MOTOR NEEDED REPLACED THEN CAM SENSOR THEN CRANK SENSOR NOW ENGINE WIRING & SENSOR FLUID TEMPERATURE & MODULE POWERTRAIN CO DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE SINCE 10/10/16 MOTOR OVER HEATED HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD GOT VEHICLE BACK AFTER PAYING FOR NEW ENGINE GOT BACK THEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER STALLED EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING. *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.
Power Train complaints
175 reportsWHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED, ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. DURING UP HILL CITY DRIVING, ENGINE WILL NOT MAINTAIN CONSTANT RPM OR SMOOTH ACCELERATION. IT TAKE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. *TR
FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. LOTS OF PLAY IN THE STEERING AND A CLUNK WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND IF IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL. THEY SAID THE STERING GEAR AND INNER TIE RODS ARE BAD AND THE FRONT HUBS ARE MAKING NOISE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRU…
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FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. LOTS OF PLAY IN THE STEERING AND A CLUNK WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND IF IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL. THEY SAID THE STERING GEAR AND INNER TIE RODS ARE BAD AND THE FRONT HUBS ARE MAKING NOISE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT OFF ROAD OR DROVE IT HARD. IT IS USED FOR DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK. JUST FOR THE COST OF THOSE ITEMS THEY QUOTED ME $2312.99. I HAVE OWNED THREE DIFFERENT TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AND WITH SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THIS TRUCK FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE STEERING BEING SO LOOSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
AT 53,283 MILES A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS TIRE NOISE, BUT DETERMINED IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING RELATED TO THE REAR END DRIVE POWER TRAIN. AT 53,383 MILES I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THIS IS THE DEALER'S COMMENTS: "CUSTOMER STATES:C/S: …
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AT 53,283 MILES A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS TIRE NOISE, BUT DETERMINED IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING RELATED TO THE REAR END DRIVE POWER TRAIN. AT 53,383 MILES I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THIS IS THE DEALER'S COMMENTS: "CUSTOMER STATES:C/S: C/S THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END, MIGHT BE THE BARINGS. WENT ON ROAD TEST WITH SEAN F. HE CONFIRMED THERE IS A NOISE, POSSIBLE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND ITS SPEED RELATED. CHECK AND ADVISE OBSERVATIONS: VERIFIED NOISE FROM REAR END TEAR DOWN REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO DETERMINE FAILED COMPONENT. OBSERVATIONS: PINION BEARINGS FAILED CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR OF GEARS REBUILD REAR DIFFERENTIAL -$2,591.00." IF THE REAR END GEAR BOX HAD FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 75 MPH) IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE LED TO INJURIES OR DEATH. THIS COMPONENT FAILED AT 53% OF ITS DESIGN LIFE - 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS FIVE MONTHS BEYOND ITS 5 YEAR CALENDAR WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT WELL WITHIN ITS DESIGN RELIABILITY FOR SAFETY OF 100,000 MILES. I HAVE REQUESTED ALL PARTS BE PROPERLY MARKED AND TAG ALONG WITH ANY MAINTENANCE CHECKLISTS, PROCEDURE DOCUMENTS OR MANUFACTURER GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS USED IN CONDUCTING THE DIS-ASSEMBLY, INSPECTION, REPAIR AND RE-ASSEMBLY BE PROVIDED AS PART OF THE RECORD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYDAY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYDAY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,074.
I CALLED IN SINCE MY VEHICLE FELL INTO THE STATED RANGE FOR THE DODGE RAM RECALL. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE DATES MENTIONED I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ENTITLED TO REMEDIATION. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT MINE WAS NOT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ABSOLUTE PROOF THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP, AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE SERPENTINE BELT AND OTHER ATTACHING …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP, AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE SERPENTINE BELT AND OTHER ATTACHING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRES COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
IN A NUTSHELL,, MY TRUCK HAD ABOUT,,,14K MIKES ON IT. PURCHASED NEW. IT TOOK OFF IN EXESS OF 100MPH. COULDN'T STOP IT!!!!!!! ALMOST KILLED MY SON AND I!! HAVE BEEN FIGHTING, EVER SINCE TO GET CHRYSLER TO REPLACE THE MOTOR,, AS IT SOUNDS EVERY BEARING IN THE MOTOR,, WHEN I FINALLY PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEAUTRAL TO STOP THE TRUCK. T…
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IN A NUTSHELL,, MY TRUCK HAD ABOUT,,,14K MIKES ON IT. PURCHASED NEW. IT TOOK OFF IN EXESS OF 100MPH. COULDN'T STOP IT!!!!!!! ALMOST KILLED MY SON AND I!! HAVE BEEN FIGHTING, EVER SINCE TO GET CHRYSLER TO REPLACE THE MOTOR,, AS IT SOUNDS EVERY BEARING IN THE MOTOR,, WHEN I FINALLY PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEAUTRAL TO STOP THE TRUCK. TO DATE, THE TRUCK HAS A REARMAIN LEAK, BECAUSE OF INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE MOTOR. CHRYSLER, TRIED TO TAKE THE CHEAPER WAY OUT AND ONLY REPLACE A PART AT A TIME. IN DOING SO THIS,COST THEM WAY MORE $. MOTOR NO LONGER HAS A BEARING NOISE. BUT IT DOES HAVE A REARMAIN LEAK. THAT THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR 3XS SO FAR!! NOW,,,,, I'M STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPLACE THE MOTOR, OR TRY AGAIN??? LAST I KNEW THE GOSLDEN RULE WAS 3 XS AND URE OUT!!!! MY PATIENCE, IS GONE. THE TRUCK, HAS SPENT MOST OF ITS LIFE IN A DEALERS GARAGE. AND MOST OF ITS 40K MILES ARE FROM THE DEALERS TECH. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE EVERYTHING I SAY. ALL FROM THE DAY IT TOOK OFF ON ME. THE REAL PROBLEM IS..... WHY DID IT TAKE OFF? AND THE ANSWER TO THAT. I FIGURED OUT. WHO WANTS THAT INFO? CAUSE I HAVE FIGURED THAT OUT. IT TOOK 3 YRS. TO FIGURE OUT. IS ALL I WANT IS A NEW VEHICLE, AS I NEVER GOT TO ENJOY THAT. JUST COST ME ALOT OF TIME, AND $.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.
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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