NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
225 reports98,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND PARKED THE VEHICLE AND, UPON EXITING, OBSERVED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. UPON ARRIVAL, THE VEHICLE WAS HOSED DOWN WITH WATER. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND PARKED THE VEHICLE AND, UPON EXITING, OBSERVED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. UPON ARRIVAL, THE VEHICLE WAS HOSED DOWN WITH WATER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF AN ACTUAL FIRE PRESENT BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE THE VEHICLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LARRY H. MILLER DODGE PEORIA (8665 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382 (480) 865-3986) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MALFUNCTIONING ALTERNATOR THAT NEED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #11022142
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2017
Steering
THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING. THE TRUCK CONSTANTLY WANDERS WHEN DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION IS REQUIRED. THE EXCESSIVE PLAY IS APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES OF STEERING WHEEL INPUT BEFORE THE WHEELS START TO TURN (THIS APPLIES WHETHER STATIONARY OR BEING DRIVEN).
NHTSA ODI #11016106
20 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Unknown Or Other
IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT HAS TO BE IN THE PERFECT SPOT FOR THE ENGINE TO FIRE. WITH IN THE PAST WEEK, THE TRUCK WILL NO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY ALL INCIDENT HAVE BEEN ON DIRTY STREETS .
NHTSA ODI #11014236
170,000 miles · Jul 5, 2017
Service BrakesSteering
LOST MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY DOING 65. LOST ALL BRAKE POWER AND POWER STEERING.THE MOTOR RUNS BUT HAVE NO BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. LOOKING AT IT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 YOUNG KIDS AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT IF I WASN'T ABLE TO MAN HANDLE THE TRUCK. DEFINITELY A…
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LOST MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY DOING 65. LOST ALL BRAKE POWER AND POWER STEERING.THE MOTOR RUNS BUT HAVE NO BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. LOOKING AT IT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 YOUNG KIDS AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT IF I WASN'T ABLE TO MAN HANDLE THE TRUCK. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING IT. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO LOOK INTO THIS CAUSE NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS IN IT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS BUT I WOULD REALLY HATE TO SEE SOMETHING BAD HAPPEN TO A FAMILY FOR A ISSUE LIKE THIS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE TO HEAR A RESPONSE BACK FROM YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11003078
70,000 miles · May 3, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REGAIN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IF THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REGAIN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 06/22/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR IDLED. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #10983312
78,000 miles · Jan 27, 2017
Steering
POWER STEERING ASSIST IS NOT WORKING. WHEN YOUR MOVING SLOW IN THE VIHICLE IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN I TOOK MY DODGE RAM 3500 IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS NOT WORKING AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE SITTING OR MOVING VERY SL…
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POWER STEERING ASSIST IS NOT WORKING. WHEN YOUR MOVING SLOW IN THE VIHICLE IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN I TOOK MY DODGE RAM 3500 IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS NOT WORKING AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE SITTING OR MOVING VERY SLOW. SO IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I'M A DISABLED PERSON SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPOTS, SO I DRIVE AROUND TO FIND SPOTS THAT CAN BE PULLED STRAIGHT INTO AND OUT OF.
NHTSA ODI #10947984
120,000 miles · Jan 16, 2017
SteeringCrashInjury
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATLY 45 MPH ON SMOOTH PAVED ROAD. SUDDENLY SHOT TO LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY. IT ALSO FELT AS IF THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, EVERTHING OCCURRED IN AN INSTANT. SO, ACCELERATION MAY JUST BE PERCEIVED. WITNESS, FOLLOWING DESCRIBED SAME WAY TO PD.
NHTSA ODI #10945592
36,000 miles · Sep 22, 2016
SteeringSuspensionWheels
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-70 MPH I HAVE RUN ACROSS SMALL BUMPS OR HOLES THAT CAUSE EITHER FRONT WHEEL TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO REDUCE SPEED DRAMATICALLY OR EVEN STOP TO GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS CALLED THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE".
NHTSA ODI #10908755
75,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD AND BALL STUD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD AND BALL STUD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE AND OBSERVED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10888616
154,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
NHTSA ODI #10882587
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
Oct 13, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
Oct 8, 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Nov 6, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. 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 N49.
Jul 6, 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 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
1EA19001 · 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.
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