2011 Dodge RAM 5500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
46,811 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 22 complaints (45.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 36.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
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 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
Steering: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 10 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 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10504377 · 2013-03-25 (March 25, 2013)
DRIVER WAS TRAVELING EAST ON NICHOLSON LANE, SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO NEBEL ST. AT WHICH TIME HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH OR LESS. THE DRIVER MADE THE TURN AND LOST STEERING ON THE 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 AND WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC ON NEBEL ST. STRIKING 3 VEHICLES. THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE ACCIDENT TO BE A MECHANICAL FAILURE. A CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT WAS NOT. THIS IS THE SECOND 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 THAT HAS HAD THE SAME FAILURE. BOTH RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS ACCIDENT INVOLVED OTHER PEOPLE AND P…
Owner-reported narrative. 172,448 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10535322 · 2013-08-14 (August 14, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE TIE ROD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10983231 · 2017-05-03 (May 3, 2017)
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) SYSTEM FAILURE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH WARNING TO HAVE SERVICED OR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER XX MILES. WAS DEF SYSTEM, PIPE, INJECTOR, AND SENSORS.
Owner-reported narrative. 77,093 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030505 · 2017-09-29 (September 29, 2017)
THE METAL STEM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING ACTS AS A GUIDE FOR THE SPRINGING ACTION OF THE SENDER. AS THE FUEL PUMP HEATED UP, INDICATED BY THE BLACK AREA ON THE FUEL SENDER, IT HEATED THE METAL TUBE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE TANK. THIS CAUSED A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND A SPILL OF FUEL IN EXCESS OF 25 GALLONS AT A GAS STATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11030505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10720913 · 2015-06-01 (June 1, 2015)
2011 DODGE RAM 5500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10720913 at NHTSA ↗