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2011 Dodge RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

149 reports with mileage · 148 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.

  • Steering. Review the 210 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2024
EnginePower Train

Warped head / blown head gasket

NHTSA ODI #11611894

325,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Power TrainFire

TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA ODI #11414470

68,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES RECURRED ONCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11280379

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2019
Power Train

SEVERAL MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF CAUSING EXHAUST TO LEAK EARLY. POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DEPENDING ON HOW BAD THE LEAK IS, NOT TO MENTION THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. VERY KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE BUT FCA WILL ONLY ADDRESS IF THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD. VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS…

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SEVERAL MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF CAUSING EXHAUST TO LEAK EARLY. POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DEPENDING ON HOW BAD THE LEAK IS, NOT TO MENTION THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. VERY KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE BUT FCA WILL ONLY ADDRESS IF THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD. VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11164693

140,130 miles · Aug 17, 2018
Power Train

NHTSA RECALL 17V-821 THIS VEHICLE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE WITH CLEAN HISTORY/CARFAX REPORT. RECALL NOT COMPLETED. DEALER: AUTONATION DODGE RAM ARAPAHOE 10743 EAST ARAPAHOE RD., ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112 866 331-0726

NHTSA ODI #11120729

60,000 miles · Jan 26, 2018
Power TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY A LARGE EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A HOLE WAS OBSERVED IN THE FLOOR AREA ALONG WITH FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY A LARGE EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A HOLE WAS OBSERVED IN THE FLOOR AREA ALONG WITH FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 WHERE THE POLICE OFFICER WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LITHIA CHRYSLER, 7171 WEST CANEL DR, KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON 99336) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVELINE BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENATIVE TO DO A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THE VIN SEARCH REVEALED ONE RECALL, WHICH WAS NOT IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11065279

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2017
EnginePower Train

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE CRACKED , 981 HOURS ON THE MOTOR AND 36,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, THE CAB FILLS WITH EXHAUST SMELL, THE BOLTS ARE DEFECTIVE SEE ODI 10937913

NHTSA ODI #10956049

44,761 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Power TrainSteering

GOING INTO A CURVE FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DOES NOT DO IT CONSISTENTLY BUT HAVE HEARD OTHER RAM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN MY RAM DOES THIS YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOOSING CONTROL. AT SOME POINT THIS IS GOING TO CA…

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GOING INTO A CURVE FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DOES NOT DO IT CONSISTENTLY BUT HAVE HEARD OTHER RAM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN MY RAM DOES THIS YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOOSING CONTROL. AT SOME POINT THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #10733671

74,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Power TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACK BAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHIC…

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

NHTSA ODI #10578224

40,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Power TrainSteeringWheels

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING BOTH FRONT TIRES TO TILT INWARD. I HAPPENED TO BE AT A DEALER'S LOT AND HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THIS LOCATION. UPON CONTACTING MY DODGE DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL AND THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER WHERE I WAS TOLD - ON THREE SEPARATE CALLS - THIS WAS NOT P…

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WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING BOTH FRONT TIRES TO TILT INWARD. I HAPPENED TO BE AT A DEALER'S LOT AND HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THIS LOCATION. UPON CONTACTING MY DODGE DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL AND THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER WHERE I WAS TOLD - ON THREE SEPARATE CALLS - THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I'VE SINCE FOUND A PUBLISHED NOTICE BY CHRYSLER, STATING MY EXACT MAKE & MODEL AND THE EXACT TIE ROD BREAKAGE AS BEING PART OF A RECALL. CHRYSLER HAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT OF MY REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $600 ON A $50,000 TRUCK WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT MYSELF AND A PASSENGER HAD JUST EXITED OFF A MAJOR INTERSTATE WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MPH AND I WAS TOWING A BOAT. I CAN NO LONGER TRUST DODGE VEHICLES, THEIR CUSTOMER CARE DUE TO THEIR LACK OF SAFE PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI #10567300

Official recalls

4

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.

14V635000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel; Fuel System, Diesel

Oct 8, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Diesel

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.

Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.

Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

13V529000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Nov 6, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. 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 N49.

11V350000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Jul 6, 2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 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.