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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

What owners actually said

688 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

Car turned off while driving

NHTSA ODI #11579485

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

Truck has a faulty fuel pump relay which causes the pump to run constantly or not at all. This can cause the vehicle not to start, or to not perform correctly while driving and potentially cause accidents. This is a known issue among mechanics and there are a couple of bypass methods to fix - the relay is not serviceable being …

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Truck has a faulty fuel pump relay which causes the pump to run constantly or not at all. This can cause the vehicle not to start, or to not perform correctly while driving and potentially cause accidents. This is a known issue among mechanics and there are a couple of bypass methods to fix - the relay is not serviceable being located in the TIPM. No warnings are associated with this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11570261

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

153,000 miles · Jan 23, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2011 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to Meineke where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent me…

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The contact owns a 2011 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to Meineke where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed integrated power module (TIPM). The contact was informed that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #11567268

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2024
Suspension

Rear axle spindle started to grind then locked up and ripped assembly housing apart. Recall on certain trucks of same year same model

NHTSA ODI #11565266

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Electrical System

My truck stalled on I26 in Johnson City; I was able to get to the shoulder and was able to get it started again, and it seemed to work ok. After that I started having issues with it not starting, but if I turned the key off, and tried again it would start. I searched the internet and found that the TIPM module in this model truc…

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My truck stalled on I26 in Johnson City; I was able to get to the shoulder and was able to get it started again, and it seemed to work ok. After that I started having issues with it not starting, but if I turned the key off, and tried again it would start. I searched the internet and found that the TIPM module in this model truck is the culprit for this issue and that there is a "work around that is sold on EBAY and other sites where the fuel pump relay is bypassed by using a wire and providing power to the fuel pump from the battery voltage of the ACC side of the switch. Last week I turned the truck off, and all electrical functions stopped working it was as if my battery was gone. After another internet search, this issue leads back to the TIPM module and to my surprise I found a recall 14V115 on the 2011 2012Dodge Durango and Jeep for the exact same issues that I am experiencing with my truck. As I continued to search, I found MANY repair facilities that can "fix" this problem in their shops. I believe based on what I have been told that this TIPM is the same for the RAM truck series also. Can you please let me know why DODGE RAM has not added this model to their recall; I talked to their customer recall support and the answer I got was I'm sorry sir, but your model truck isn't covered under that recall # it is the Durango and Jeep models only; and that was it. Thanks for your investigation into this matter for all of the RAM owners out there. Be safe on the road and thank you for watching out for the consumer.

NHTSA ODI #11563062

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to…

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This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to cross an intersection, I lost all steering control and the truck shut down mid turn in the middle of the intersection. This left the truck immobilized in the intersection and facing into oncoming traffic. Following each incident, I put the truck in park and restart it as if there was no issue. There are no warning lights that appear prior to any of the incidents that would indicate an issue and the instrument panel goes dark each time the issue occurs. This is going to get me and/or my family killed one of these days. I have researched this online and there are countless reports from other 2011 Ram owners experiencing the same exact issue. How has a safety recall not been issued for this?

NHTSA ODI #11560553

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Cranks but don’t start at times. After doing lots of research I think the tipm is going out and will leave me stranded. Repair shop cannot find a problem

NHTSA ODI #11557290

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2023
Electrical System

TIPM... Integrated Fuel Pump Relay, intermittent condition causes the truck to stall this is a common complaint and a significant cost to repair. Vehicle hard starts and stalls several times during inclement weather / cold starts and is an active concern while driving the vehicle. Fuel pump relay bypass is the only affordable fi…

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TIPM... Integrated Fuel Pump Relay, intermittent condition causes the truck to stall this is a common complaint and a significant cost to repair. Vehicle hard starts and stalls several times during inclement weather / cold starts and is an active concern while driving the vehicle. Fuel pump relay bypass is the only affordable fix as the relay is connected directly to the TIPM. No warning lights indicate any failure. Vehicle has been to dealer but due to the intermittent condition it was not repeatable at that time. This condition was investigated in 2014 but continues to be a problem. Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango both had recalls on this TIPM but due to the reporting statistics within NHTSA this vehicle was not included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI #11557226

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFire

Engine compartment caught fire while driving. Could not put out fire vehicle was total loss.

NHTSA ODI #11552154

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.