2011 Dodge RAM 5500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10474198 · 2012-09-07 (September 7, 2012)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WE TOOK IT IN TO GO ARAPAHOE DODGE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE NOT SURE IF SOMETHING IS WRONG W/ THE ENGINE BECAUSE DODGE CAN NOT GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. THE WARRANTY WE CURRENTLY POSSESS IS ONLY APPLICABLE UNTIL WE REACH 100,000 MILES. WE THINK DODGE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496091 · 2013-02-01 (February 1, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW HIS CASE AND CONTACT HIM BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496091 at NHTSA ↗
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 10543503 · 2013-09-13 (September 13, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE STEERING CYLINDER TO BEND. AS A RESULT, THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AND THE STEERING CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,621 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552666 · 2013-11-18 (November 18, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED DUE TO A SHEERED OUTER BOLT JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,908.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,908 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566440 · 2014-02-28 (February 28, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10566440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10592399 · 2014-05-19 (May 19, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592399 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.
13V527000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. 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: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, 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 R16.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V635000 · Fuel System, Diesel | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V739000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
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.
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 ↗