ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION VALVES CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO ENG. HAVE TO REPLACE ENG
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.
Power Train complaints
175 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. FIRKINS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN BRADENTON, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. FIRKINS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN BRADENTON, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIS LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
THE MANIFOLD STUD BOLTS ARE BREAKING OFF IN THE HEAD MOST COMMONLY WITH 7 AND 8 CYLINDER...CAUSE A HORRUBLE EXHAUST LEAK AND CAUSING THE MANIFOLD TO WORP AND CRACK
"TAKATA RECALL " FIRST BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 2015. 2ND DAY I HAD IT ALMOST COUGHT ON FIRE 78000 MILES SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BATTERY. 2017 99000 MILES LIFTERS ARE TICKING AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO START IT FREAKS OUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IF YOU TRY AND START IT ALL THE LIGHTS FLASH THEN IT'S GOOD FOR A MONTH
I HAVE A LOUD WHINING AN NOW IS A LOUD GROWLING IN DIFFERENTIAL OR REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT ALL SPEEDS. I SAW ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2009 THRU 2012 DODGE RAM TRUCKS 1500 SERIES. SUPPOSEDLY CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED THESE TRUCKS BUT TWO CALLS TO CHRYSLER TODAY APRIL 13, 2017 THEY ADVISED ME THERE ARE NO REC…
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I HAVE A LOUD WHINING AN NOW IS A LOUD GROWLING IN DIFFERENTIAL OR REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT ALL SPEEDS. I SAW ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2009 THRU 2012 DODGE RAM TRUCKS 1500 SERIES. SUPPOSEDLY CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED THESE TRUCKS BUT TWO CALLS TO CHRYSLER TODAY APRIL 13, 2017 THEY ADVISED ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON REAR WHEEL BEARINGS OR DIFFERENTIALS. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE A LOCK UP OF THE REAR GEARS AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE ME AT EMAIL [XXX] OR PHONE [XXX] I HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL I HEAR FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT AS I DO NOT WANT TO HURT ANYONE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,968.
THE TRUCK BURNS THROUGH OIL AT A HIGH RATE AND AFTER IT DOES THEIR IS NO LOW OIL LIGHT BEING TURNED ON BY THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK RAN HOT AND MADE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR FAIL. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BURN EVEN MORE AND CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND SENSOR FAILURE WHICH IS NOT COVER BY WARRANTIES. THE LAST TIME IN A MONTH IT BURNE…
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THE TRUCK BURNS THROUGH OIL AT A HIGH RATE AND AFTER IT DOES THEIR IS NO LOW OIL LIGHT BEING TURNED ON BY THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK RAN HOT AND MADE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR FAIL. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BURN EVEN MORE AND CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AND SENSOR FAILURE WHICH IS NOT COVER BY WARRANTIES. THE LAST TIME IN A MONTH IT BURNED THROUGH 4 QUARTS, THE DEALER SAID IF THEY DO NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG THEY WOULD CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I HAVE HAD MANY OLD DODGE TRUCKS AND EVEN A 2007 RAM WHICH ALWAYS HAD OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND THAT NEVER BURNED THROUGH SO MUCH OIL. THIS HAPPENS AS I DRIVE AND NEVER ONCE DOES IT SAY LOW OIL, THE ONLY REASON I FIGURED IT OUT IS I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINE AND OBSERVED THE OIL PRESSURE DROP DOWN TO 14PS ON THE TRUCKS INFORMATION CONSOL. ALSO THE TRUCK HAD GONE INTO A MODE WHERE THE THROTTLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT. ALL THIS HAPPENS AT THE SAME TIME AND IF IT HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY MAY CAUSE A CRASH BECAUSE THE TRUCK DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY ALONG WITH NO OIL THE ENGINE WILL FAIL.
MY TRUCK STARTED OUT WITH A DEAD BATTERY WHICH I REPLACED AND IT STARTED IN 9/16. AROUND 12/17/16 I WAS PARKED IN MY TRUCK TALKING TO MY NEIGHBOR WHEN I DECIDED TO TURNOFF TRUCK AND GET OUT OF TRUCK. I TURNED THE KEYFOB TO OFF POSITION ONLY TO HAVE IT STAY RUNNING, I THAN TURNED KEYFOB BACK TO ON POSITION THAN BACK OFF WHERE IT …
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MY TRUCK STARTED OUT WITH A DEAD BATTERY WHICH I REPLACED AND IT STARTED IN 9/16. AROUND 12/17/16 I WAS PARKED IN MY TRUCK TALKING TO MY NEIGHBOR WHEN I DECIDED TO TURNOFF TRUCK AND GET OUT OF TRUCK. I TURNED THE KEYFOB TO OFF POSITION ONLY TO HAVE IT STAY RUNNING, I THAN TURNED KEYFOB BACK TO ON POSITION THAN BACK OFF WHERE IT SHUT OFF. I PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY SAME DAY AND THAN THE KEYFOB STUCK IN OFF POSITION WITH TRUCK STILL RUNNING. MY HUSBAND GO IN IT AND STARTED TO FOOL AROUND WITH IT PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL THAN PARK THAN REVERSE AND IT FINALLY CAME OUT. 1/11/ 17 I STARTED TRUCK NOTICED TIPM LIGHT ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON. I PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE TIPM LIGHT WENT OUT BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME I WAS DRIVING IT. THEN I GOT HOME AND THE KEY LITERAL FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING IT AND I LOST ALL POWER. WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME TO MY RESCUE THE TRUCK STARTED JUST FINE AND HE DROVE IT HOME ONLY TO HAVE TURNED THE KEYFOB TO OFF POSITION AND PULL OUT THE KEYFOB AND HAVE THE TRUCK STILL RUNNING. HE HAD TO PULL THE 5AMP #27 FUSE AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO TURN IT OFF. BROUGHT TO DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD NO RECALL ISSUES, THAT THEY THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DUE WITH MY AFTER MARKET STEREO THAT WAS PUT IN OVER 5 YEARS AGO. THE ADVISOR CALLED ME AFTER HAVING TO TRUCK FOR 3 DAY TO TELL ME TECH NEEDS ANOTHER 4 HOURS WITH IT AND IT WAS GOING TO BE 600.00 ONTOP OF THE 150.00 I ALREADY OWED . I ASKED TO SPEAK TO MANAGER WHO COULD NOT TELL ME THAT THEY RULED ANYTHING ELSE OUT WOULD NOT EVEN GIVE ME A PRINTOUT OF WHAT WAS DONE. I ASKED ABOUT THE TIPM AND HE LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS CRAZY. I WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE OUT WITH NO REPAIRS AND TOLD THEM IF I CRASH AND KILL SOMEONE OR MYSELF THEIR HEADS ARE GOING TO ROLL, THIS IS DEFINITELY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND THEN FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. .....UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF *CN
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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