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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.

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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

Structure complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 23, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

The gas tank fell onto the road while driving to pick up my daughter from the bus. I immediately pulled over due to the sound. I then saw the front of the gas tank on the ground , half a mile down the road I was traveling there are alot of pit holes and that could of ended in a fire or worse with my tank dragging the ground. I h…

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The gas tank fell onto the road while driving to pick up my daughter from the bus. I immediately pulled over due to the sound. I then saw the front of the gas tank on the ground , half a mile down the road I was traveling there are alot of pit holes and that could of ended in a fire or worse with my tank dragging the ground. I have taken it to the dealership that would help repair the recall but they have yet to repair or give me information about what the manufacturer has said on what to do. They told me it is to rusty underneath to repair and contacted manufacturer. I am without a vehicle its been almost 2 weeks and I have a 6 year old child and my own health issues that inquire dr appointments. I have no money for a rental and no family or friends who can help with rides. I am unsure of what to do next I just know this is extremely frustrating considering I had purchased this vehicle only a few months ago.

NHTSA ODI #11662759

100,000 miles · Jan 26, 2024
Electrical SystemStructure

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle with the key fob, the doors would unlock independently, and the windows would roll down independently. The contact also stated that the front driver's side window had f…

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The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle with the key fob, the doors would unlock independently, and the windows would roll down independently. The contact also stated that the front driver's side window had failed to roll down while using the power window switch. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that he had noticed moisture in the storage compartments underneath the rear passenger's side and rear driver's side seats. The contact stated that he also noticed that the rear driver's side floorboard was wet. The contact stated that upon retrieving items from the storage compartment underneath the rear passenger's side seat, he noticed that there was approximately 1-inch of water in the storage compartment and there was mold behind the rear passenger's side seat. The contact stated that he vacuumed out the water out with a hose, and then used a towel. Additionally, the contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle after it had rained the following day, he noticed that there was water in the storage compartments underneath the rear driver's side and passenger's side seats. The contact also noticed that the floorboard on the rear driver's side and passenger's side was significantly wet, and there was a water mark on the ceiling. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11567983

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2022
Structure

The tailgate fell open when accelerating after stopping at a stoplight. It had been securely closed for 4 hours of driving without stopping with no interaction.

NHTSA ODI #11498302

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2022
Structure

Tailgate randomly unlocks and opens while vehicle is in motion. Cargo comes out. The dealer was shown the defective locking mechanism and refused to repair it.

NHTSA ODI #11497965

118,000 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Structure

OUR 2011 RAM 1500 HAS RUST UNDER THE PAINT, BUBBLING IT UP, UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR RIGHT ON/ABOVE THE ROCKER PANEL. THE ACTUAL DOOR IS NOT AFFECTED AND APPEARS TO BE RUST FREE, IT IS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK THAT IS AFFECTED. WE NOTICED THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS. I CALLED …

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OUR 2011 RAM 1500 HAS RUST UNDER THE PAINT, BUBBLING IT UP, UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR RIGHT ON/ABOVE THE ROCKER PANEL. THE ACTUAL DOOR IS NOT AFFECTED AND APPEARS TO BE RUST FREE, IT IS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK THAT IS AFFECTED. WE NOTICED THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS. I CALLED AN AUTO BODY REPAIR PLACE AND THE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH DOGE TRUCKS BECAUSE THE PANELS ARE NOT WELDED TOGETHER ANY LONGER, BUT ARE NOT BONDED TOGETHER WITH SOME KIND OF INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH ADHESIVE WHICH THEN CAUSES MOISTURE TO BE UNABLE TO ESCAPE, WHICH CAUSES RUST. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND FAULTY DESIGN AND TO CONTACT DODGE TO SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUE TO THERE BEING NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. A GENTLEMAN FROM THE FCA INSTRUCTED ME TO COME HERE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THOUGH THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LISTED, THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS NO RISK OF INJURY CONSIDERED, BUT FOR ME THE RUST IS ON THE ROCKER PANEL, WHICH IS STRUCTURAL, AND IS A RISK IF IT WEAKENS. ALSO, THE GENTLEMAN AT THE FCA AGREED WITH ME THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING, SO IT WOULD ONLY BE GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE FOR DODGE TO COVER THE EXPENSES AND WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE IT CAN AND HAS PUT PEOPLE IN DANGER. THE COMPLAINTS ARE OUT THERE, AND I BELIEVE RUST ABSOLUTELY POSES RISK OF INJURY, AND I ALSO BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. OUR VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN REGISTERED IN A STATE WHERE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND SALT BRINE FOR THE ROADS WAS REGULAR, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED NEAR THE BEACH. WE LIVE IN THE PIEDMONT AREA OF SC AND EVERY TIME WE RETURN FROM THE BEACH WE THOROUGHLY WASH IT. RUST SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE. DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATE THAT WE FIRST NOTICED

NHTSA ODI #11363213

62,000 miles · Apr 5, 2020
Structure

MY TAILGATE HAS OPENED BY ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES I'VE SEEN IT WITH MY EYES AND THE LAST TIME WE WERE PULLING A TRAILER IT OPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THIS IS WHAT I'M LEFT WITH A RUINED TAILGATE WHERE WE CAN'T EVEN OPEN IT TO USE IT. I'M FURIOUS! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN - MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST

NHTSA ODI #11320275

80,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAM LEMAN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF PEORIA (309-692-1801, LOCATED AT 1801 W PIONEER PKWY, PEORIA, IL 61615) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAM LEMAN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF PEORIA (309-692-1801, LOCATED AT 1801 W PIONEER PKWY, PEORIA, IL 61615) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11254479

113,000 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS ON THE VEHICLE'S DOORS WERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ROCKER PANELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS ON THE VEHICLE'S DOORS WERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ROCKER PANELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11170817

57,768 miles · Mar 30, 2018
Structure

DURING A PA STATE INSPECTION THEY FOUND ONE OF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS HAD PULLED OUT OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME HAD RUSTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE STRAP USE TO BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THIS LEFT THE TANK WITH 150LBS OF GASOLINE IN IT HANGING BY ONE STRAP, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF THE TANK FELL OUT AND BECAME WED…

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DURING A PA STATE INSPECTION THEY FOUND ONE OF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS HAD PULLED OUT OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME HAD RUSTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE STRAP USE TO BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THIS LEFT THE TANK WITH 150LBS OF GASOLINE IN IT HANGING BY ONE STRAP, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF THE TANK FELL OUT AND BECAME WEDGED UNDER THE AXLE. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $650 TO HAVE THE FRAME WELDED. VEHICLE IS A 2011 WITH 57K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11082133

151,000 miles · Nov 16, 2017
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE FACTORY INSTALLED "DODGE" STEP BAR FELL OFF THE TRUCK AS MY 90LBS. DAUGHTER STEPPED IN. AS HER & THE STEP BAR WENT CRASHING TO THE GROUND SHE BANGED HER ELBOW REALLY HARD ON THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER. COMPONENT IS HELD TO THE INNER ROCKER PANEL OF THE TRUCKS CAB WITH 6 EXPANDING RIVET NUTS THAT HAVE VERY LITTLE SUR…

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PASSENGER SIDE FACTORY INSTALLED "DODGE" STEP BAR FELL OFF THE TRUCK AS MY 90LBS. DAUGHTER STEPPED IN. AS HER & THE STEP BAR WENT CRASHING TO THE GROUND SHE BANGED HER ELBOW REALLY HARD ON THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER. COMPONENT IS HELD TO THE INNER ROCKER PANEL OF THE TRUCKS CAB WITH 6 EXPANDING RIVET NUTS THAT HAVE VERY LITTLE SURFACE CONTACT AREA. IT APPEARS THAT THE STEEL OF THE INNER ROCKER HAS FATIGUED OVER TIME & CRACKED. THE CRACKS ALLOWED THE METAL TO CONICALLY DEFORM TO THE POINT WHERE THE RIVET NUTS WERE ABLE TO POP OUT OF THE BODY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF IT HAD BEEN AN ELDERLY PERSON ON THE STEP BAR INSTEAD OF A RESILIENT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUNGSTER.

NHTSA ODI #11046488

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.