2011 Dodge Ram 4500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (7) · Suspension (3) · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 4500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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.
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2016-10-13 · campaign 16V739000 · 74,811 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
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 13V527000 · 36,151 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. 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: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, 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
Service bulletins (236)
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
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100653 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Electrical System 2025-07-28 · 106241 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-06-12 · 104974 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Showing the 6 most recent of 236 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-02-09 · Steering · 46,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 4500. the contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the water pump failed which caused the serpentine belt to fracture. the fractured serpentine belt caused the loss of power steering and the vehicle could not be stopped for about 20 miles. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made a…”
2015-10-05 · Steering“took truck in for repair. didn't have parts. said would call when got in. never called. afraid to drive…”
2015-07-31 · Service Brakes · 130,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 4500. while driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 130,000.…”
2015-05-04 · Suspension“this recall was issued in may or june 2014 and the dealer still doesn't have the parts. says they are on back-order. *tr…”
2014-10-28 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly“tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 4500. the contact received a notification for a manufacturer recall related to the driver side tie rod. the parts needed were not available. the dealer stated that the parts were still not available. the manufacturer was made aware of the delay. the contact had not experienced a failure. the nhtsa campaign numb…”
2014-10-03 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 4500. the contact received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign number: 13v527000 (steering). however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the con…”
2014-09-12 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 4500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 13v527000 (steering) but the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact had not expe…”
2014-08-13 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 4500. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 13v527000 (steering); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. the manufacturer was notified. the contact had not experienced a failure. …”
2014-06-30 · Service Brakes · 58,352 mi · 💥 crash“our delivery driver was returning to shop after a delivery. he was on the highway and driving approximately 65 mph. he noticed that the brake pedal was becoming very hard when he pushed on it, resulting in a loss of braking power, he had no brakes. he then shut the truck off and started to coast with it, gradually slowing. a minivan stopped abruptl…”
2014-06-18 · Suspension · 87,000 mi“dodge has refused to replaced the critical part as indicated in the recall. i was notified by dodge early in 2014 about the recall. dealer said that replacement would be made in may 2014. when contacted in may dealer said the replacement would not be made until september 2014. truck has a serious pull to the right side and shows extreme wear o…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.