THE VEHICLE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET AND HIGHWAY ALMOST GETTING INTO TWO ACCIDENTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN MY VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #11365976
120,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN, THE POWER WINDOWS, AND THE FUEL PUMP OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT VARIOUS FEATURES ON THE KEYFOB FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN, THE POWER WINDOWS, AND THE FUEL PUMP OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT VARIOUS FEATURES ON THE KEYFOB FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TIM SHORT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (99 TIM SHORT DR, MOREHEAD, KY 40351) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11352539
100,000 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT HIS RESIDENCE, WHEN HE NOTICE THE FUEL PUMP WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT HIS RESIDENCE, WHEN HE NOTICE THE FUEL PUMP WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11344309
115,000 miles · Jul 25, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS SHORTED OUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND MELTS ALL WIRING IN THE AREA. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH RAM IN THE 2011 YEARS. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSIONS START SHIFTING SUPER HARD INTO GEAR AND JERKS THE WHOLE TRUCK REALLY BAD.
NHTSA ODI #11341432
Official recalls
4Mar 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.
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.
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.
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.