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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

What owners actually said

688 reports
73,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TRUCK HAS INTERMITTENTLY STARTED OFF AN ON THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED IT (10 MONTHS). TRUCK DIED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO COAST TO A STOP TRUCK NOW WONT START AT ALL I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY'VE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WIRING HARNESS. SAME SYMPTOMS APPEAR AFTER BOTH "REPAIRS".

NHTSA ODI #10905485

55,068 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Electrical System

VEHICLE CRANKS BUT DOE NOT START, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNINGS. DEALER INSTALLED AN EXTERNAL FUEL PUMP RELAY, HOPEFULLY IT WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10904864

14,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Unknown Or Other

BOUGHT NEW. HAD ONLY HAD FEW MONTHS AND ENTIRE DASH HAD TO BE PULLED BECAUSE AIR CONDITIONING COIL EXPLODED AND COATED WINDSHIELD WITH OIL CAUSING DRIVER TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE. VEHICLE WAS KEPT 2 WEEKS FOR THIS. SINCE THEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR NON WORKING AIR CONDITIONER MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AM HAVING TO PAY $100 EACH …

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BOUGHT NEW. HAD ONLY HAD FEW MONTHS AND ENTIRE DASH HAD TO BE PULLED BECAUSE AIR CONDITIONING COIL EXPLODED AND COATED WINDSHIELD WITH OIL CAUSING DRIVER TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE. VEHICLE WAS KEPT 2 WEEKS FOR THIS. SINCE THEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR NON WORKING AIR CONDITIONER MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AM HAVING TO PAY $100 EACH TIME TO GET SHOP TO EVEN LOOK AT IT AND IT STILL ISN'T WORKING. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT REPAIR PROBLEM. I PAID $2600 FOR MAX CARE WARRANTY AND SHOP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE IT. STILL SAME PROBLEM. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A CENT BECAUSE THIS IS ALL THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW.

NHTSA ODI #10904673

100,000 miles · Sep 6, 2016
Engine

I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE TRUCK DIED! I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER DOING A QUICK SEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE SAME ENGINE IN THE SAME YEAR BUT ONLY…

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I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE TRUCK DIED! I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER DOING A QUICK SEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE SAME ENGINE IN THE SAME YEAR BUT ONLY IF ITS IN A CHARGER, CHALLENGER OR A 300(THE RECALL IS CALLED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION P01, SEE ATTACHED) . THE FAILURE I EXPERIENCED IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CARS. I WAS DOING HIGHWAY SPEED IN FUEL SAVING MODE AND WHEN THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY KICKS INTO 8 CYLINDER MODE THE TIMING CHAIN BRAKES. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THE ENGINE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL BECAUSE ITS IN A TRUCK NOT A CAR. WHEN THE CHAIN BREAKS IN ONE OF THESE ENGINES IT COMPLETELY DESTROYS THE PISTONS AND VALVES. I NEED NEW ENGINE! THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FLAW IN THIS ENGINE AND THE RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO ALL ENGINES OF THIS MODEL INCLUDING THE ONES IN RAM TRUCKS. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER IM CERTAIN THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ANYONE WITH LESS EXPERIENCE THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10904239

170,000 miles · Sep 6, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

2011 RAM 1500 SPORT WITH TIPM-7. VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEM STARTING, I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LOSS IN FUEL PRESSURE. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THIS TRUCK HAS TIPM-7. REPAIR SHOP VERIFIED THIS. THE INJECTORS WERE CHECKED AND WERE FINE. ENGINE RUNS PERF…

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2011 RAM 1500 SPORT WITH TIPM-7. VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEM STARTING, I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LOSS IN FUEL PRESSURE. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THIS TRUCK HAS TIPM-7. REPAIR SHOP VERIFIED THIS. THE INJECTORS WERE CHECKED AND WERE FINE. ENGINE RUNS PERFECTLY AFTER START. DIAGNOSIS FAULTY FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE SAME FUEL PUMP RELAY THAT CHRYSLER RECALLED 230,000 VEHICLES IN 2014 AND AN ADDITIONAL 467,000 VEHICLES IN 2015. WHY WON'T CHRYSLER FIX THEIR SCREW UPS?

NHTSA ODI #10903701

46,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Engine

LIFTER FAILURE AND CYLINDER MISFIRE. LOUD ENGINE TICK WHICH IS CAUSED FROM FAILING LIFTER AND SPRING TO CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAM. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEMI 5.7L. TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 47000 MILES AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. REPAIRS ARE COSTING $3800.00. TRUCK IS UNDRIVABLE FOR FEAR OF ENGINE PISTON BREAKING CYLINDER WA…

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LIFTER FAILURE AND CYLINDER MISFIRE. LOUD ENGINE TICK WHICH IS CAUSED FROM FAILING LIFTER AND SPRING TO CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAM. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEMI 5.7L. TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 47000 MILES AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. REPAIRS ARE COSTING $3800.00. TRUCK IS UNDRIVABLE FOR FEAR OF ENGINE PISTON BREAKING CYLINDER WALL.

NHTSA ODI #10899191

114,000 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Electrical System

TIPM TRUCK WONT START BECAUSE OF THIS.. POWER WINDOWS HAD BEEN ACTING UP.. NOW FIND OUT AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF GET IN ACCIDENT.. REALLY? THIS ISNT A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10898645

75,557 miles · Jul 31, 2016
Air BagsSteeringUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL. MY 2011 DODGE RAM HEMI SPORT. THE STEERING WHEEL HORN PAD OVER MY SRS AIRBAG IS CRACKED AND CRACKING MORE EACH DAY. IM AFRAID THAT IT WILL MAKE MY AIRBAG POP OR SHOW AND INJURE MY SELF OR OTHERS DRIVING. IT JUST STARTED A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO HIT THE HORN.

NHTSA ODI #10891935

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10883060

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2016
Air BagsStructureSuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. TH…

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TL* THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD A FAULTY LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF UPDATED 06/18/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10875582

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.