2011 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
688 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
75,279 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 490 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 209 of 688 complaints (30.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 151 | 21.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 97 | 14.1% |
| Engine operation | 78 | 11.3% |
| Braking behavior | 61 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 54 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 25 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 209 |
| Power Train | 167 |
| Engine | 151 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 128 |
| Unknown Or Other | 46 |
| Steering | 43 |
| Exterior Lighting | 26 |
| Suspension | 26 |
Electrical System: 209; Power Train: 167; Engine: 151; Fuel/Propulsion System: 128; Unknown Or Other: 46; Steering: 43; Exterior Lighting: 26; Suspension: 26
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 86 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 67 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 87 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 79 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 139 |
| 150,000 and above | 32 |
Under 25,000: 86; 25,000 to 49,999: 67; 50,000 to 74,999: 87; 75,000 to 99,999: 79; 100,000 to 149,999: 139; 150,000 and above: 32
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (139). 198 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 | 34 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 100 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 87 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2017 | 62 |
| 2018 | 83 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2011: 34; 2012: 14; 2013: 100; 2014: 41; 2015: 87; 2016: 61; 2017: 62; 2018: 83; 2019: 71; 2020: 45; 2021: 22; 2022: 20; 2023: 22; 2024: 14; 2025: 7; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 151 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 97 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 78 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10374845 · 2011-01-05 (January 5, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE WOULD ROLL THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY ALMOST CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,300. BW UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10374845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10380907 · 2011-02-06 (February 6, 2011)
BRAKE FAILURE AFTER "SERV 4WD" INDICATOR APPEARS. WAS OPERATING IN 2WD MODE, TRAVELING AT APX 30MPH WHEN AFTER BRAKES APPLIED THE VEHICLE LOST GRIP AND SLIDE. "SERV 4WD" ILLUMINATED AND HAD NO BRAKE POWER, USE EMER TO STOP. SHUTODD ENGINE, RESTARTED AND MESSAGE WAS GONE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,656 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10381439 · 2011-02-10 (February 10, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ICY ROAD THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALSO BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395781 · 2011-04-13 (April 13, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING STARTED TO GET LOOSE AND THE WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TIE RODE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) FOR THE 4500 AND 5500 MODEL, BUT NOT THE 2500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395982 · 2011-04-15 (April 15, 2011)
THERE WERE NO SPECIAL EVENTS BEFORE PROBLEM SHOWED UP, OTHER THAN THE ENGINE MUST ATTAIN NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRAVELING , UPHILL-DOWNHILL- OR ON LEVEL, IF YOU ARE ABOVE 45MPH AND YOU STOP APPLYING GAS PEDAL TO COAST. THE VEHICLE WILL COAST UNTIL YOU REACH APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AT WHICH TIME THE TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. THIS CAUSES AN ABRUPT SLOWING WITHOUT ALERTING VEHICLE BEHIND YOU. THIS COULD IN EFFECT CAUSE A REAR COLLISION BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTIVATED, AND THE GEARING IS LOW IN REA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10398770 · 2011-05-03 (May 3, 2011)
THE PROBLEM IS... THE REAR AXLE PINION BEARING ON YOUR TRUCK (VIN: [VIN removed]) MAY NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE LUBRICATION UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS LACK OF LUBRICATION CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PINION BEARING TO SEIZE AND CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. DODGE ONLY ALLOWS THE DEALER TO DO 2 OF THESE RECALLS A MONTH. SO MY DODGE TRUCK CAN NOT BE FIXED FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. I AM AT RISK OF MY TRUCK SEIZING UP AND LOOSING CONTROL. DODGE NEEDS TO ALLOW THE DEALERS TO DO MORE THEN 2 A MONTH. OR EXCEPT ALL LI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10398770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399066 · 2011-05-04 (May 4, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THEY RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V656000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: SPINDLE) AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WOULD TAKE 7-8 MONTHS BEFORE THE REPAIR COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD DUE TO THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN PRODUCTION, THEY WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO SEND OUT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PARTS TO DEALERSHIPS PER MONTH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,618.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,618 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399526 · 2011-05-09 (May 9, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V656000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE ONCE A MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399526 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V656000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Spindle
Reported: 2010-12-24 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V038000 · Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
Reported: 2013-02-06 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V821000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 2017-12-20 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V160000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2018-03-08 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗