2011 Ram 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 689 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 17 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 28 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V160000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V821000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, differential unitFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V038000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleDec 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.
A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V656000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 26, 2023
The exhaust manifold cracked, the electrical system, supplying gas to the engine, is built into the fuse box, which is unfixable without replacing the entire fuse box. Valve on engine became extremely noisy and I’ve had to be replaced
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 25, 2020
THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS SHORTED OUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND MELTS ALL WIRING IN THE AREA. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH RAM IN THE 2011 YEARS. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSIONS START SHIFTING SUPER HARD INTO GEAR AND JERKS THE WHOLE TRUCK REALLY BAD.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 26, 2019
DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WILL RANDOMLY COME BACK ON. AFTER REPLACING BULBS & ENTIRE HEADLIGHT UNIT ISSUE CONTINUES. FAULTY TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) SEEMS TO BE TO BLAME.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Nov 14, 2018
WHEN YOU START THE TRUCK, THE ASB LIGHT COMES ON. THE WIPERS, A/C, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, AND POWER LOCKS WILL NOT WORK. IF YOU LET THE TRUCK RUN FOR ABOUT 5 MINS, YOU HEAR A 'DING' AND EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING AGAIN AND THE ASB LIGHT GOES OUT. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS IN PARK. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICAL BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE IF IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE OR AT NIGHT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jan 3, 2018
IN AUGUST 2017 A DEFECTIVE ROLLER BEARING WENT OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, EFFECTIVELY DESTROYING THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. COST TO REPAIR WAS $4,000. IN DECEMBER 2017 TIPM POWER MODULE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO NOT WORK. COST TO REPLACE $1,150. BOTH ITEMS HAVE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BEING DEFECTIVE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Nov 15, 2017
THE TRUCK TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DURING NIGHT OR DAY. SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD CAUSE A SHORT. MY TRUCK ISN'T THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES IT I SPOKE TO OTHER DODGE OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 11, 2016
THE TIPM OUR DODGE TRUCK IS FAULTY. IT HAS ISSUES STARTING, THE LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING, THE LIGHTS ON DASH COME ON, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OIL JUST DISAPPEARING, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THAT SEVERAL VEHICLES UNDER CHRYSLER AND DODGE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH FAULTY TIPM AND THERE WAS EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT,BUT THE NHTSA FELT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH OF AN ISSUE WITH THE DODGE RAMS TO PUSH FOR A RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE PUSHED FOR A RECALL. THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING IN A LOT OF RAMS AND THEY ARE PASSED THE WARRANTY AND WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW WARRANTY THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED. ALL EXPENSES ARE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER AND DODGE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF FOR YEARS. OUR DODGE RAM HAS BEEN AT THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES WITH ISSUES AND THEY DID NOT TELL US ONCE ABOUT THE TIPM ISSUES. WE HAD TO FIGURE IT OUT OURSELVES WITH INTERNET RESEARCH. A CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE PAYING CLOSE TO OR OVER $2,000 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY NEW WAS A DEFECT OR FAULTY. SEVERAL MILLION DODGE RAM OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE REPORTED IT ACCORDING TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE NHTSA. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY CUSTOMERS ARE BEING PUNISHED TO PROTECT THE MANUFACTURER'S MISTAKES. OUR DODGE HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP IN THE PAST YEAR THEN WITH US. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS.
Exterior lighting, May 3, 2016
TIPM CAUSES BOTH HI AND LOW BEAMS ON PASSENGER SIDE TO GO OUT. BULBS ARE FINE. WHEN TRUCK IS STARTED OR EVEN REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK ONLY DRIVERS LIGHTS FLASH AT FIRST LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES ON THE ROAD, NOW THEY STAY OFF AND HAVEN'T CAME BACK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS
Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2016
HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION POOR ON LOW & HIGH BEAMS.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Apr 14, 2016
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED LAST NOVEMBER. THE FACTORY WINDSHIELD IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH AT NIGHT, AND IF WE'RE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT, WHAT LITTLE VISIBILITY THERE IS. IS LIMITED TO LESS THAN 50 FEET. THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN COOS BAY, OREGON SAYS THAT IT'S A FACTORY-INSTALLED WINDSHIELD AND DECLINES TO TAKE ANY FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY. THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT REQUIRES OUR USING THE HIGH BEAMS (WHEN SAFE FOR ONCOMING DRIVERS -- NOT A GOOD MIX.) THE CHRYSLER DEALER IN COOS BAY, OREGON INVESTIGATED THE HEADLIGHTS WITH A VISUAL CHECK, AND SAID THEY'RE "OKAY."
Exterior lighting, Mar 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 04/21/2016*LJ THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND ONLY THEY COULD REPLACE IT. UPDATED 09/07/16.*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2016
EVERYTHING RAN FINE IN THE MORNING, TRUCK SAT FOR A FEW HOURS THEN WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID MOTOR WON'T WORK, POWER LOCKS ARE OUT, HIGH BEAMS WON'T SHUT OFF AT ALL, AND POWER LOCKS ARE OUT AS WELL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2016
TIPM (FUEL PUMP RELAY) DOES NOT LET THE TRUCK START. ITS NOT ALL THE TIME MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER. I HAVE BEEN STUCK OUT WITH THE TRUCK NOT STARTING. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. 1500 TO GET IT REPAIRED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LED COURTESY MIRROR LIGHTS DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME. EVIDENCE OF MOISTURE ON LENSES.
Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2015
HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. EVEN ON BRIGHT LIGHTS, THEY ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. IN SPEAKING WITH OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS, THEY, TOO HAVE SEEN A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT FROM THE REDISIGNED HEADLIGHTS. CANNOT HARDLY SEE 20 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS TRUCK AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Nov 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WITNESSED THE VEHICLE'S HEADLINER BECOMING DAMP WITH WATER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS WATER ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE HEAD REST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THAT THEY WERE WARE OF A THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE THAT ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Oct 29, 2015
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT NORMAL BRIGHTNESS (COMPARED TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN) AND INEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS AND DISCONNECTS AT WILL. HORN SIGNALS AT WILL WITHOUT NOTICE AND EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH KEYS REMOVED. CAUSES GREAT AND FRIGHTENING REACTION OF THIS DRIVER AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2015
DIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ON A VERY DARK NIGHT AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. THANK GOD MY TAIL LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS STILL WORKED OR I MAY HAVE HAD SOMEONE RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE TO HAVE A CAR STOP AND HELP. I FOLLOWED THIS GENTLEMAN THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS USING HIS HEAD LIGHTS AND SIMPLY FOCUSED ON HIS TAIL LIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING, I STARTED MY CAR AND BOTH LIGHTS WERE WORKING AGAIN WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DONE. NOW I HAVE THE LEFT LIGHT THAT IS NOT WORKING AND SUSPECT THAT IT WILL ALSO COME BACK ON WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAY CAUSE SOME TO RUN OFF OF THE ROAD DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. PLEASE ASSIST.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2015
HEADLIGHTS, BOTH LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM WENT OUT AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. BULBS REPLACED, STILL WILL NOT COME ON. TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY ALTHOUGH VEHICLE IS AT A CONSTANT SPEED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2015
THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. IT USUALLY COMES BACK ON WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. NOW IT IS COMPLETELY OUT. A NEW BULB WAS ATTEMPTED BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. ALSO THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSING THE HORN TO ACTIVATE AND VEHICLES LIGHTS TO ALL FLASH. ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE ISSUES ARE GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED MOLD AND MILDEW INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jul 31, 2014
TRUCK WOULD NOT START, WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. NO WARNING LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE) ETC. HAD TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL DEALER, DEALER CONTACTED ME NEXT DAY INFORMING ME IT WAS THE PINION WHATEVER THAT IS. COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER 1200 DOLLARS. FOUND OUT THAT THE PINION IS THE HI TECH NAME FOR THE FUSE BOX THAT'S UNDER THE HOOD. I ASKED TO SEE THE OLD PART AND THE PERSON AT THE PARTS COUNTER STATED THAT THEY CHANGED (3) THREE OF THEM TODAY,.. THAT'S VERY SAD TO HEAR FOR US DODGE OWNERS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 25, 2014
MY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE WHEN TURNING LEFT. I TURN IT DOWN TO SELECT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ANYMORE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 30, 2013
MY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND MY BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIPM OR A FANCY FUSE BOX . MY COMPLAINT IS THAT CHRYSLER IS AT FAULT FOR THIS DEFECT WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE LACK OF LIGHT SIGNALS. THEY NEED TO IDENTIFY AN IMMEDIATE AND A ROBUST FIX TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS IN MY OTHER VEHICLES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LIGHT SIGNALS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 50 YEARS . ANY INVESTIGATION AND FOLLOW UP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 27, 2013
BEGAN WHEN I PURCHASED TRUCK OF INTEGRATED BRAKE FAILURE LATER TURNED INTO BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VISOR SHORT, NEW BRAKE CONTROLLER AND LOTS OF HOURS. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WIPERS COME ON, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, NO TURN SIGNALS (INSIDE OR OUTSIDE) NO HEAT, NO RADIO NO TRAILER BRAKES. NOW VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DODGE FOR 2 WEEKS. THEY REPLACED, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WIRING HARNESS, TPMS AND PROBLEM REMAINS. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS NO INDICATORS AND WIPERS CONSTANTLY ON. PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE AND PLAGUES ME TODAY. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I AM CHARGED 100.00 PER VISIT. CUSTOMER CARE WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH OPTIONS I MUST DICTATE MY CHOICES. TERRIBLE SERVICE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,500.