2011 Dodge Ram 5500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (8) · Engine (3) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 5500 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 (204)
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 204 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-22 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · 14,700 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 5500. the contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide an adequate owner’s manual that referenced the torque required on the lug nuts for the vehicle. the contact stated that the lug nuts were torqued very tightly during the manufacturing process. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 21v398000 (w…”
2018-03-22 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v821000 (power train) months ago. the manufacturer had not supplied the part to the dealer. the dealer (jeff wyler eastgate auto mall, 513-752-3447) was called and could not determine when the parts would become available to schedule the recall repai…”
2017-09-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the metal stem that is connected to the plastic housing acts as a guide for the springing action of the sender. as the fuel pump heated up, indicated by the black area on the fuel sender, it heated the metal tube and burned a hole through the tank. this caused a leak in the fuel tank and a spill of fuel in excess of 25 gallons at a gas station.…”
2017-05-03 · Engine · 77,093 mi“diesel exhaust fluid (def) system failure. engine light came on with warning to have serviced or vehicle would not start after xx miles. was def system, pipe, injector, and sensors.…”
2016-04-12 · Engine · 11,913 mi“-control modules require updates (ecm and tcm) which you have to pay $120.00 for the updates. it may cause drivability issues. -intake tube clamps need replacing which you can't buy the clamp you have to purchase the intake hose for $379.92.…”
2016-02-15 · Unknown Or Other · 103,782 mi“while driving, at random, a warning will display stating the following: "service def system. engine will not start at 200 miles. see dealer" this has happened 10 or more times since we purchased the truck. we have the same problem with another 2011 dodge ram 5500 which we purchased with this one. when we bring it to the dealer, they cant give…”
2016-01-05 · Unknown Or Other“this vehicle is on the buy back program. chryslers 3rd party took several months to file the paperwork with a preliminary offer of 35 thousand dollars on the buy back. at the time they guaranteed that price and that it could not be lowered. now they are coming back and offering 24k for the same vehicle and are refusing to speak to us under any c…”
2015-06-01 · Fuel System, Diesel · 🔥 fire“2011 dodge ram 5500. attorney representing consumer writes in regards to vehicle fire and diesel fuel heater electrical connector recall notice. *smd…”
2015-05-12 · Engine · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owned a 2011 dodge ram 5500. the contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire under the front of the vehicle near the engine compartment. the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. the vehicle was destroyed. it was unknown if a police and a fire report were filed. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v63…”
2015-04-30 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and 13v527000(steering); however, the parts needed to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.