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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.

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

What owners actually said

688 reports
12,000 miles · Nov 4, 2018
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSeat Belts

TAKATE RECALL/I I CALLED YOUR OFFICE ABOUT 09/05/18, AND YOUR OFFICE GAVE ME FORD DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA, TN. I CALL THEM ON 09/06/18 , THIR OFFICE SAID THAY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY GOT THE PARTS IN, THAT WAS 80 DAYS AGO ( WAT NOW )

NHTSA ODI #11145259

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2018
Power Train

2011 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL NO. T79/NHTSA 17V-821. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIRS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11142014

155,332 miles · Oct 16, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HAS NO FUEL. MOSTLY CRANK NO START, BUT ONCE STALLED WHILE DRIVING CREATING DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING. TESTED FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM AND FOUND FUEL PUMP INTERMITTENTLY NOT GETTING ELECTRICAL POWER. FAILED RELAY ON TIPM.

NHTSA ODI #11140553

118,000 miles · Oct 12, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP REMAINED ACTIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE CLASSIC CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT DEALER AT (682) 226-6400,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP REMAINED ACTIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE CLASSIC CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT DEALER AT (682) 226-6400, LOCATED AT 1111 I-20 FRONTAGE RD, ARLINGTON, TX 76018 AND IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #11140047

176,432 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Engine

HYDRAULIC LIFTERS ROLLERS SEIZED AND DAMAGE CAN SHAFT

NHTSA ODI #11139084

105,571 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Electrical System

TRUCK WILL NOT START, IT ACTS AS IF THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY FUEL. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY.

NHTSA ODI #11133150

60,000 miles · Oct 2, 2018
Electrical SystemSeats

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FAN SYSTEM, BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ECO SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. AFTER A DAY OR 2 FROM RAIN, THE SYSTEM WORKS PROPERLY AGAIN. IT CAN SO SOMETIMES BYPASS THE ISSUE BY PULLING THE BATTERY AND RE-INST…

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THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FAN SYSTEM, BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ECO SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. AFTER A DAY OR 2 FROM RAIN, THE SYSTEM WORKS PROPERLY AGAIN. IT CAN SO SOMETIMES BYPASS THE ISSUE BY PULLING THE BATTERY AND RE-INSTALLING IT. THE SEATS ALSO WEAR DOWN TO THE POINT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER JUST 20K MILES

NHTSA ODI #11132905

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2018
Power Train

ON 5/30/2017 WE HAD THE REAR END REPLACED ON MY 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 BY THE DEALER IN OCEAN NJ. I EXPLAINED TO THEM BEFORE THE WORK WAS DONE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINION BEARING THAT I JUST HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. I EXPLAINED THAT WAS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE THAT THE REAR END WOULD HAPPEN TO GO AND WAS NOT DAMAGED BEFORE RE…

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ON 5/30/2017 WE HAD THE REAR END REPLACED ON MY 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 BY THE DEALER IN OCEAN NJ. I EXPLAINED TO THEM BEFORE THE WORK WAS DONE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINION BEARING THAT I JUST HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. I EXPLAINED THAT WAS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE THAT THE REAR END WOULD HAPPEN TO GO AND WAS NOT DAMAGED BEFORE RECALL WAS DISCOVERED. THEY DECIDED THEY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS, WHICH COST ME $1032.00 AND THEY PAID $727.00. THIS REAR END PROBLEM WAS ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA , BLOGS AND FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSIUE. I WAS ALSO NEVER TOLD ABOUT BUYBACK PROGRAM THAT WAS ANNOUNCED, AND WHEN I ASKED DEALER THEY SAID TO ME THAT THE 2011 DODGE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM WHICH WAS NOT TRUE AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11132332

130,000 miles · Sep 30, 2018
Engine

MY TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. IT HAS 130K HIGHWAY MILES. DRIVING AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER ROUTINE OIL & LUBE, I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING ROUGHLY AT A NEARBY STOP LIGHT. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CEL ILLUMINATED. ON 19 JUL 2018 I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP…

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MY TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. IT HAS 130K HIGHWAY MILES. DRIVING AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER ROUTINE OIL & LUBE, I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING ROUGHLY AT A NEARBY STOP LIGHT. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CEL ILLUMINATED. ON 19 JUL 2018 I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE INVOICE/ SERVICE SUMMARY STATES:"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. TEST AND FOUND CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE. SWAP SPARK PLUG, AND COIL. STILL HAS #3 MISFIRE. CAN HEAR POSSABLE LIFTER NOISE. WILL NEED TO TAKE APART ENGINE TO TEST." THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME CAM SHAFT LIFTER WEAR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 5.7 LITER HEMIS. HE SAID THEY'VE HAD SEVERAL CASES AT THAT DEALERSHIP, AND THERE WERE 70,000 PARTS ON BACK ORDER NATION WIDE RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. HE ALSO TOLD ME THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $3,500 - $4,000. THE INVOICE TO CHECK THE CEL WAS $122.91. I WAS TOLD IT SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. INTERNET SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM CONFIRMS IT IS WIDESPREAD. MY ENGINE NOW SPUTTERS AND SHUDDERS WHEN UNDER PRESSURE/ ACCELERATION. CEL HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I'M STUCK: CAN'T GET PARTS TO REPAIR, CAN'T SELL/ TRADE IT WITH THIS ISSUE, GROWING MORE CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT. HELP PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI #11132327

135,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Engine

DODGE RAM 1500 2011. CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE. WHENEVER I WOULD GO OVER 2K RPMS OR 70MPH THE TRUCK WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND RESTART MY VEHICLE FOR THE PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. ON 2 LANE ROADS I WOULD OFTEN HOLD UP TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. MANY TIMES, THIS PROBLEM MADE IT UNSAFE…

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DODGE RAM 1500 2011. CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE. WHENEVER I WOULD GO OVER 2K RPMS OR 70MPH THE TRUCK WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND RESTART MY VEHICLE FOR THE PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. ON 2 LANE ROADS I WOULD OFTEN HOLD UP TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. MANY TIMES, THIS PROBLEM MADE IT UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. WHEN I WAS GOING 65MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY TRUCK WOULD START TO SHAKE AND SLOW DOWN TO 30 MPH I WAS ALMOST HIT A NUMBER OF TIMES. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL WITH NO FIX. TOOK IT TO A MOPAR SHOP WHERE THEY ALSO CHANGED THE COIL. THIS RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES THEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. I TOOK IT BACK TO MOPAR WHERE THEY WENT MORE IN DEPTH AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIFTER/ROLLER AND CAM. THE LIFTER GOT STUCK AND MADE A GROVE IN THE CAM. I COULD REPLACE THEM FOR 4.5K OR REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR 8K. WITH ALL THE METAL FLOATING IN MY ENGINE FROM THE CAM, I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS ABSURD FOR RAM TO HAVE NOT COMMENTED ON THIS PROBLEM OR FINE A RECALL. THEY ARE AFRAID THEY WILL LOSE MONEY AND LOSE INVESTORS BECAUSE THIS FIX IS NOT CHEAP. IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR A "REPUTABLE" TRUCK LIKE RAM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND NOT GIVE A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11132085

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.