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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

Engine complaints

151 reports
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230,000 miles · Dec 18, 2019
Engine

I HAVE A CAMSHAFT FAILURE IN A 2011 RAM 1500. IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE IN A TRAFFIC JAM AND HAS ME STUCK 400 MILES FROM HOME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT COST ABOUT 5000 DOLLARS TO FIX. IT IT OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY REPORTS OF THIS. MY VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED WITH F…

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I HAVE A CAMSHAFT FAILURE IN A 2011 RAM 1500. IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE IN A TRAFFIC JAM AND HAS ME STUCK 400 MILES FROM HOME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT COST ABOUT 5000 DOLLARS TO FIX. IT IT OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY REPORTS OF THIS. MY VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED WITH FULL SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL AND I RUN MID GRADE OR PREMIUM FUEL ALL THE TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS WITH ALL 5.7L HEMI'S NOT JUST THE RAM. MY FRIEND HAS A CHARGER WITH THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11289825

92,747 miles · Nov 30, 2019
Engine

2009-2013 5.7 HEMI CAM AND LIFTER AND LIFTER CASSETTE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #11282989

112,000 miles · Oct 30, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. GRIFFIN DODGE JEEP RAM (1012 HOLLAND AVE, PHILADELPHIA, MS) AND THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. GRIFFIN DODGE JEEP RAM (1012 HOLLAND AVE, PHILADELPHIA, MS) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11277079

140,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WENT INTO THE FUSE BOX TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE BROWN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (4970 E U.S. HWY 377, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WENT INTO THE FUSE BOX TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE BROWN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (4970 E U.S. HWY 377, GRANBURY, TX 76049, (817) 279-1500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 64777982. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11268627

74,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A MILD DINGING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE MANUFACTURER AND VIDEON CHRYSLER DODGE (4951 W. CHESTER PIKE, NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA) WERE NOTI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A MILD DINGING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE MANUFACTURER AND VIDEON CHRYSLER DODGE (4951 W. CHESTER PIKE, NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #11256452

100,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT'S SON ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON HIS OWN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT'S SON ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON HIS OWN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11243769

160,000 miles · Jul 12, 2019
Engine

ENGINE CAM SHAFT AND LIFTER FAILURE. LIFTERS FAIL RESULTING IN CAM SHAFT LOBE WEARING UNEVENLY CAUSING EXTREME SHAKING AND MISFIRE WHILE DRIVING UNDER LOAD AND COULD CAUSE DRIVERS TO WRECK WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #11231497

137,472 miles · Jul 12, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CEL CAME ON FOR FIRST TIME SINCE BUYING TRUCK 1 YEAR AGO AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. REPLACED GAS CAP; 3 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM, REPLACED GAS CAP AGAIN. TODAY, 07/12/2019, SAME ISSUE WITH CEL COMING ON, BUT THIS TIME, FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AFTER JUST FILLING GAS TANK. TURNED ENGIND OFF & RESTARTED FUEL GAUGE WORKING AGAIN,…

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CEL CAME ON FOR FIRST TIME SINCE BUYING TRUCK 1 YEAR AGO AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. REPLACED GAS CAP; 3 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM, REPLACED GAS CAP AGAIN. TODAY, 07/12/2019, SAME ISSUE WITH CEL COMING ON, BUT THIS TIME, FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AFTER JUST FILLING GAS TANK. TURNED ENGIND OFF & RESTARTED FUEL GAUGE WORKING AGAIN, BUT CEL STILL ON. TOOK GAS CAP OFF THEN REINSTALLED, FUEL GAGE WORKING, BUT CEL STILL ON.

NHTSA ODI #11231477

104,000 miles · Jul 11, 2019
Engine

ENGINE STARTED MISSING AND VIBRATING WHEN ACCELERATING, ENGINE TROUBLE CODE P0303 APPEARED. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND AFTER INSPECTING THEY DETERMINED IT TO BE THE CAMSHAFT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALL SAID AND DONE THE TOTAL…

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ENGINE STARTED MISSING AND VIBRATING WHEN ACCELERATING, ENGINE TROUBLE CODE P0303 APPEARED. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND AFTER INSPECTING THEY DETERMINED IT TO BE THE CAMSHAFT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALL SAID AND DONE THE TOTAL COST WAS $3129.00.

NHTSA ODI #11231135

140,000 miles · Jun 28, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR BEGAN TO BOTH BEEP AND FLASH. THE BEEPING SOUND STOPPED ONCE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER CAPE COD (460 YARMOUTH RD, HYANNIS, MA 02601, (508) 815-5000) WHERE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR BEGAN TO BOTH BEEP AND FLASH. THE BEEPING SOUND STOPPED ONCE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER CAPE COD (460 YARMOUTH RD, HYANNIS, MA 02601, (508) 815-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WAS NOT BUILT PROPERLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI #11223170

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.