2011 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND A HOLE IN THE CONDENSOR LINE BEHIND THE OPENING IN THE FRONT BUMPER WHERE THE RADIATOR, A/C COOLING LINES, TRANSMISION COOLER ALL SIT EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS, SUCH AS ROCKS, DEBRIS OR ANY OTHER SHARP OBJECT THAT MAY ENTER THROUGH THE OPENING STRIKING THE CRITICAL POWERTRAIN COOLERS. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND MAY BE CLAIMED ON YOUR VEHICLE INSURANCE. THERE IS NO PROTECTION ON THIS OPEN LOWER AREA, WHERE THE RADIATOR IS PROTECTED BY THE VEHICLE FRONT GRIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411974 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE 3500 MEGACAB 4X4. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND AS HE STEERED TO THE RIGHT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILURE WAS AN INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443299 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2011-07-06 (July 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: 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.

Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 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: 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.

Reported: 2014-10-08 (October 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: 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.

Reported: 2016-10-13 (October 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: 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.

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.