WHILE PARKING, THE TRK ACCELERATED AND ALMOST HIT 3 CARS BEFORE STOPPING W BRAKES SLAMMED TO THE FLOOR. WE ARE ON VACATION ARE 7 HRS FROM HOME! *TR
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
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.
Engine complaints
151 reportsWHILE DRIVING IN 30 BELOW 0 FAHRENHEIT WEATHER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION AT 55 MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER AND ONCE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW THE TRUCK IS REFUSING TO START OR EVEN POWER ON. THE KEY FOB WILL NOT START (MANUALLY OR BY THE BUTTON), U…
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WHILE DRIVING IN 30 BELOW 0 FAHRENHEIT WEATHER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION AT 55 MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER AND ONCE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW THE TRUCK IS REFUSING TO START OR EVEN POWER ON. THE KEY FOB WILL NOT START (MANUALLY OR BY THE BUTTON), UNLOCK, LOCK OR ACTIVATE THE PANIC SYSTEM. *TR
TRUCK WOULD NOT START, WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. NO WARNING LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE) ETC. HAD TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL DEALER, DEALER CONTACTED ME NEXT DAY INFORMING ME IT WAS THE PINION WHATEVER THAT IS. COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER 1200 DOLLARS. FOUND OUT THAT THE PINION IS THE HI TECH NAME FOR THE FUSE BOX THAT'S UNDER THE HOOD. I ASKED …
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TRUCK WOULD NOT START, WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. NO WARNING LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE) ETC. HAD TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL DEALER, DEALER CONTACTED ME NEXT DAY INFORMING ME IT WAS THE PINION WHATEVER THAT IS. COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER 1200 DOLLARS. FOUND OUT THAT THE PINION IS THE HI TECH NAME FOR THE FUSE BOX THAT'S UNDER THE HOOD. I ASKED TO SEE THE OLD PART AND THE PERSON AT THE PARTS COUNTER STATED THAT THEY CHANGED (3) THREE OF THEM TODAY,.. THAT'S VERY SAD TO HEAR FOR US DODGE OWNERS. *TR
TRUCK STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. TRUCK STALLS WHENEVER SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE DRIVE. RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER TRUCK. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND IS REPLACING IT AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PUMP. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. LOST ALL POWER TO STEERING AND WAS LUCKY TO GET STOPPED WITH OUT GETTING HURT. IT STARTED RIGHT UP LIKE NORMAL. FEW DAYS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. JUST PLAIN SCARY. *TR
I WAS CHANGING MY SPARK PLUGS(UPPER BANK).1 OF THE BOOTS (THAT IS BETWEEN THE COIL & PLUG) PULLED LOOSE & STAYED ON THE SPARK PLUG.HAD TO DIG IT OUT IN PIECES.(THE BOOT WAS FLUSHED TO THE SPARK PLUG)NO AUTO PARTS STORES WITHIN 20 MILES EVEN STOCKED THE BOOT.WENT TO & CALLED SEVERAL DODGE DEALERS.THEY ONLY SELL THE BOOT WITH THE…
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I WAS CHANGING MY SPARK PLUGS(UPPER BANK).1 OF THE BOOTS (THAT IS BETWEEN THE COIL & PLUG) PULLED LOOSE & STAYED ON THE SPARK PLUG.HAD TO DIG IT OUT IN PIECES.(THE BOOT WAS FLUSHED TO THE SPARK PLUG)NO AUTO PARTS STORES WITHIN 20 MILES EVEN STOCKED THE BOOT.WENT TO & CALLED SEVERAL DODGE DEALERS.THEY ONLY SELL THE BOOT WITH THE COIL(NOT JUST THE BOOT) $65.00.THIS IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR & UNACCEPTABLE. I STAYED AWAY FROM DODGES FOR YEARS BECAUSE OF THEIR BAD PRODUCTS.SEEMS NOTHING HAS CHANGED.VERY DISAPPOINTED. DODGE DROPS THE BALL AGAIN.NOT SATISFIED AT ALL.IF THESE PEOPLE MISS THINGS THIS SIMPLE WOW I DON'T EVEN WHAT TO GO THERE. *TR
AFTER A COUPLE REPAIRS ON SAME PROBLEM, I WAS DRIVING TO GO SHOPPING WHEN ETC BOLT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS LETTING OFF GAS TO SLOW DOWN SO I COULD TRY SHUTTING TRUCK OFF TO RESET COMPUTER SO I COULD GET IT TO DEALER. WHEN I LET OFF GAS THE TRUCK WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN SO I HELD BRAKE DOWN AND LET UP ON B…
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AFTER A COUPLE REPAIRS ON SAME PROBLEM, I WAS DRIVING TO GO SHOPPING WHEN ETC BOLT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS LETTING OFF GAS TO SLOW DOWN SO I COULD TRY SHUTTING TRUCK OFF TO RESET COMPUTER SO I COULD GET IT TO DEALER. WHEN I LET OFF GAS THE TRUCK WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN SO I HELD BRAKE DOWN AND LET UP ON BRAKE TO INCH FORWARD TO GET ALL THE WAY OFF ROAD WHEN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN LIKE IT WAS FLOORED. I STOPPED AND PUT IT IN PARK. IN PARK THE ENGINE WAS RACING AT 3000 RPM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAULTY SYSTEM.I HAD TAKEN IT TO DEALER AND THEY RESET IT SAYING WHEN THEY CALLED FACTORY THEY WERE TOLD TO RESET IT. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN MAY BE WIRE HARNESS. I HAVE TAKEN TIME TO FILE THESE COMPLAINTS AS I FEEL THIS IS A DEADLY ISSUE. THESE TRUCKS HAVE CHILDREN RIDING IN THEM AND IN OTHER CARS THAT MAY COLLIDE WITH THEM. PLEASE RESEARCH THE WIRELESS DRIVE ON THE DODGE RAM 2011. *TR
AFTER HAVING THE GAS PEDAL REPLACED A FEW MONTHS LATER, NOW 4/11/2013 THE ETC BOLT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT CITY SPEEDS AS I SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC , WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE TRUCK SPEED UP VERY FAST WITHOUT EVER USING CRUISE CONTROL OR TOUCHING THE GAS. I ALMOST RAN A RED LIGHT, HAD TO SMASH THE BRAKE DOWN HOLDI…
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AFTER HAVING THE GAS PEDAL REPLACED A FEW MONTHS LATER, NOW 4/11/2013 THE ETC BOLT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT CITY SPEEDS AS I SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC , WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE TRUCK SPEED UP VERY FAST WITHOUT EVER USING CRUISE CONTROL OR TOUCHING THE GAS. I ALMOST RAN A RED LIGHT, HAD TO SMASH THE BRAKE DOWN HOLDING STEERING WHEEL TIGHT TO STOP THE TRUCK AFTER TURNING KEY OFF. I THEN RESTARTED IT I PUT IT IN DRIVE. WHEN I LET OFF BRAKE THE TRUCK TOOK OFF LIKE HECK, ALMOST LIKE IT WAS FLOORED ON ITS OWN. THE CAR DEALER CALLED THE FOR ADVICE ON THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. THEY THEN REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS THE DEALERS FAULT, I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT IN THE WIRELESS DRIVE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BUILDER AND RECALLED. *TR
I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS WITH ENGINE AND ETC BOLT LIGHT ON DASH, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GO IN LIMP MODE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT THE TRUCK HAD TO BE RESET. ON SEPT 21/2012 THE ETC BOLT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN FOR TRAFFIC USING THE BRAKE I …
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I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS WITH ENGINE AND ETC BOLT LIGHT ON DASH, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GO IN LIMP MODE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT THE TRUCK HAD TO BE RESET. ON SEPT 21/2012 THE ETC BOLT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN FOR TRAFFIC USING THE BRAKE I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND BEFORE I COULD DO ANYTHING THE TRUCK RACED OFF ON ITS OWN ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING THE GAS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. I TURNED OFF KEY AND DANGEROUSLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND RE STARTED THE TRUCK. AT THIS POINT I HAD ONLY ENGINE LIGHT SO I TOOK IT TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED GAS PEDAL AND RESET IT. THE TRUCK ALWAYS SCARED ME AFTER THIS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A GREAT DANGER WITH THE NEW WIRELESS DRIVE SYSTEM.THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BUY THE BUILDER OF THIS TRUCK. *TR
AFTER PASSING A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN.THE ENGINE CUT OFF ,DASH LIGHTS AND PARK LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER ERRATICALLY AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. I MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO STOP THE LIGHTS FROM FLICKERING I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY (THEY FLICKERED WITH THE S…
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AFTER PASSING A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN.THE ENGINE CUT OFF ,DASH LIGHTS AND PARK LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER ERRATICALLY AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. I MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO STOP THE LIGHTS FROM FLICKERING I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY (THEY FLICKERED WITH THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION). AS THE LIGHTS FLICKERED I COULD HEAR RELAYS CLICKING UNDER THE HOOD AND DASH. AFTER WAITING A WHILE I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ALL SYSTEMS CAME BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE TRUCK AND DRIVE IT HOME. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK IT OUT UNTIL WED THE 18. ALL SYSTEMS SEEM TO BE NORMAL. I HAVE TO GO TO WORK . I' M DRIVING IT 60 MILES ROUND TRIP EVERYDAY. *TR
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.
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