2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 ranks 7th of 8 model years with a complaint index of 14, earning a Best verdict. Steering complaints dominate, making up 70% of the 298 complaints filed, tied to a tie rod recall, but overall this year has among the fewest reported problems in the lineup.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 14/100
- #7 of 8 Ram 2500 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 298
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Steering
Top 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering210 (70%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (15%)
- Engine42 (14%)
- Electrical System25 (8%)
- Fuel System21 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (5%)
- Brakes11 (4%)
- Other8 (3%)
- Structure & Body7 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Left outer tie rod assemblies broke while driving, causing sudden loss of steering control and, in some cases, crashes.
- Front suspension components such as the shock tower and upper coil support showed fatigue and deformation, leading to uncontrollable wobble.
- Electrical wiring near the alternator or master window switch smoked or caught fire while the truck was parked or idling.
- Exhaust tail pipes rusted through and separated from the muffler, sometimes accompanied by bed liner bubbling.
- Turbochargers failed with check engine lights and blue smoke, recurring shortly after repair.
- Rear differential bearings melted, producing a burning smell and temporary loss of acceleration at highway speed.
2011 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 14V635000Oct 8, 2014Engine315,325 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V529000Nov 6, 2013Steering271,733 vehicles
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
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.
Remedy: 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.
2011 compared with other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 reliable based on complaints?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 model a complaint index of 14, the second-lowest among the 8 Ram 2500 model years tracked, with a Best verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Ram 2500?
- Steering issues account for 70% of the 298 complaints, mostly involving tie rod failures, which is also the subject of a 2011 recall.
- Does the 2011 Ram 2500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Ram 2500, covering steering tie rods, engine wiring connectors, and a transmission park-brake interlock issue; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 Ram 2500 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 14, the 2011 model ranks better than years like 2006 (index 100, Avoid) and 2005 (index 86, Avoid), but slightly behind 2010 (index 0, Best).