2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 has a Complaint Index of 63, ranking 4th worst out of 9 model years, and carries a Caution verdict with 689 complaints and 4 recalls. Electrical System issues top the list at 33% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #4 of 9 Ram 1500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 689
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 28
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
Top 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System226 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain176 (26%)
- Engine169 (25%)
- Fuel System142 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires57 (8%)
- Other47 (7%)
- Steering45 (7%)
- Brakes37 (5%)
- Structure & Body30 (4%)
- Airbags13 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes at highway speeds, resulting in chest and head injuries.
- The brake pedal reportedly traveled to the floor with no response, leading to a crash at an intersection and another rollover on a hill.
- Owners describe a truck catching fire in the bed area while parked and locked, with no clear cause identified.
- A rear tire and rim reportedly locked up and caught fire while driving at highway speed.
- A hose was found spraying fluid onto the serpentine belt, producing smoke and fumes near the engine while parking.
- A structural impact from another vehicle caused severe body damage with no airbag deployment reported.
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V160000Mar 8, 2018Fuel System218,617 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Risk: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
- NHTSA 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Transmission & Powertrain1,482,874 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V038000Feb 6, 2013Transmission & Powertrain278,674 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, 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 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 N08.
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011 Ram 1500 carries a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 63, ranking 4th worst of 9 model years tracked.
- What are the most common problems on the 2011 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System issues make up 33% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 26% and Engine problems at 25%.
- Does the 2011 Ram 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Ram 1500, covering the fuel system, transmission and powertrain (two separate campaigns), and suspension components like the rear axle bearing.
- How does the 2011 Ram 1500 compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's Complaint Index of 63 is worse than 2010 (25, rated Good) but better than 2005 (100) and 2009 (88), both rated Avoid.
- What mileage do 2011 Ram 1500 problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 75,682 for the 2011 model overall, with Electrical System complaints centered around 83,000 miles.