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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

Suspension complaints

37 reports
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42,816 miles · Sep 4, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY AND TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND THE BALL JOINT BROKE IN HALF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541896

36,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE WENT INTO THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH AS THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. WE WERE NORTH OF AMARILLO TX WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. IT DID IT AT LEAST 11 MORE TIMES AS WE DROVE TO OKLAHOMA CITY. WE KEPT DRIVING SLOWER AND SLOWER AS THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL WE GOT THE SPEED DOWN TO…

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VEHICLE WENT INTO THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH AS THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. WE WERE NORTH OF AMARILLO TX WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. IT DID IT AT LEAST 11 MORE TIMES AS WE DROVE TO OKLAHOMA CITY. WE KEPT DRIVING SLOWER AND SLOWER AS THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL WE GOT THE SPEED DOWN TO 30 MPH. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES ON 8/12/13 AS I DROVE FROM JONES, OK TO THE DEALER IN GUTHRIE OK. I DO HAVE VIDEO'S OF THE LAST 2 "DODGE DEATH WOBBLES". THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING IN ONE BOLT THAT WAS MISSING. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I'D RATHER NOT EVER GET IT BACK, BUT IF I DO, I FEEL ALL THE PARTS IN THE FRONT END SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMA ALL THE PARTS WENT THROUGH DURING AT LEAST 15 EVENTS OF THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". YOU'D HAVE TO BE IN THE VEHICLE TO REALIZE HOW VIOLENT THE SHAKING IS WHEN IT DOES THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535030

36,080 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED BOUNCING ALL OVER THE ROAD. FELT AS THOUGH ALL FOUR TIRES HAD SUDDENLY GONE FLAT. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND WENT INTO ONCOMING LANE SIDEWAYS. INSPECTION DID NOT SHOW ANY FAILED COMPONENT (TIRE, STEERING SYSTEM, ETC). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A DAY, THEN WENT OFF. LIGHT ILLUMINAT…

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TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED BOUNCING ALL OVER THE ROAD. FELT AS THOUGH ALL FOUR TIRES HAD SUDDENLY GONE FLAT. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND WENT INTO ONCOMING LANE SIDEWAYS. INSPECTION DID NOT SHOW ANY FAILED COMPONENT (TIRE, STEERING SYSTEM, ETC). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A DAY, THEN WENT OFF. LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, WITH NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM. LOSS OF CONTROL HAS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE. SIMILAR SPEEDS DURING EACH EVENT, WITH TWO DIFFERENT OPERATORS. SERIOUS DIFFICULTY RETAINING CONTROL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND ROLL OVER/CRASH CONCERNS PRECLUDE ATTEMPTING TO DUPLICATE EVENT. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO DATE. I WILL NEVER TRUST THE ONCOMING DODGE TRUCK UNTIL THIS IS ADDRESSED. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE. IT IS SAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532402

38,500 miles · Jul 15, 2013
SteeringSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

THE TRUCK EXPERIENCED THE DODGE DEATH WOBBLE AND I HAVE SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING TO CORRECT AN ISSUE WITH THEIR PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN KNOW ABOUT SINCE 1994 AND HAS HAD MANY RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED FROM THE VEHICLE LOSING CONTROL AND CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.…

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THE TRUCK EXPERIENCED THE DODGE DEATH WOBBLE AND I HAVE SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING TO CORRECT AN ISSUE WITH THEIR PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN KNOW ABOUT SINCE 1994 AND HAS HAD MANY RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED FROM THE VEHICLE LOSING CONTROL AND CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AND HAS EVEN RIPPED THE STEERING WHEEL FROM MY HANDS WHILE DRIVING AND HAD TO COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE IT WOULD QUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524960

33,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
SteeringSuspension

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR 74 MILES, AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SUDDENLY THE STEERING AND OR FRONT WHEELS AND AXLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. SHAKING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL AND INTO THE MEDIAN.THE VIOLENT WOBBLE AND OR SHAKING WAS SO SEVERE IT BLEW THE STEERING HOSE OFF CAUSING THE L…

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TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR 74 MILES, AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SUDDENLY THE STEERING AND OR FRONT WHEELS AND AXLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. SHAKING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL AND INTO THE MEDIAN.THE VIOLENT WOBBLE AND OR SHAKING WAS SO SEVERE IT BLEW THE STEERING HOSE OFF CAUSING THE LOSE OF FLUID , STEERING AND BRAKING. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, THERE WAS NO WAY SHE COULD HAVE HELD IT TOGETHER. THANKFULLY I GOT IT STOPPED WITHOUT A ROLLOVER OR INVOLVING ANOTHER VEHICLE. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BY THIS POORLY ENGINEERED FRONT END. I'VE LEARNED SENSE THEN MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE GET SOMETHING DONE IN BEHALF OF CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520132

31,750 miles · Mar 12, 2013
SteeringSuspensionCrash

TRUCK CIRCULATING DIRT ROAD AFTER 25 MILES CONSTANT. THE BILLET SHOCK TOWER, LEFT DEFORMED MATERIAL FATIGUE. DEFORMING THE CHASSIS SUPPORT AREA, AND THE SHOCK IS DESTROYED. GENERATING A WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY, CUTTING RODS. BOTH WHEELS BEING UNCONTROLLED. THE UPPER COIL SUPPORT, SHOWS A CLEAR IN ITS ZONE FATIGUE. THIS SAME FAULT …

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TRUCK CIRCULATING DIRT ROAD AFTER 25 MILES CONSTANT. THE BILLET SHOCK TOWER, LEFT DEFORMED MATERIAL FATIGUE. DEFORMING THE CHASSIS SUPPORT AREA, AND THE SHOCK IS DESTROYED. GENERATING A WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY, CUTTING RODS. BOTH WHEELS BEING UNCONTROLLED. THE UPPER COIL SUPPORT, SHOWS A CLEAR IN ITS ZONE FATIGUE. THIS SAME FAULT HAPPENED AT 3500 MILES, AND CHRYSLER DEALER IN CHILE, JUST CHANGE THE BARS TRACKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502587

42,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55MPH, IF AN EXPANSION JOINT, POT HOLE, OR ANY FORM OF A LARGER BUMP IS HIT, THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS "DEATH WOBBLE." TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, THE FRONT AXLE IS SHIFTING SIDE TO SIDE UNDERNEATH THE BODY OF THE TRUCK, CAUSING A VIOLENT SHAKE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE. BEI…

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WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55MPH, IF AN EXPANSION JOINT, POT HOLE, OR ANY FORM OF A LARGER BUMP IS HIT, THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS "DEATH WOBBLE." TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, THE FRONT AXLE IS SHIFTING SIDE TO SIDE UNDERNEATH THE BODY OF THE TRUCK, CAUSING A VIOLENT SHAKE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE. BEING AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN, I INSPECTED MY PERSONAL VEHICLE WITH TWO OTHER ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS, AND DISCOVERED NO LOGICAL CAUSES FOR SUCH A SHAKE, BUT PROCEEDED TO RETORQUE EVERY NUT AND BOLT UNDER THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH ADDING A NEW HEAVY DUTY STEERING STABILIZER, PER DODGE DEALER SUGGESTION. TO NO AVAIL, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I CAN NO LONGER ALLOW MY SIX MONTH OLD DAUGHTER TO RIDE IN MY TRUCK FOR FEAR OF DEATH WOBBLE OCCURRING. I REFUSE TO ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK FOR FEAR OF HER SAFETY. MAKE THIS SITUATION RIGHT WITH RAM TRUCK OWNERS, BEFORE IT TAKES A LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492318

10,500 miles · Jan 11, 2013
SteeringSuspension

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED: I NOTICED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK IN THE LEFT FRONT AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE FREEWAY WHILS TRAVELING 70 M.P.H. THE WOBBLE STOPPED WHEN I SLOWED DOWN. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN I HIT ANY KIND OF A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 70 OR MORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS TH…

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TELL US WHAT HAPPENED: I NOTICED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK IN THE LEFT FRONT AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE FREEWAY WHILS TRAVELING 70 M.P.H. THE WOBBLE STOPPED WHEN I SLOWED DOWN. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN I HIT ANY KIND OF A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 70 OR MORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS THERE FOR 4 DAYS, THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED I HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, WHICH I DID AND PAID FOR IT MYSELF. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE ON THE FREEWAY AND HIT A BUMP THE TRUCK WENT INTO A DANGERIUS WOBBLE AGAIN .. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER,WHICH TIME THE MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND FELT THE WOBBLE WHEN I HIT A BUMP AT 70 M.P.H. THE MECHANIC SAID HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE FRONT END APART TO FIND THE PROBLEM ,WHICH HE SAID WOULD TAKE A ENTIRE DAY. I LEFT THE TRUCK,, 4 DAYS LATER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END AND IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES..( THE TRUCK HAS 11000 MILES ON IT) I PICKED THE TRUCK UP AND LEFT,AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 70 M.P.H. AND ALMOST WRECKED.. I'M LOST.. PAID $50.000.00 FOR A DEATH TRAP AND NO WHERE TO TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492203

10,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I NOTICED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK IN THE LEFT FRONT AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE FREEWAY WHILS TRAVELING 70 M.P.H. THE WOBBLE STOPPED WHEN I SLOWED DOWN. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN I HIT ANY KIND OF A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 70 OR MORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS THERE FOR 4 DAYS, THEY SA…

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I NOTICED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK IN THE LEFT FRONT AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE FREEWAY WHILS TRAVELING 70 M.P.H. THE WOBBLE STOPPED WHEN I SLOWED DOWN. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN I HIT ANY KIND OF A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 70 OR MORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS THERE FOR 4 DAYS, THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED I HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED, WHICH I DID AND PAID FOR IT MYSELF. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE ON THE FREEWAY AND HIT A BUMP THE TRUCK WENT INTO A DANGERIUS WOBBLE AGAIN .. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER,WHICH TIME THE MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND FELT THE WOBBLE WHEN I HIT A BUMP AT 70 M.P.H. THE MECHANIC SAID HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE FRONT END APART TO FIND THE PROBLEM ,WHICH HE SAID WOULD TAKE A ENTIRE DAY. I LEFT THE TRUCK,, 4 DAYS LATER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END AND IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES..( THE TRUCK HAS 11000 MILES ON IT) I PICKED THE TRUCK UP AND LEFT,AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 70 M.P.H. AND ALMOST WRECKED.. I'M LOST.. PAID $50.000.00 FOR A DEATH TRAP AND NO WHERE TO TURN... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492201

34,456 miles · Dec 3, 2012
SteeringSuspension

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65-70 TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE VERY BAD WERE I ALMOST LOST CONTROL SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED CHECK ALL TIRE AND STARTED GOING AGAIN AND AS SOON AS I HIT 65MPH IT HAPPENED AGAIN TILL I SLOWED DOWN TO 30MPH I ONCE AGAIN STOPPED CHECK TIRES ALL GOOD THIS IS A COMMON THING WITH THE DODGE RAM FROM DOING A SEARCH OF …

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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65-70 TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE VERY BAD WERE I ALMOST LOST CONTROL SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED CHECK ALL TIRE AND STARTED GOING AGAIN AND AS SOON AS I HIT 65MPH IT HAPPENED AGAIN TILL I SLOWED DOWN TO 30MPH I ONCE AGAIN STOPPED CHECK TIRES ALL GOOD THIS IS A COMMON THING WITH THE DODGE RAM FROM DOING A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET ON WHAT OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS ARE CALLING THE DEATH WOBBLE AND TO THIS DATE DODGE SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO AND EITHER MAKE DODGE DO A RECALL TO FIX THERE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487264

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.