Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
860–25K
6725–50K
8750–75K
7975–100K
139100–150K
33150K+
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 · Aug 17, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIS LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11016021
36,000 miles · Aug 16, 2017
EnginePower Train
THE MANIFOLD STUD BOLTS ARE BREAKING OFF IN THE HEAD MOST COMMONLY WITH 7 AND 8 CYLINDER...CAUSE A HORRUBLE EXHAUST LEAK AND CAUSING THE MANIFOLD TO WORP AND CRACK
NHTSA ODI #11015617
107,784 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
RAKATA RECALL. DOES NOT WANT CRANK TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT CRANK SETTING STILL RE SET THE COMPUTER WILL CRANK SOME TIMES 107784 MILES
NHTSA ODI #11012572
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2017
Seats
THE MEMORY SEAT "FRAME" HAS CRACKED AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE ISSUE DOES NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO AUTO OR SELF ADJUST. CURRENTLY CRACKED PARTS AND PHOTO OF SAME ARE UNKNOWN UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP GETS TO REPAIRING THE ISSUE.....WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. REPORTED ON AUGU…
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THE MEMORY SEAT "FRAME" HAS CRACKED AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE ISSUE DOES NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO AUTO OR SELF ADJUST. CURRENTLY CRACKED PARTS AND PHOTO OF SAME ARE UNKNOWN UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP GETS TO REPAIRING THE ISSUE.....WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. REPORTED ON AUGUST 2, 2017.
NHTSA ODI #11012379
79,500 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER (SHUT OFF/STALLED) WHILE IN MOTION ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS; 1ST TIME VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 80MPH ON FREEWAY; BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER FUNCTION MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER TO EMERGENCY SHOULDER AND AVOID POSSIBLE COLLISION; EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION; 2ND TIME VEHICLE W…
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VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER (SHUT OFF/STALLED) WHILE IN MOTION ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS; 1ST TIME VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 80MPH ON FREEWAY; BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER FUNCTION MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER TO EMERGENCY SHOULDER AND AVOID POSSIBLE COLLISION; EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION; 2ND TIME VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING FROM STOP TO APPROXIMATELY 20MPH ON CITY STREET THEN LOST ALL POWER, HAD TO COAST VEHICLE ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF BUS LANE; VEHICLE WAS NOT OUT OF GAS, NO MALFUNCTION INDICATORS WERE ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT START (AS IF FUEL PUMP FAILED) TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OR ANY SPEED AND LOSING ALL POWER IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. ADDING THAT MOST PROBABLY TOW TRAILERS, ETC...MAKES THIS EVEN MORE HAZARDOUS. ALSO, WE ARE IN AZ WITH EXTREME HEAT, TRAVELING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN, AND TO BE RANDOMLY STRANDED WITH ZERO POWER CAUSES ADDITIONAL LIFE THREATENING HAZARDS I PERSONALLY REQUEST, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND FINDING AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED AND THOSE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY WAY OF REQUIRED RECALL AND RESOLUTION
NHTSA ODI #11004988
99,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FUNCTION AGAIN AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FUNCTION AGAIN AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (ACADEMY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT 5080 ACADEMY LN, BESSEMER, AL 35022, (205) 545-8052) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10994023
141,500 miles · Jun 6, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
ITS A SIN AND A SHAME THAT THESE BRIGHT MINDS WENT AWAY FROM THE STANDARD I PIECE RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX TO THIS COMPUTER MESS EVERY MORNING I GO TO WORK AT 4 AM AND I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY ON AND LET IT SIT FOR 10 TO 15 MIN BEFORE IT WILL START AND THEN DURING THE DAY IF I LET IT SIT FOR MORE THAT AN 1 HR I HAVE TO LET IT SIT ANO…
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ITS A SIN AND A SHAME THAT THESE BRIGHT MINDS WENT AWAY FROM THE STANDARD I PIECE RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX TO THIS COMPUTER MESS EVERY MORNING I GO TO WORK AT 4 AM AND I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY ON AND LET IT SIT FOR 10 TO 15 MIN BEFORE IT WILL START AND THEN DURING THE DAY IF I LET IT SIT FOR MORE THAT AN 1 HR I HAVE TO LET IT SIT ANOTHER 15 MIN BEFORE I CAN START THE TRUCK I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL DODGE/CHRYSLER OWNER SINCE 1999 AND UNTIL NOW HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY UNTIL NOW IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FIX IT AT NO CHARGE THATS THE WAY A REAL MANUFACTURER KEEPS ITS CUSTOMERS HAPPY
NHTSA ODI #10993490
50,000 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Electrical SystemTires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESET THE SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESET THE SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10980935
130,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Electrical System
FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILURE. FOR A WHILE TRUCK WOULD JUST LOSE POWER AND JERK AT HIGH SPEED. ONCE IT DIED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING AT A MODERATE SPEED. EVENTUALLY IT JUST WOULDN'T START AT ALL. PURCHASED THE EXTERNAL RELAY KIT AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TIPM IN MANY DIFFERENT …
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FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILURE. FOR A WHILE TRUCK WOULD JUST LOSE POWER AND JERK AT HIGH SPEED. ONCE IT DIED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING AT A MODERATE SPEED. EVENTUALLY IT JUST WOULDN'T START AT ALL. PURCHASED THE EXTERNAL RELAY KIT AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TIPM IN MANY DIFFERENT VEHICLES, I'M ANNOYED THAT THIS WASN'T PART OF A RECALL. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE DANGER OF A VEHICLE TURNING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION.
NHTSA ODI #10980189
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2017
EnginePower TrainSteering
"TAKATA RECALL " FIRST BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 2015. 2ND DAY I HAD IT ALMOST COUGHT ON FIRE 78000 MILES SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BATTERY. 2017 99000 MILES LIFTERS ARE TICKING AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO START IT FREAKS OUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IF YOU TRY AND START IT ALL THE LIGHTS FLASH THEN IT'S GOOD FOR A MONTH
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.
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.
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.
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.
2011 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year