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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

46 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Failure to start. Engine cranks but will not start. Remote start fails. Door locks sometimes do not work, Radio failures, engine stalls unexpectedly, TPM failure, SERV 4WD warning light is displayed sporadically. This was a recall on 2011 and 2012 Chrysler vehicles except the RAM. The RAM also has the same issues as the other r…

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Failure to start. Engine cranks but will not start. Remote start fails. Door locks sometimes do not work, Radio failures, engine stalls unexpectedly, TPM failure, SERV 4WD warning light is displayed sporadically. This was a recall on 2011 and 2012 Chrysler vehicles except the RAM. The RAM also has the same issues as the other recalled vehicles. Why was the Ram excluded from the recall?

NHTSA ODI #11601167

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MOTOR CRANKS BUT DOES NOT TURN OVER. TRY MULTIPLE TIMES FINALLY IT WILL START. JUMPED THE FUEL PUMP FUSE IN TIPM TO EMPTY SLOT AND IT STARTS NORMAL 50% OF THE TIME. READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AND HISTORY OF RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT THIS MODEL. UNACCEPTABLE. SLEW OF OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH T…

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MOTOR CRANKS BUT DOES NOT TURN OVER. TRY MULTIPLE TIMES FINALLY IT WILL START. JUMPED THE FUEL PUMP FUSE IN TIPM TO EMPTY SLOT AND IT STARTS NORMAL 50% OF THE TIME. READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AND HISTORY OF RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT THIS MODEL. UNACCEPTABLE. SLEW OF OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE: RADIO CHANGING STATIONS AND SAVING CURRENT STATION TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS WITHOUT TOUCHING SCREEN, POWER WINDOW SWITCHES STOP WORKING UNLESS UNPLUGGED THEN RECONNECTED FIRST, HEAD/TAIL/BACK-UP LIGHTS GOING OUT THEN BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11551457

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2022
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

My car had suddenly and without any warning broken down in the middle of the street, putting me and 2 other passengers at extremely high risk considering we were in a busy highway, which left us stuck in the car until we managed to run for safety to the side of the road. My Vehicle is a Doge Ram 2011 5.7 Liter V8 with 80K mile…

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My car had suddenly and without any warning broken down in the middle of the street, putting me and 2 other passengers at extremely high risk considering we were in a busy highway, which left us stuck in the car until we managed to run for safety to the side of the road. My Vehicle is a Doge Ram 2011 5.7 Liter V8 with 80K mileage. VIN# [XXX] The crash was caused by the Driveshaft completely separating and dragging on the asphalt, while the rear axle seized and resulted in a loss of power, and the rear differential to leak all the fluid. At first, I sent the car via a tow truck to an independent service center, which has been providing all the needed maintenance to my car for the past 5 years. In the process of trying to fix the vehicle and inspecting the issues which apparently turned out to be really expensive to fix ( Rear Differential $1400 used ). We discovered that there's a recall conducted on the vehicle from the manufacturer, that I didn't have any prior knowledge to related to this malfunction. Then I immediately took the vehicle to the nearby dealership, who acknowledged the recall at first only, but before conducting the repair they changed their minds and stated that I should've brought the car and fixed the undersized pinion shaft splines only and avoided the whole crash! Obviously I would've done that if I knew. To conclude: The vehicle crashed due to a safety issue that shouldn't be blamed on the customer. and the dealership (Advanced Automotive Trading Co) is refusing to address the exact detailed issue which they addressed in the recall description. and wouldn't take responsibility. PS: I'm an American living in Jordan, and I couldn't find anyone to really report my problem to here, that's why I'm submitting a complaint to NHTSA. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11469975

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2022
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I have read there is a rear differential recall and it is not listed on the recall list. I am worried my carrier bearing will fail possible causing severe damage possibly death.

NHTSA ODI #11469664

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

Wireless ignition node and key . Cave in will not work ,can not move truck stuck in park gear

NHTSA ODI #11453328

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2021
Unknown Or Other

CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO THE TIPM DEFECT REPORTED ON MANY CHRYSLER VEHICLES INCLUDING MY DODGE RAM 1500. IT HAS ALREADY CAUSED MY FUEL PUMP TO FAIL AND ALSO LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF RANDOMLY. AS EVERY ELECTRICAL FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE MUST FIRST GO THROUGH THE TIPM, INCLUDING ALL SAFETY SYST…

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CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO THE TIPM DEFECT REPORTED ON MANY CHRYSLER VEHICLES INCLUDING MY DODGE RAM 1500. IT HAS ALREADY CAUSED MY FUEL PUMP TO FAIL AND ALSO LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF RANDOMLY. AS EVERY ELECTRICAL FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE MUST FIRST GO THROUGH THE TIPM, INCLUDING ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS, THIS IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING1

NHTSA ODI #11428817

158,123 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN REPEATEDLY JUST TO GET IT TO CATCH SO IT'LL START. DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER I'M DRIVING DOWN THE STREET OR OUT ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK JUST TURNS OFF. I'VE HAD IT SHUT DOWN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, ON THE HIGHWAY WITH…

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THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN REPEATEDLY JUST TO GET IT TO CATCH SO IT'LL START. DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER I'M DRIVING DOWN THE STREET OR OUT ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK JUST TURNS OFF. I'VE HAD IT SHUT DOWN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, ON THE HIGHWAY WITH PEOPLE COMING UP ON ME GOING 70 MPH. I CALLED DODGE & THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 6-8 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I'M FINDING THAT A LITTLE HARD TO SWALLOW, SINCE I'VE DONE NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY CAUSE A WRECK

NHTSA ODI #11397457

118,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

ENGINE WOULD NOT START. ONCE STARTED WHILE DRIVING MOTOR WOULD SURGE LIKE NOT GETTING GAS AND ALMOST STALL. MECHANICS REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT WHILE DRIVING AND PARKING FOR DINNER ENGINE ONCE AGAIN WOULDNT START. MECHANICS STILL HAVENT RESOLVED ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11397266

6 miles · Oct 25, 2020
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH ALSO ON STREET ROAD AT 30 MPH . ALL POWER LOST VERY DANGEROUS . WHEN PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD VEHICLE RESTARTS. HAPPENS AFTER 20 MIS OF DRIVING AND AGAIN EVERY 10 MION

NHTSA ODI #11366277

277 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Unknown Or Other

ON 08/10/2020, WE TRADED IN OUR (ONLY CAR) ACURA VIN [XXX] AND GAVE $1500 CASH FOR A DEPOSIT AND STILL OUR $900 TOWARDS THE DEPOSIT. WE GOT A LOAN FOR A 2011 RAM 1500 AND WE WERE HAPPY UNTIL ON 08/15/2020. WE DROVE ON I 95 TO PICK UP A FEW BOXES FROM SAVANNAH GA. ON THE WAY BACK, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE FROM THE BACK AND FRONT …

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ON 08/10/2020, WE TRADED IN OUR (ONLY CAR) ACURA VIN [XXX] AND GAVE $1500 CASH FOR A DEPOSIT AND STILL OUR $900 TOWARDS THE DEPOSIT. WE GOT A LOAN FOR A 2011 RAM 1500 AND WE WERE HAPPY UNTIL ON 08/15/2020. WE DROVE ON I 95 TO PICK UP A FEW BOXES FROM SAVANNAH GA. ON THE WAY BACK, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE FROM THE BACK AND FRONT OF TRUCK. WE CALLED [XXX] , (WHILE STILL IN GEORGIA) THE WOMAN WHO SOLD US THE TRUCK. [XXX] TOLD US THAT SHE COULDN'T PROMISE US ANYTHING AND TO WAIT FOR THE CALL BACK. AS OF TODAY 8/26/2020, [XXX] HAS NOT CALLED US BACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11351380

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.