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: steering
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Dec 31, 2015
MY TRUCK HAD 34,754 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD BOTH OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WELL AS THE LEFT STRUT. I FIND THESE PARTS FAILING THIS EARLY TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. CHRYSLER/RAM REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFICIAL WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER. I REQUESTED A REVIEW AS I FEEL MY TRUCK WAS BUILD WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS. AS CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS SITUATION.
Steering, Wheels, Sep 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO OTHER LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
Steering, Sep 12, 2015
VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AS I WAS DRIVING FROM MY HOME.
Steering, Aug 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Steering, Aug 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2015
SAFETY RECALL N08 / NHTSA 13V-038 REAR AXLE PINION NUT I HAD MY VEHICLE CALLED IN FOR A RECALL AFTER PURCHASE AT THE END OF 2013. EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD SHAKY AND JERKY STEERING AT TIMES ESPECIALLY AT A HIGHWAY RATE OF SPEED (55-70 MPH). I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO FINANCES AND MY WARRANTY IS NO LONER VALID. AFTER READING THE RECALL DETAILS NOW I AM ASSUMING THIS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE. AFTER READING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO LONER ALLOW MY 1 YEAR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2015
PURCHASED TRUCK 2/7/15. NOTICED IT DRIFTED AND PULLED. TOOK TRUCK BACK FOR SERVICE TWICE. WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPEC. THE SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO DIFFERENT TIRE TREAD DEPTHS. THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW, INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. NOW STILL THE TRUCK FEELS VERY UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD, CONSTANTLY WEAVING LEFT TO RIGHT. WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT END IS COMING APART. MY TRUCK WAS EVIDENTLY PART OF THE "AXEL RECALL" WHICH IS NOW PART OF THIS LARGE FIASCO REQUIRING THE TRUCK BE BOUGHT BACK FROM ME BUT I CANNOT GET A HOLD OF FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 9, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS MY TRUCK COMPLETLY SHUT OFF, I LOST POWER TO EVERYTHING, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I HAD PREVIOUS HAD MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL PUMP STAYING ON AND LEARNED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) WHICH CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF AND HAS RECALLS FOR SOME VEHICLES IN CERTIN STATES. THE SYMTOMS MY TRUCK IS HAVING IS THE SAME LISTED IN MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS, IE. VEHICLES RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, FUEL PUMP STAYING ON AND DRAINING THE BATTERIES, AIR BAGS RANDOMLY DEPLOYING. AFTER RESEARCHING MULTIPLE FOURMS AND WEBSITE I FOUND ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG CHRYSLER VEHICLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED DUE TO FAULTY PARTS AND EQUIPMENT.
Steering, May 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE REVERSING, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Mar 17, 2015
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE FOR THE FRONT END. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT EITHER 35, 45, 55, 65 OR 75 IT WOBBLES, VIBRATES SOMETHING FIERCE AND THEN IT SEEMS YOU REACH A CERTAIN DISTANCE AT THAT SPEED OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND BAM IT FINE FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN. AND IT WILL GET TO THE POINT THAT YOU SMELL AXLE GEAR OIL. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS CHANGED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IF IT WERE TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE BRING IT BACK MADE THE SAME WOBBLE NOISE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER PLACE THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING (SAME ONE) AND THE WHOLE FRONT AXLE AND SAID IT WAS FIXED, I TOOK IT HOME AND LOW AND BEHOLD SAME PROBLEM. NO I AM TRYING TO HAVE THE LAST PLACE FIX WHAT HE DIDN'T FIX AND I AM CATCHING A NIGHTMARE TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THAT GUY BECAUSE EVERYTIME HE SAYS SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO BRING THE VEHICLE BY NO ONE IS THERE. *TR
Steering, Jan 30, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Oct 24, 2014
TOOK TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. ADVISED THAT BOTH TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED REPLACEMENT QUICKLY. RESEARCHED INFO AND FOUND AUTOTRADER.COM STATING RECALL COMING SOON FOR 240K TRUCKS. CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE IS NOT RECALLED AT THIS TIME. AS A MECHANIC WITH 30 PLUS YRS EXPERIENCE I WILL NOT HESITATE TO REPLACE THESE PARTS AND HOPE THAT THE NHTSA AND CHRYSLER ACT AS QUICKLY IN RECALLING THESE VEHICLES. *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
Steering, Mar 12, 2014
2011 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEFT TIE ROD RECALL NOTICE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER HE SHOULD EXPECT TO WAIT TWENTY WEEKS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE.
Steering, Sep 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE, THE TIE ROD FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED TO PERFORM A FULL ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,644. UPDATED 12/04/13*LJ UPDATED 12/6/2013 *JS
Steering, Oct 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 9, 2011
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY PULLING OUR GOOSENECK TRAILER I HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE I HIT THE BUMP THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RIPPED FROM MY HANDS. I COULD NOT HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY MADE THE TRUCK JERK TO ONE SIDE VERY QUICKLY. ALL I COULD DO WAS DOWN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION AND USE THE TRAILER BRAKES LIGHTLY TO SLOW DOWN. I HAD NO STEERING CONTROL AT ALL. WHILE SLOWING DOWN I RAN 3 CARS OFF THE ROAD ON TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK AT ALL. I COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED MYSELF AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT TIME. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT STANLEY-LYND AUTOPLEX IN CAMERON TEXAS UNDERGOING "REPAIRS". THE SERVICE MANAGER, MECHANIC AND THE DEALERSHIP OWNER ALL STATED AND AGREED THAT THERE IS NO KNOWN CAUSE AND NO KNOWN REPAIR TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS LIFE AND SAFETY HAZARD. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO DO THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" AS IT WAS NAMED AT THE DEALERSHIP AT ANYTIME THE TRUCK ENCOUNTERED A BUMP, EXPANSION JOINT OR UN EVEN PAVEMENT.
Steering, May 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 10V616000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID), THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER TO SET UP A APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS ON BACKORDER AND THEY WOULD ONLY RECEIVE ONE PART EACH MONTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR TIME WAS UNREASONABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Steering, Apr 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