2011 Dodge RAM 3500 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500, 73% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 42,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “tie rod” (23% of reports).
- 164steering complaints
- 42,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Tie rod: mentioned in 38 of 164 complaints (23%)
- Attempted steering: mentioned in 15 of 164 complaints (9%)
- Since november should: mentioned in 14 of 164 complaints (9%)
- N49 13V: mentioned in 10 of 164 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 65 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 164 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Dodge RAM 3500 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 3500 | 222 | 61% | 27,750 |
| 2011 RAM 3500 | 164 | 73% | 42,000 |
| 2010 RAM 3500 | 92 | 61% | 51,618 |
| 2009 RAM 3500 | 69 | 66% | 48,220 |
| 2008 RAM 3500 | 94 | 54% | 65,000 |
| 2007 RAM 3500 | 88 | 42% | 93,000 |
| 2006 RAM 3500 | 75 | 29% | 97,200 |
| 2005 RAM 3500 | 61 | 31% | 101,800 |
| 2004 RAM 3500 | 41 | 19% | 101,270 |
| 2003 RAM 3500 | 37 | 13% | 80,000 |
| 2002 RAM 3500 | 8 | 18% | 89,250 |
| 2001 RAM 3500 | 17 | 13% | 49,100 |
| 2000 RAM 3500 | 5 | 9% | 137,000 |
| 1999 RAM 3500 | 11 | 11% | 149,312 |
| 1998 RAM 3500 | 8 | 8% | 236,500 |
| 1997 RAM 3500 | 10 | 8% | 198,000 |
| 1996 RAM 3500 | 10 | 8% | 98,090 |
| 1995 RAM 3500 | 5 | 5% | 32,613 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Seemingly at random whenever the truck goes over a bump at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it…
At random any time the truck goes over a bump in the road at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it…
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the cause of…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 Dodge RAM 3500s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 164 owner complaints about steering for the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 (73% of the 225 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 steering?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 42,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “tie rod”, in 38 of 164 complaints, followed by “attempted steering” (15).
See all 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 problems or steering problems across all RAM 3500 years.