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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

Driving my vehicle throughout December of 2024 and the vehicle would die and power back up, vehicle would run intermittently and fail to continue operating while driving to and from work. Vehicle intermittently stalling during driving would cause "Near Miss" accidents on the road. Potentially endangering myself as the operator a…

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Driving my vehicle throughout December of 2024 and the vehicle would die and power back up, vehicle would run intermittently and fail to continue operating while driving to and from work. Vehicle intermittently stalling during driving would cause "Near Miss" accidents on the road. Potentially endangering myself as the operator and other operators on the road due to a "no start" issue and unsafe operating condition in the electrical system of the vehicle. I thought it was a bad battery so I replaced it with a brand new battery from the auto parts store While I struggled to have this matter resolved before leaving for Army Active Duty. I arranged to have the vehicle turned into a Chrysler, Dodge, Ram dealer to have a diagnostic done on the vehicle. on June 6th according to their technicians report, it shows my TIPM is bad. and needed to be replaced. The dealer failed to acknowledge this was a recall issue and would not cover the repair cost since the vehicle was out of warranty due to mileage and age. when their our hundreds of models being turned in for the same issue nationwide.

NHTSA ODI #11679997

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2022
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

The vehicle's fuel pump continues to run even when the vehicle is turned off causing the overheating of electrical wiring and draining the battery, it's a serious issue and a fire hazard that will set the fuel tank on fire, I filed a complaint back in June and no action has been taken.

NHTSA ODI #11493614

115,850 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

CURRENTLY HAS A HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION THAT IS PUTTING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK. IN THE SPAN OF 2 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY "LOCK" UP WHILE IN DRIVE ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNNY AND CLEAR, NOT TOO BRIGHT, NOT TOO WINDY OR WET AT ALL, NO FOG) WHEN PERFORMING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROPRIATE TURN …

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CURRENTLY HAS A HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION THAT IS PUTTING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK. IN THE SPAN OF 2 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY "LOCK" UP WHILE IN DRIVE ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNNY AND CLEAR, NOT TOO BRIGHT, NOT TOO WINDY OR WET AT ALL, NO FOG) WHEN PERFORMING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROPRIATE TURN SPEEDS. YOU WOULD BE UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF HARM'S WAY WHEN THE WHEEL TENSES AND LOCKS UP COMPLETELY LIKE THIS. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THIS ISSUE WAS TURNING ON A RIGHT LANE WITH YOUR OWN PROTECTED LANE AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE TURN. IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I EASED MY FOOT FORCIBLY ONTO THE BRAKE SO THAT I COULD AVOID BRAKING TOO HARD AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN OUT OR WORSE, HITTING THE POLE THAT IS DIRECTLY 200 FEET AWAY (APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 35MPN AND BRAKE REACTION TIME WAS 2 SECONDS, ACCOUNTING FOR INITIAL NOTICE OF THE SUDDEN TENSION AND LOSS OF COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK'S STEERING.). THE SECOND ENCOUNTER OCCURRED WITHIN A 2 MONTH SPAN, THIS TIME CAREFULLY APPROACHING A STREET INTERSECTION. I FORTUNATELY REALIZED WHAT WAS OCCURRING AND TRIED TO MOVE FAR RIGHT AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY BUT I COULD ONLY MAINTAIN MY APPROPRIATE LANE. AT FIRST I COULD NOT TAKE OUT THE KEY OR TURN IT ON OR OFF. IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE TO MY REALIZATION. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE TRUCK BACK ON AND CONTINUE MY WAY TO WORK. HOWEVER, I COULD ONLY BE PARANOID THAT THIS COULD OCCUR TO ME UNDER MORE SEVERE OR WORSE CONDITIONS LIKE RAIN OR FOG. WHAT IF THIS MALFUNCTION WERE TO OCCUR TO ME IF I WAS ON A VERY ELEVATED HIGHWAY OR HAD SOMEONE TAILING ME AT THAT VERY INSTANCE?

NHTSA ODI #11302894

145,000 miles · Feb 12, 2019
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL I STOP AT STOP SIGN MADE A RIGHT TURN THE TRUCK WENT IN HIGH SPEED ON ITS OWN DOWN HILL ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING UP IN MY LANE I BRAKE HARD AS I COULD TRYING TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HITS ME PUSHES THE TRUCK INTO A LIGHT POLE TO MY RIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SRIOUS HURT …

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TAKATA RECALL I STOP AT STOP SIGN MADE A RIGHT TURN THE TRUCK WENT IN HIGH SPEED ON ITS OWN DOWN HILL ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING UP IN MY LANE I BRAKE HARD AS I COULD TRYING TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HITS ME PUSHES THE TRUCK INTO A LIGHT POLE TO MY RIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SRIOUS HURT ARE A PASSENGER. THESE TRUCKS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #11176444

145,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL MY TRUCK SWITCH INTO HIGH SPEED GEAR SPEEDED UP MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH STERRING BECAME HARD TO CONTROL IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET

NHTSA ODI #11175133

85,000 miles · Jan 20, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING IN THE NO.1 CYLINDER AND VIOLENTLY SHAKING, VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE NEARLY CAUSING ME TO BE REAR ENDED. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND DEFECTIVE LIFTERS AND CAMSHAFT WERE FOUND, WITH ONLY 85K MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. DID RESEARCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR THE 5.7 ENGINES, DEF…

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ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING IN THE NO.1 CYLINDER AND VIOLENTLY SHAKING, VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE NEARLY CAUSING ME TO BE REAR ENDED. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND DEFECTIVE LIFTERS AND CAMSHAFT WERE FOUND, WITH ONLY 85K MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. DID RESEARCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR THE 5.7 ENGINES, DEFINITELY NEEDS INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI #11171033

40,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING TO APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING TO APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE REVVED EVEN THOUGH THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A ROLLING STOP WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO SELL THE CONTACT A NEW VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10838497

65,000 miles · Dec 30, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

2011 DODGE RAM 1500 ACCELERATION ISSUES ACCELERATE TO VERY HIGH SPEED AND WILL NOT RELEASE, PUT IN NEUTRAL AND PUMP BRAKES MANY TIMES TO GET TO RELEASE, GETS ACCELERATING AT TIMES AND WILL NOT RELEASE HAPPENED 4 TIMES RETURNING HOME WITH GIRL FRIEND 12/26/15. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10817120

39,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT NORMAL BRIGHTNESS (COMPARED TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN) AND INEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS AND DISCONNECTS AT WILL. HORN SIGNALS AT WILL WITHOUT NOTICE AND EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH KEYS REMOVED. CAUSES GREAT AND FRIGHTENING REACTION OF THIS DRIVER AS WELL AS THOSE AROU…

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HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT NORMAL BRIGHTNESS (COMPARED TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN) AND INEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS AND DISCONNECTS AT WILL. HORN SIGNALS AT WILL WITHOUT NOTICE AND EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH KEYS REMOVED. CAUSES GREAT AND FRIGHTENING REACTION OF THIS DRIVER AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME.

NHTSA ODI #10786909

79,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE'S TIPM SYSTEM STOPPED WORKED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IT WAS REPAIRED AND THIS ISSUE HAS PLAGUED OTHER CHYSLER PRODUCTS. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10749367

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.