2011 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 2500 years
- About as many complaints as other years 9th of 18 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 298 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge RAM 2500. That ranks 9th out of 18 RAM 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (210 complaints, 70%), typically at around 38,500 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 298owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2011 Dodge RAM 2500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 210 | 70% | 38,500 | “tie rod” (20%) | — |
| Suspension | 37 | 12% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 29 | 10% | 67,523 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 24 | 8% | 69,023 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 17 | 6% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 16 | 5% | 44,761 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 4% | 24,375 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 10 | 3% | 47,260 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 2% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 2% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 | 1% | 79,497 | — | — |
| Wheels | 4 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 1% | 38,136 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 1% | 38,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1% | 35,025 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 1% | 25,545 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0% | 104,995 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 0% | 19,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 11,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2011 Dodge RAM 2500 recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: 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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel; fuel system, diesel
Problem: 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
Problem: 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 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 N49.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: 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 customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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.
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…
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…
Warped head / blown head gasket
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…
Other Dodge RAM 2500 years
← 2010 RAM 2500 · 2012 RAM 2500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 2500 | 283 | 4 |
| 2011 | 298 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM 2500 | 236 | 4 |
| 2009 RAM 2500 | 214 | 5 |
| 2008 RAM 2500 | 317 | 7 |
| 2007 RAM 2500 | 361 | 8 |
| 2006 RAM 2500 | 670 | 6 |
| 2005 RAM 2500 | 422 | 6 |
| 2004 RAM 2500 | 582 | 6 |
| 2003 RAM 2500 | 661 | 6 |
| 2002 RAM 2500 | 155 | 0 |
| 2001 RAM 2500 | 469 | 1 |
| 2000 RAM 2500 | 211 | 1 |
| 1999 RAM 2500 | 313 | 0 |
| 1998 RAM 2500 | 225 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 2500 | 213 | 0 |
| 1996 RAM 2500 | 291 | 0 |
| 1995 RAM 2500 | 267 | 0 |
See all Dodge RAM 2500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge RAM 2500?
Owners most often report steering, suspension, engine problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 210 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Dodge RAM 2500?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2011 Dodge RAM 2500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 2500 model years, the 2011 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.