2011 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
225 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
49,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 108 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 159 of 225 complaints (70.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 134 | 59.6% |
| Braking behavior | 23 | 10.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 159 |
| Suspension | 28 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 8 |
Steering: 159; Suspension: 28; Engine: 21; Electrical System: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Power Train: 9; Service Brakes: 9; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 33 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 33; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 117 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 113 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2011: 6; 2012: 12; 2013: 18; 2014: 113; 2015: 31; 2016: 8; 2017: 13; 2018: 4; 2019: 6; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 134 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10379447 · 2011-01-28 (January 28, 2011)
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN MY 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 STEERING LOCKED FOR JUST A SECOND. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT IT DID SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. THERE WAS NO CONTROL FOR JUST A SECOND. THIS HAS NO RE-OCCURRED BUT I HAVE SLOWED DOWN ON MY TURNS. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND HAVE A APPOINTMENT THIS NEXT WEEK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425747 · 2011-09-16 (September 16, 2011)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY.UPON HITTING A POT HOLE OR EXPANTION JOINT THE TRUCK DEVELOPES A VIOLENT SHAKE AND OR WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER REPLACED THE SWAY BAR SHOCK ON THE SWAY BAR ARM AND INSPECTED THE REMAINING PARTS ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK FINDING THEM IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER THE BEFORE MENTIONED WORK WAS PERFORMED THE SHAKE AND OR WOBBLE IS STILL PRESENT. IT IS TRUELLY A "DEATH WOBBLE" AS THE DRIVER HAS LITTLE TO NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A TIME AND COULD EASILY…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10421088 · 2011-08-22 (August 22, 2011)
THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. NO MATTER HOW THE GAIN IS ADJUSTED THE BRAKE CONTROLLER EITHER ENGAGES THE TRAILER BRAKES TO THE POINT OF LOCK UP OR THE TRAILER BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE AT ALL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, IN AN EMERGENCY STOP THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRAILER TO JACK KNIFE OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE TOW VEHICLE. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE CONTROLLER. MANY PEOPLE REPORT THAT THE CONTROLLER WORKS SPORADICALLY, EITHER THE TRAILER BRAKES LOCK UP OR T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10421088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441017 · 2011-12-22 (December 22, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600. UPDATED 01/18/12 LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER. IT DID NOT APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES PROPERLY. IT WOULD WORK, WHEN THE MANUAL LEVEL WAS USED, BUT NOT WHEN THE TRU…
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551105 · 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK GEAR, THERE WAS A LOUD THUD NOISE. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER FRONT TIE ROD HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V350000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10551105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560987 · 2014-01-28 (January 28, 2014)
2011 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED 2 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, IS WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND DID NOT LIKE THE WAY, THE VEHICLE HANDLED AND STEERED. THE PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED TO THE DEALER, AT WHICH TIME THEY WERE INFORMED IT WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS A DUALLY AND THEY WERE NOT USED TO DRIVING ONE AND IT WOULD TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO. APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS AFTER THE VISIT, THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND RETURNED TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441939 · 2011-12-31 (December 31, 2011)
THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW OCTOBER 2010 AND IN DECEMBER 2010 WE HAD TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE WHEN YOU TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT, YOU COULD SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. DODGE ORDERED A NEW SEAT PAD AND REPLACED IT ON 1/11/11 AND WHEN WE TOOK IT IN WE ALSO MADE THEM AWARE THAT THE POWER SEAT ENTRY HAD STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN YOU USED THE SWITCH TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK, IT WENT ALL THE WAY FORWARD NEARLY PINNING MY HUSBAND IN THE SEAT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT. DODGE RECALIBRATED THE DRIVERS SEAT, BUT SEAT STILL NEVER FUNCTIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,157 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10705811 · 2015-04-15 (April 15, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL HEATER CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS OVERHEATING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 WAS RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10705811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442166 · 2012-01-03 (January 3, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,875 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10694774 · 2015-03-17 (March 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING FOR 10-20 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10694774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11721694 · 2026-03-03 (March 3, 2026)
A mechanic at professional auto shop diagnosed the failed TIPM. It caused the fuel sending pump in the fuel tank to stop pumping. The truck stalled while driving on the highway leaving me stranded in 2-degree weather. I read online that there was a lawsuit for this issue but don't know how to file to recoup the $1200+ repair bill on top of the $200 cost to tow it to the auto repair shop. There was an electrical draw and emergency flashers randomly turning on causing the batteries to die a month prior to the failure of the TIPM. I did have the c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721694 at NHTSA ↗