2011 Dodge Ram 2500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (176) · Suspension (34) · Fuel/Propulsion System (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 2500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
149 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
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.
Fuel System, Diesel 2014-10-08 · campaign 14V635000 · 315,325 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V529000 · 271,733 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. 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
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2011-07-06 · campaign 11V350000 · 242,780 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTO
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (275)
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.
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 275 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-20 · Engine · 🔥 fire“vehicle was parked and turned off for 4 days. spontaneously combusted from the engine bay. local fire department extinguished. no open recalls found, indicating an un-fused component failure.…”
2025-06-06 · Electrical System“approximatly 6 years ago my tipm failed on my 2011 dodge ram 2500. it was not under warrenty so i replaced it myself not knowing this was an ongoing problem with dodge products. my tipm is again failing. what can be done with it? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2024-11-12 · Steering“the steering became uncontrollable and wobbled so violently i could not keep my hands on the wheel. it will be open for inspection at any time. the safety of all other road users and pedestrians were put in grave danger. due to the complete loss of steering control. this has happened to other ram owners i have talked with as well. the probl…”
2024-08-30 · Power Train“warped head / blown head gasket …”
2024-03-23 · Steering“yesterday, 3/22/2024, i was driving northbound on i-15, fat left lane, approx. 80 mph/posted highway speed. suddenly lost steering control on my 2011 dodge ram 2500 cummins diesel truck. front end/tires began vibrating, all steering control lost, truck veered to the right across 3 lanes of traffic and off into the dirt/sage brush to the right of t…”
2022-11-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“some electrical components became inoperative in the quick minute. fuel pump was running continuedly till the battery was drained. mechanic, i had used before told me that the tipm module was defective and needed replaced. truck just before the battery died was that not all eletronic's were working. interior lights, horn, cruise control, fobs not r…”
2022-02-24 · Electrical System“driving on the highway doing about 100km per hour and the truck shut off. no noise or anything it just died, no steering etc. luckily i was able to slow down and safely get to the side of the road. put in park and it started up again fine. a few weeks later the same thing happened while drive 60km per hour. i took it home and appears the key is a…”
2021-09-07 · Tires“i was driving at the speed limit on the highway, normal day, and i notice a sudden vibration started to feel worst and worst, so i got out of the highway and notice one of the tires deformed on the contact part of the tire, the belt is coming off , i drove home city roads and next day took it to my mechanic shop , the issue is confirmed , i talke…”
2021-04-29 · Power Train · 325,000 mi · 🔥 fire“transfer case exploded while driving down the road…”
2021-01-13 · Steering · 75,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 2500. the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph and making a left turn, the braking system malfunctioned and the vehicle would not immediately slow down. additionally, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. the contact indicated that the failure had occurred…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.