2011 Dodge RAM 4500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 14 complaints (71.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 57.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
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 | 10 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Steering: 10; Suspension: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 7; 2015: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10466019 · 2012-07-17 (July 17, 2012)
WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN CROSSING ON AN OVERPASS, THE STEERING WHEEL START VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. IT GOT SO BAD I HAD TO IMMEDIATE BRAKE HARD AND EXIT THE FREEWAY. IT DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I WAS NEARLY STOPPED. THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND NORMALLY HAS A GOOSENECK TRAILER WITH A CONTROL ROOM AND HEAVY UMBILICAL CABLES MOUNTED ON IT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, I KNOW I WOULD HAVE CRASHED. HAD THIS HAPPENED WITH SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD, I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL, SPUN OUT AND MOST…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,531 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511666 · 2013-05-13 (May 13, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN AT A SPEED OF 1 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY SEIZED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607012 · 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)
OUR DELIVERY DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO SHOP AFTER A DELIVERY. HE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BECOMING VERY HARD WHEN HE PUSHED ON IT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, HE HAD NO BRAKES. HE THEN SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND STARTED TO COAST WITH IT, GRADUALLY SLOWING. A MINIVAN STOPPED ABRUPTLY IN THE VERY RIGHTMOST LANE RESULTING IN OUR TRUCK REAR ENDING IT. AT THIS TIME THE TRUCK HAD SLOWED TO SOMEWHERE IN THE 20 MPH RANGE. THEN HE EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND LIMPED THE TRUCK BACK TO THE SHO…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,352 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10825056 · 2016-02-09 (February 9, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE WATER PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FRACTURE. THE FRACTURED SERPENTINE BELT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED FOR ABOUT 20 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10825056 at NHTSA ↗