← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Electrical System complaints

214 reports
Clear category filter
34,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Electrical System

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS GONE OUT IN MY VEHICLE AND I WAS ADVISED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY IGNITION SWITCHES OUT FOR DELIVERY AND THERE WAS A 3 WEEK DELAY FOR GETTING IN THE PART. THIS TELLS ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART. I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND HAVING TO GET A RENTAL CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615321

70,000 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Electrical System

INSERTING THE KEY FOB TURNS ON ALL ELECTRICAL WITHOUT TURNING THE KEY. AFTER THE ENGIN IS RUNNING, YOU CANNOT TURN IT OFF WITH THE KEY. IT CONTINUES TO RUN WITH THE KEY REMOVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610034

90,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

MY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE WHEN TURNING LEFT. I TURN IT DOWN TO SELECT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606048

200 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE STARTING FROM A STOP IF YOU MOMENTARILY HOLD YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR BEGINS FORWARD THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR SHUTS DOWN FROM 1 TO 10 SECONDS. IF YOU ARE PULLING INTO A BUSY ROAD WHERE YOU MIGHT MOMENTARILY SPIN THE ENGINE UP IN ORDER TO HAVE BETTER RESPONSE Y…

Read full complaint

WHILE STARTING FROM A STOP IF YOU MOMENTARILY HOLD YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR BEGINS FORWARD THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR SHUTS DOWN FROM 1 TO 10 SECONDS. IF YOU ARE PULLING INTO A BUSY ROAD WHERE YOU MIGHT MOMENTARILY SPIN THE ENGINE UP IN ORDER TO HAVE BETTER RESPONSE YOU ARE LEFT STUCK OUT IN THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC. ALSO HAPPENS IF YOU ARE TOWING ON AN INCLINE AND YOU SPIN UP ENGINE BEFORE RELEASING FOOT BRAKE. YOU WOULD DO THIS IN ORDER TO NOT ROLL BACK. THEY SAID THE CODE SAYS YOU SHOULD NOT DRIVE WITH 2 FEAT. I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD HAPPEN THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL. VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566113

71,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical System

THE WIRELESS IGNITION MODULE HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE. IT WILL NO LONGER HOLD THE KEY FOB IN PLACE ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE KEY SIMPLY FALLS OUT BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO TURN OFF WHILE STILL IN GEAR NOW. ADDITIONALLY, SOMETIMES THE MODULE WILL NOT TURN, OR WILL NOT TURN COMPLETELY, WHEN T…

Read full complaint

THE WIRELESS IGNITION MODULE HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE. IT WILL NO LONGER HOLD THE KEY FOB IN PLACE ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE KEY SIMPLY FALLS OUT BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO TURN OFF WHILE STILL IN GEAR NOW. ADDITIONALLY, SOMETIMES THE MODULE WILL NOT TURN, OR WILL NOT TURN COMPLETELY, WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED AND YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT WON'T TURN COMPLETELY TO THE OFF POSITION ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL K08 ISSUED IN AUGUST 2010 ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES IN THE 2010 RAM TRUCKS BUT FOR SOME REASON IT DOES NOT COVER THE 2011 MODELS. DODGE HAS TOLD ME IT IS MY PROBLEM TO FIX AND NOT THEIR DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566008

58,000 miles · Feb 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND LOSE POWER. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE FUEL PUMP REMAINED RUNNING AND CAUSED POWER TO DRAIN FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE C…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND LOSE POWER. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE FUEL PUMP REMAINED RUNNING AND CAUSED POWER TO DRAIN FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECTS WERE ALL DUE TO A FAULTY TPM (TOTALLY POWER MODULE) AND THE MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10565875

60,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND MY BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIPM OR A FANCY FUSE BOX . MY COMPLAINT IS THAT CHRYSLER IS AT FAULT FOR THIS DEFECT WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE LACK OF LIGHT SIGNALS. THEY NEED TO IDENTIFY AN IMMEDIATE AND A ROBUST FIX TO A…

Read full complaint

MY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND MY BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIPM OR A FANCY FUSE BOX . MY COMPLAINT IS THAT CHRYSLER IS AT FAULT FOR THIS DEFECT WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE LACK OF LIGHT SIGNALS. THEY NEED TO IDENTIFY AN IMMEDIATE AND A ROBUST FIX TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS IN MY OTHER VEHICLES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LIGHT SIGNALS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 50 YEARS . ANY INVESTIGATION AND FOLLOW UP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557909

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

BEGAN WHEN I PURCHASED TRUCK OF INTEGRATED BRAKE FAILURE LATER TURNED INTO BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VISOR SHORT, NEW BRAKE CONTROLLER AND LOTS OF HOURS. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WIPERS COME ON, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, NO TURN SIGNALS (INSIDE OR OUTSIDE) NO HEAT, NO RADIO NO TRAILER BRAKES. NOW VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DODGE FOR 2 WEEKS. T…

Read full complaint

BEGAN WHEN I PURCHASED TRUCK OF INTEGRATED BRAKE FAILURE LATER TURNED INTO BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VISOR SHORT, NEW BRAKE CONTROLLER AND LOTS OF HOURS. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WIPERS COME ON, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, NO TURN SIGNALS (INSIDE OR OUTSIDE) NO HEAT, NO RADIO NO TRAILER BRAKES. NOW VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DODGE FOR 2 WEEKS. THEY REPLACED, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WIRING HARNESS, TPMS AND PROBLEM REMAINS. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS NO INDICATORS AND WIPERS CONSTANTLY ON. PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE AND PLAGUES ME TODAY. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I AM CHARGED 100.00 PER VISIT. CUSTOMER CARE WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH OPTIONS I MUST DICTATE MY CHOICES. TERRIBLE SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557432

6,000 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE TURNING SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE TURNING SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON THREE OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF UPDATED 1/17/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10553470

43,000 miles · Oct 7, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD READ THAT THE KEY WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UNTIL A MINIMUM OF 35 MINUTES OF CLOSING THE DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD READ THAT THE KEY WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UNTIL A MINIMUM OF 35 MINUTES OF CLOSING THE DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MAIN COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43, 000....UPDATED 11-12-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE DID START, IT WOULD NOT CUT OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER.

NHTSA ODI #10546962

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.