2011 Dodge Ram 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (151) · Fuel/Propulsion System (107) · Engine (95)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
491 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2018-03-08 · campaign 18V160000 · 218,617 vehicles
Defect: 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, p
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
Defect: 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 op
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2013-02-06 · campaign 13V038000 · 278,674 vehicles
Defect: 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 Janua
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 option
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle 2010-12-24 · campaign 10V656000 · 60,382 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (250)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-07-28 · 106241 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-06-12 · 104974 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-05-01 · 103774 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-05 · 25-009-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"dual evap system extreme duty vapor canister filter kit customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving conditions can plug the single oe filter system and may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination. upon further investigation the t
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System 2024-07-19 · S2408000078 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacement totally integrated power module (tipm) displays incorrect vehicle identification number (vin) current and active
Showing the 6 most recent of 250 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-18 · Power Train · 250,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. the contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, and there was a loud popping and breaking sound coming from underneath the vehicle, causing the rear wheels to lock up. upon …”
2026-07-09 · Service Brakes“refused to perform recall t79 and customer satisfaction notice l41 emmisons. received text message as evidence that said they are not obligated to repair my vehicle under recall, and that i would have to pay for the repairs.…”
2026-03-30 · Electrical System · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. the vehicle was taken to a dealer to purchase a new camper. while the vehicle was parked, the dealer made the contact aware that the passenger’s side turn signal and brake lights were inoperable on the rear towing electrical system, and that the integrated fuse box needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not r…”
2026-03-30 · Power Train · 134,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the motor mounts were old and fractured. the independent mechanic suggested that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the repair. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that th…”
2026-01-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there are multiple electrical issues i’ve had to trouble shoot over the past 4 months. as i’ve researched other people with the same issues online, i’ve bee seeing a lot about some recalls pertaing to electrical issues and fuel issues and so i am wondering if there are prior recalls that i might need to have taken care of which i feel could fix my …”
2026-01-05 · Air Bags · 172,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 ram 1500. the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 172,000.…”
2025-12-06 · Steering“i was driving my 2001 dodge ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. my husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. i am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. traffic backed up behind me before i could put on …”
2025-10-22 · Suspension · 125,000 mi“the contact's son owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding and rubbing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake service. the contact stated that while the v…”
2025-08-11 · Vehicle Speed Control“driving my vehicle throughout december of 2024 and the vehicle would die and power back up, vehicle would run intermittently and fail to continue operating while driving to and from work. vehicle intermittently stalling during driving would cause "near miss" accidents on the road. potentially endangering myself as the operator and other operators o…”
2025-07-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my 2011 ram 1500 5.7l has a faulty tipm. fuel pump cuts out, causing stalling and intermittent operation, starting vehicle becomes problematic while commuting. vehicle will sometimes not start at all and will remain stuck in an ignition loop. continues to throw random check engine codes. i have had several near miss collisions while driving due t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.