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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

Service Brakes complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2026
Service Brakes

Refused to perform recall T79 and customer satisfaction notice L41 emmisons. Received text message as evidence that said They are not obligated to repair my vehicle under recall, and that I would have to pay for the repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11749427

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2025
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me be…

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I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me before I could put on my warning blinkers.Eventually, I turned off and on the pickup and everything worked somewhat normally but the vehicle went into limp mode. I got home, had the vehicle towed to the dealership. I explained issue, requested a total diagnosis of everything that was wrong but most importantly, I wanted the total power loss issue diagnosed, pinpointed and resolved. because I don't feel safe driving until issue is truly diagnosed and fixed. I gave them my lifetimecarmaxplus warranty . The techs found a list of parts that needed to be fixed besides the power loss problem, but told me they couldn't fix the total power loss because no codes had been thrown. I explained that since there was a total power loss it was reported by other Dodge techs that no codes could be retrieved. I asked the service manager to ask his tech what diagnostics were used and to what extent to determine the problem. He said he would call me after talking to his tech but never did. I went to the dealership 2 weeks later and asked what he found out from his tech. He was confused and apparently never did anything more about the situation. I called Chrysler warranty, they gave me a case number but again seemed oblivious to the total power loss and fixing this major safety issue. No one has attempted to address the problem or offered to have another mechanic inspect the vehicle. There were no codes that I saw on the dash and I did try to immediately retrieve any but none came up. The front passenger window locks also had been working intermittently 2 mos prior. My husband reported vehicle going in limp mode briefly 2 days prior to ...all electrical issues

NHTSA ODI #11703467

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2022
Power TrainService Brakes

In January 2021 I had to replace the driver's side caliper and CV axle, due to caliper malfunction. In February 2022 I had the same problem and had to replace the CV axle and caliper again due to caliper malfunctioning a second time.

NHTSA ODI #11453129

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

Hydraulic control unit, anti-lock brake system failed which resulted in "no brakes". Truck went through garage door. Could have happened on the road or stopping for pedestrian's. Problems reported to and confirmed by an independent service. The hydraulic control unit has not been inspected. No warning lamps, messages or oth…

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Hydraulic control unit, anti-lock brake system failed which resulted in "no brakes". Truck went through garage door. Could have happened on the road or stopping for pedestrian's. Problems reported to and confirmed by an independent service. The hydraulic control unit has not been inspected. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The hydraulic control unit was kept by the independent service and can be inspected. Parts have been replaced.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11433210

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

Driving up to closed garage door going approximately 2 mph. Catastrophic brake failure and vehicle went through garage door. 1. Total brake failure due to failure of "hydraulic control unit, Anti-lock brake system. A. Unit was replaced by PTL Tire & Auto in Ham Lake because of safety issue. B. Part available for…

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Driving up to closed garage door going approximately 2 mph. Catastrophic brake failure and vehicle went through garage door. 1. Total brake failure due to failure of "hydraulic control unit, Anti-lock brake system. A. Unit was replaced by PTL Tire & Auto in Ham Lake because of safety issue. B. Part available for inspection - unknown (PTL Tire & Auto is looking to see if they still have the part.. C. PTL can write a letter regarding the failure. 2. Total brake failure while driving up to garage door. 3. Confirmed by independent service (PTL Tire & Auto) 4. Vehicle was not inspected except for independent service. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?

NHTSA ODI #11430731

176,199 miles · Sep 27, 2020
EngineService BrakesWheels

WHEEL BEARINGS TRANSMISSION BRAKES ALTERNATOR BATTERY SITTING STILL WITH ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND IN MOTION WITH WHEEL BEARINGS BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11361409

65,000 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Service Brakes

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO OUTER BANKS CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE,RAM AFTER MAKING APPT AND CONFIRMING THE PART WAS IN FOR THE RECALL18V-160. ADVISED IT WOULD TAKE 2.5 HOURS TO FIX. 7 HOURS LATER WHEN I CALLED TO PICK IT UP THEY ADVISED ME THE PART IS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR MY YEAR TRUCK. WEBSITE SAYS IT IS. THEY LIED & DIDN'T FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11110329

80,000 miles · May 18, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE HAS DIED WHILE TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. ON EVERY OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT PRIOR TO SLOWING DOWN IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TURN. ON EVERY OCCASION THE ENGINE DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO LOSE BOTH POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, FORCING ME TO JUST MAN…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE HAS DIED WHILE TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. ON EVERY OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT PRIOR TO SLOWING DOWN IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TURN. ON EVERY OCCASION THE ENGINE DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO LOSE BOTH POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, FORCING ME TO JUST MANHANDLE IT TO AVOID COLLISIONS AND HOPING THE GUY BEHIND ME DIDN'T PLOW INTO MY REAR END. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER SERVICE CENTER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11096730

57,000 miles · Feb 27, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ROTORS TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ROTORS TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11075209

85,000 miles · Mar 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

TAKATA RECALL THE TIPM WENT BAD IN MY TRUCK AT 85,000 MILES. TRUCK WILL NOT START AT TIMES, IT WILL LOCK ME OUT OF MY OWN VEHICLE (THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NEVER LOCKED IN). THE FUEL PUMP RUNS CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF BECAUSE THE TIPM DOES NOT ALLOW IT TO TURN OFF. IT AFFECTS ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL STUFF, INCLUD…

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TAKATA RECALL THE TIPM WENT BAD IN MY TRUCK AT 85,000 MILES. TRUCK WILL NOT START AT TIMES, IT WILL LOCK ME OUT OF MY OWN VEHICLE (THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NEVER LOCKED IN). THE FUEL PUMP RUNS CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF BECAUSE THE TIPM DOES NOT ALLOW IT TO TURN OFF. IT AFFECTS ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL STUFF, INCLUDING RADIO, POWER LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS. MY WINDOWS WILL ROLE DOWN OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, AND THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLE BACK UP. THE BACKUP CAMERA WILL COME ON WHILE I AM DRIVING FORWARD, MY RADIO WILL FREEZE UP TO WHERE I CAN NO DO ANYTHING TO IT. MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT! THE WHOLE ENTIRE TRUCK JUST LOCKS UP. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING, AND IT DECIDES TO SHUT OFF OUT OF NOWHERE, I LOSE ALL POWER!!! NO BRAKES OR STEERING!!! ITS UNCONTROLLABLE!! THERE HAS BEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TIPM IN THE 2011 RAM 1500 INCLUDING PEOPLE ALMOST GETTING INTO ACCIDENTS. MY FRIEND ALSO HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND TOTALED HIS TRUCK BECAUSE IT LOCKED UP ON HIM WHILE DRIVING! ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, RAM STILL DECIDES NOT TO RECALL IT OR EVEN FIX IT!! IF I WAS AWARE OF THIS AND KNOWN THE DANGER I PUT MYSELF IN AND OTHERS IN EVERYDAY, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE!!

NHTSA ODI #10967519

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.