YearToAvoid

2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

50/100

#2 most-complained of 3 Ram 2500 years

The 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 has 298 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 50, and ranks 2nd worst out of 3 model years tracked. Steering issues dominate, making up 70% of complaints, with 4 recalls on file including a steering tie-rod recall.

Complaints
298
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
3 / 7
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering210 (70%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (15%)
  3. Engine42 (14%)
  4. Electrical System25 (8%)
  5. Fuel System21 (7%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain16 (5%)
  7. Brakes11 (4%)
  8. Other8 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body7 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (1%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the front left tie rod assembly breaking, causing sudden loss of steering control while cornering.
  • Some describe the truck jerking hard to one side and spinning out before hitting an embankment due to steering component failure.
  • Suspension shock towers reportedly deform from material fatigue on rough roads, leading to uncontrollable wobble and loss of wheel control.
  • Electrical issues include the master window switch smoking and back windows dropping on their own, followed by a small fire.
  • Engine complaints describe the turbo needing replacement after the check engine light comes on, with the failure recurring days later along with blue smoke.
  • Alternator wiring has reportedly burned while the vehicle was parked, producing smoke from the engine bay.
2011 Dodge Ram 2500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter542011 Q12012 Q32014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12019 Q22021 Q12024 Q3
387 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (54).

2011 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 →

2011 compared with other Ram 2500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict02364—
2011No verdict502984—
2012No verdict1002834—

All Dodge Ram 2500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 model has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 2nd worst among the 3 model years with data, driven largely by steering complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Ram 2500?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 210 complaints, or 70% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 38,500.
Does the 2011 Ram 2500 have a steering recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 13V529000 covers a left tie rod assembly issue on 2008-2012 Ram 2500 4x4 trucks, and recall 11V350000 covers tie rod ends on 2008-2011 Ram 2500/3500 4x4 models.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ram 2500 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Ram 2500, covering steering, engine wiring, and transmission components.
How does the 2011 compare to other Ram 2500 years?
The 2011 has a complaint index of 50, worse than the 2010 model's index of 0 but better than the 2012 model's index of 100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.