YearToAvoid

2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 42 engine complaints for the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500, 14% of all 298 complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 58,500 miles, and a related recall (14V635000) covers engine wiring connectors.

Engine complaints
42
14% of 298
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
58,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Exhaust odor or fumes leak into the cabin, most noticeable when the vehicle is stopped or idling.
  • Check engine light illuminates along with a drop in fuel efficiency or a stall that requires cycling the key to restart.
  • Turbo failure triggers the check engine light and blue smoke from under the hood, sometimes recurring shortly after a repair.
  • Exhaust tail pipe rusts excessively and separates from the muffler.
  • Torque converter and transmission-related lunging occurs in cold weather, requiring multiple dealer visits and a computer update.
  • Some owners report the engine bay caught fire while the vehicle was parked and turned off.

When 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 3, 2011, latest Sep 20, 2026.

2011 Dodge Ram 2500 engine complaints: complaints filed per month4May 2011Jan 2013Feb 2015Jun 2015Mar 2016Feb 2017Sep 2019Aug 2024
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2011 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2015 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500

  1. 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.

Engine complaints by Ram 2500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200524 (6%)
  2. 200625 (4%)
  3. 200740 (11%)
  4. 200847 (15%)
  5. 200914 (7%)
  6. 201027 (11%)
  7. 201142 (14%)
  8. 201256 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA lists 42 engine complaints for this model year, which is 14% of the 298 total complaints filed for the 2011 Ram 2500.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Ram 2500 engine?
Yes. Recall 14V635000 covers 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5,500 trucks with engine electrical connector issues; Chrysler's remedy replaces the harness side connector.
At what mileage do engine problems usually show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 58,500 miles at the time engine failures were reported.
Do the engine complaints involve fires?
Yes, NHTSA records 3 fires among the 42 engine complaints for the 2011 Ram 2500, with no reported crashes or injuries.

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.