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
689 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Jan 13, 2024
Rear axle spindle started to grind then locked up and ripped assembly housing apart. Recall on certain trucks of same year same model
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2024
My truck stalled on I26 in Johnson City; I was able to get to the shoulder and was able to get it started again, and it seemed to work ok. After that I started having issues with it not starting, but if I turned the key off, and tried again it would start. I searched the internet and found that the TIPM module in this model truck is the culprit for this issue and that there is a "work around that is sold on EBAY and other sites where the fuel pump relay is bypassed by using a wire and providing power to the fuel pump from the battery voltage of the ACC side of the switch. Last week I turned the truck off, and all electrical functions stopped working it was as if my battery was gone. After another internet search, this issue leads back to the TIPM module and to my surprise I found a recall 14V115 on the 2011 2012Dodge Durango and Jeep for the exact same issues that I am experiencing with my truck. As I continued to search, I found MANY repair facilities that can "fix" this problem in their shops. I believe based on what I have been told that this TIPM is the same for the RAM truck series also. Can you please let me know why DODGE RAM has not added this model to their recall; I talked to their customer recall support and the answer I got was I'm sorry sir, but your model truck isn't covered under that recall # it is the Durango and Jeep models only; and that was it. Thanks for your investigation into this matter for all of the RAM owners out there. Be safe on the road and thank you for watching out for the consumer.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 17, 2023
This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to cross an intersection, I lost all steering control and the truck shut down mid turn in the middle of the intersection. This left the truck immobilized in the intersection and facing into oncoming traffic. Following each incident, I put the truck in park and restart it as if there was no issue. There are no warning lights that appear prior to any of the incidents that would indicate an issue and the instrument panel goes dark each time the issue occurs. This is going to get me and/or my family killed one of these days. I have researched this online and there are countless reports from other 2011 Ram owners experiencing the same exact issue. How has a safety recall not been issued for this?
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2023
Cranks but don’t start at times. After doing lots of research I think the tipm is going out and will leave me stranded. Repair shop cannot find a problem
Electrical system, Nov 28, 2023
TIPM... Integrated Fuel Pump Relay, intermittent condition causes the truck to stall this is a common complaint and a significant cost to repair. Vehicle hard starts and stalls several times during inclement weather / cold starts and is an active concern while driving the vehicle. Fuel pump relay bypass is the only affordable fix as the relay is connected directly to the TIPM. No warning lights indicate any failure. Vehicle has been to dealer but due to the intermittent condition it was not repeatable at that time. This condition was investigated in 2014 but continues to be a problem. Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango both had recalls on this TIPM but due to the reporting statistics within NHTSA this vehicle was not included in the recall.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 27, 2023, fire
Engine compartment caught fire while driving. Could not put out fire vehicle was total loss.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2023
MOTOR CRANKS BUT DOES NOT TURN OVER. TRY MULTIPLE TIMES FINALLY IT WILL START. JUMPED THE FUEL PUMP FUSE IN TIPM TO EMPTY SLOT AND IT STARTS NORMAL 50% OF THE TIME. READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AND HISTORY OF RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT THIS MODEL. UNACCEPTABLE. SLEW OF OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE: RADIO CHANGING STATIONS AND SAVING CURRENT STATION TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS WITHOUT TOUCHING SCREEN, POWER WINDOW SWITCHES STOP WORKING UNLESS UNPLUGGED THEN RECONNECTED FIRST, HEAD/TAIL/BACK-UP LIGHTS GOING OUT THEN BACK ON
Engine, Oct 4, 2023
DODGE RAM EXHUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AND NOW ITS COSTING ME ALMOST $3000 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED WHEN DODGE SHOULD OF KNOWN THAT YOU CAN NOT PUT STEEL AND ALUMINUM TOGETHER
Forward collision avoidance, Aug 12, 2023
Abs light, Traction control light and service Four-wheel drive light comes on randomly, it also cancels the cruise control when the lights come on.
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH at nighttime, the headlight turned off independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the taillight turned off intermittently and the rear driver’s and the front passenger’s turn signal light was flashing quickly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that several weeks later after parking the vehicle and returning a minute later to restart the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormally loud sound and the vehicle turned off. The contact exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw battery acid all over the hood. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact called a tow truck company and was provided a temporary battery. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an electronic failure and the contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,380.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2023
Unknown
Engine, Jul 6, 2023
Exhaust manifold bolts breaking and leaking due to exhaust manifold is warping under high heat. Company will not repair this problem. As it is a recurring issue known as the hemi tick. With exhaust gas leaking at the manifold causing carbon monoxide to enter cab or vehicle. Before exiting the rear of the vehicle as designed.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 5, 2023
My truck has the same Fuse box assembly that several other dodge jeep vehicles have that the fuel pump relay shorts out while driving yet none of yalls recalls include my specific vehicle so that I can get my truck fixed under the multiple recalls yall have issued for this exact problem, dodge should be held liable for their mistakes not the consumers who are having to pay to fix the issue out of pocket simply because y'all didn't include our vehicles in the recall, my vehicle has shorted out many times almost causing us to nearly have multiple wrecks
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
Tires, Jun 21, 2023
TOYO OPEN COUNTRY XTREAM AT2 - LT 275 / 85 R 17 LOAD RANGE E. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TIRES SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN 1000 MILES OF EACH OTHER. TIRE ARE NEARING THE END OF LIFE WITH APPROX 7500 MILES REMAINING UNTIL THEY MUST BE REPLACED. TREAD WEAR INDICATORS ARE STILL BELOW THE TREAD ON THE TIRES. TIRES ARE RUN AT PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE ON HEAVY DUTY PICKUP AT 75 PSI. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AS BECAUSE I NOTICED BOTH TIRES BEING OUT OF ROUND BEFORE THEY FAILED.
Power train, Jun 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the rear pinion nut detached. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle was seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2023
1. Finding my truck with a dead battery, a lot. Found out that fuel pump is running constantly when truck is off. 2. Dead truck, no start. 3. Yes. 4. No. 5. None.
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2023
RAM 1500 shuts off randomly. Many people on-line are showing this problem on multiple model years. The WIN module (ignition switch) contacts fail and causes the vehicle to shut down in the midst of driving. I've had it shut down on me 3 times at highway speeds. I've nearly been hit twice because the vehicle just shuts off as if I had turned the key off. It is a well documented issue.
Power train, Apr 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on various occasions after turning off the vehicle and removing the key from the ignition, the gear shifter inadvertently shifted from the park(P) to neutral(N). No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
Engine, Mar 28, 2023
There was complete Cam and Lifter failure and it can be inspected. I was driving on the freeway and suddenly all power was lost and the truck started shaking. Once we got off the freeway, the truck started shaking horribly when we hit 3k RPM. We became an obstruction in the road and driving was dangerous. It is reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. It has been inspected. The check engine went on the same time the truck started shaking.
Suspension, Mar 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel bearing was defective. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Power train, Feb 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while her husband was driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2023
With no warning the TIPM malfunctioned leaving my truck in a crank with no start scenario and stranded. Then my starter died trying to resolve. Starter replaced and mechanic found the TIPM fuel relay corroded and malfunctioning. Chrysler dealers tell me no new TIPM is available as far as they can search across Canada and they have no ETA when they expect availability of the part. So now I can’t even repair the truck? Every other 2011 Chrysler / Jeep / Dodge had been recalled for the EXACT same part back in 2014-2015 investigation. Why was the 2011 Ram truck excluded from this recall??? A few searches online and it’s evident the majority of 2011 ram owners have run into this issue, and lots of reporting of it. So now I have a vehicle that has 0 parts available to fix (straight from multiple Chrysler dealers parts dept) and is pretty much only good to be used as a paper weight now and I have to look at buying another vehicle because this part isn’t even available? A Recall should be issued for the TIPM is 2011 ram and/or if this part is not available, fair market value buy back from Chrysler/FCA should be mandated, and they can buy back this paperweight of a truck I am now stuck with no solution to even get it repaired with new OEM parts.
Engine, Jan 12, 2023
The camshaft has balded on one of the cylinders. I first said I had a check engine light with a P0303 code. I replaced the spark plugs, the ignition coils, the fuel injector, and even the PCM. None of that fixed it. I was driving on the freeway when it started flashing the check engine light and the car lost all power so the RPMs don't like to go over 3k. The check engine light still flashes like crazy every time I turn it on and even touch the gas. I checked the vacuum lines and sensors and air lines. They are all perfect. Then I checked the compression and it is less than half of what it is supposed to be on just one cylinder. I looked at the camshaft and found that it was bald and not creating compression that way. I did some research on some forums and found this is really common for this year of Ram. This made it undrivable and unsafe without power. I haven't taken it to a dealership yet because I don't think I should pay for something that is a car malfunction across the board. https://www.ramforumz.com/threads/ram-hemi-cam-lifter-failure-thread.188978/
Structure, Dec 20, 2022
The tailgate fell open when accelerating after stopping at a stoplight. It had been securely closed for 4 hours of driving without stopping with no interaction.