DODGE RAM 3500 · model year

2011 DODGE RAM 3500

292 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011DODGERAM 3500 carries 292 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 7 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 RAM 3500 is steering with 157 filings, followed by suspension (26) and engine (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2011 RAM 3500, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

292
Complaints
5
Crashes
7
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

292 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING157
SUSPENSION26
ENGINE21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11
POWER TRAIN9
SERVICE BRAKES9
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL5
WHEELS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL2

Recent Complaints

20251208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the OEM trailer brake controller indicated that the trailer brake was disconnected even though it was attached correctly. The failure occurred while different trailers were hitched to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact replaced the OEM brakes with new OEM brakes; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that there was not enough amp signal to recognize that the trailer was connected. The mechanic attached a magnetic pigtail line with magnets attached to both ends, and the vehicle recognized that the trailer was connected. The cause of failure was found; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20251206UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving 70mph on the interstate, the truck randomly shut off. I lost power steering. Luckily I was going straight and there were no curves in the road, and I managed to pull the truck and trailer to the side of the road. All electrical assist, steering and brakes turned completely off, radio turned off, all electrical power was off. The engine shut off as well. As I was pulling over, the electrical turned back on but the engine did not. Once I was stopped, I turned the key off, waited 30 seconds, and then started the truck. It ran fine the rest of the way home, approximately 30 miles. I have not drove the truck since. This has happened 3 times, once parked idling after I pressed the door unlock button and the other time in the middle of an intersection. I took the truck to the dealership, paid for the inspection fee, but they could not recreate or find any wiring problems. It did throw a code when it happened, U0121 (Lost communication with ABS module). The dealer sai

20241125ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that during cold weather, the engine would not heat up properly and hesitated to start. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions, the heater grid connector on the driver's side melted bolts and wiring that intruded into the engine, causing piston #6 to misfire. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20241125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that during cold weather, the engine would not heat up properly and hesitated to start. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions, the heater grid connector on the driver's side melted bolts and wiring that intruded into the engine, causing piston #6 to misfire. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20240920STEERING

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 the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20231118VISIBILITY/WIPER

Coming home at night ran into a horde of bugs, I had just had the wiper reservoir filled. It was empty and I had to stop and wipe my windshield by hand. i looked on line I seen several owners had the same problem this I believe to be a manufactured problem. The dealer wants 400 hundred to replace the reservoir I believe this to be a Chrysler safety problem that has occurring to to many 2011 and 2012 vehicles,

20230410FireENGINE

Don’t know, the fireman,said the engine caught on fire, some how look like from on top pointed to the top. I believe I believe it was exhaust? Fire department would write out report and send it to me. Devastated 68+ miles truck was paid off melted the whole front and top of the engine everything down! I want to know what happened?! 2011, dodge ram 1 ton 6.7diesel Cummings ! also melted my boat 2010 nitro Z7 with a 150 mercury bass boat $28,000 boat worth more than that now whet up in value! It had 15 hours only on engine! It’s not completely lost I pray…

20230410FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Don’t know, the fireman,said the engine caught on fire, some how look like from on top pointed to the top. I believe I believe it was exhaust? Fire department would write out report and send it to me. Devastated 68+ miles truck was paid off melted the whole front and top of the engine everything down! I want to know what happened?! 2011, dodge ram 1 ton 6.7diesel Cummings ! also melted my boat 2010 nitro Z7 with a 150 mercury bass boat $28,000 boat worth more than that now whet up in value! It had 15 hours only on engine! It’s not completely lost I pray…

20220227FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I had a recall on the fuel heater plug and took care of the problem a few years back. I noticed today that the plug is leaking fuel and was wondering if the problem was ever fixed or if they used the same recalled parts? Do you ever recall an already recalled part? or do they ever pay for the part if I fix it myself?

20220227ENGINE

I had a recall on the fuel heater plug and took care of the problem a few years back. I noticed today that the plug is leaking fuel and was wondering if the problem was ever fixed or if they used the same recalled parts? Do you ever recall an already recalled part? or do they ever pay for the part if I fix it myself?

20220227ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I had a recall on the fuel heater plug and took care of the problem a few years back. I noticed today that the plug is leaking fuel and was wondering if the problem was ever fixed or if they used the same recalled parts? Do you ever recall an already recalled part? or do they ever pay for the part if I fix it myself?

20220203STEERING

The passenger side tire rod in the steering linkage that connects from one tire to the other fell out of the adjusting tube it was screwed into. This caused both wheels to canter out for a total loss of steering. I had just refueled and was going 2mph turning out of the gas station. Had I been back on the single lane hwy at 50mph the loss of steering would have resulted in a head on collision or dumping me into the forest trees. Having worked on similar front end parts in the past I find this absurd that those parts would simply pull apart, even if it were involved in striking a curb (which was not the case here). I have asked to repair facility to save the parts.

20210905STEERING

Steering wheel locked while vehicle was being driven at approximately 60mph. All other systems functioned normally. With about 2' of play in locked steering wheel vehicle made it to road shoulder. Restarted vehicle 3 times but steering wheel remained locked. Put car in "D" and "R" successfully and vehicle would move normally but steering wheel remained locked. All other electrical and mechanical systems function normally. No warning lights on dash were displayed. Called LIthia Dodge in Bryan/College Station(where vehicle was eventually towed). They suggested disconnect battery for 15" and system might reset. It did not. I disconnected Battery a 2nd time for about a minute. Steering still locked. Vehicle towed to Lithia where they willmlook at it Tuesday September 7, 2021. This had never happened before.

20200624POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING WITH, SERVICE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

Mileage: 171,000

20200511ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THIS IS THE SECOND RAM 3500 I HAVE PURCHASED IN A YEAR AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BLENDING DOORS FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITION UNIT. WITH THAT BEING SAID THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEFROST WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE BLENDING DOOR ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS CAUSE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST WHEN IT IS STARTED OR WHEN IT FOGS UP WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD WHICH PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILY AT RISK BECAUSE I CAN NOT SEE PROPERLY OUT THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A LARGE VEHICLE AND WOULD BE DEVASTATING IF I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DODGE HAS RECALLED THIS ISSUE ON OTHER MODELS UNDER K17, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE YEAR THAT I OWN. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

20200511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS THE SECOND RAM 3500 I HAVE PURCHASED IN A YEAR AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BLENDING DOORS FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITION UNIT. WITH THAT BEING SAID THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEFROST WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE BLENDING DOOR ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS CAUSE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST WHEN IT IS STARTED OR WHEN IT FOGS UP WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD WHICH PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILY AT RISK BECAUSE I CAN NOT SEE PROPERLY OUT THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A LARGE VEHICLE AND WOULD BE DEVASTATING IF I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DODGE HAS RECALLED THIS ISSUE ON OTHER MODELS UNDER K17, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE YEAR THAT I OWN. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

20200511VISIBILITY/WIPER

THIS IS THE SECOND RAM 3500 I HAVE PURCHASED IN A YEAR AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BLENDING DOORS FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITION UNIT. WITH THAT BEING SAID THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEFROST WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE BLENDING DOOR ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS CAUSE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST WHEN IT IS STARTED OR WHEN IT FOGS UP WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD WHICH PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILY AT RISK BECAUSE I CAN NOT SEE PROPERLY OUT THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A LARGE VEHICLE AND WOULD BE DEVASTATING IF I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DODGE HAS RECALLED THIS ISSUE ON OTHER MODELS UNDER K17, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE YEAR THAT I OWN. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

20191213STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL OR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK IN ONE DIRECTION AND SEIZE IN THAT POSITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM NORTH SAVANNAH (LOCATED AT 1100 CHATHAM PKWY, SAVANNAH, GA 31405, 912-712-7900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE POWER STEERING COOLER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 130,000

20191210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN GOING ON ROUGH ROADS VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. HAVE TO MANIPULATE IGNITION TO GET TO START AGAIN. MY FAMILY HAS 3 OF THESE TRUCKS AND ALL ARE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES. JUST HAD IGNITION MODULE REPLACED ON A 2012 RAM WITH 100000 MILES BECAUSE IT SHUT OFF WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD AND FRIGHTENED DRIVER. WHEN TRUCK DIES YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. SEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM TO MANY WITH TRUCKS OF THIS YEAR.

Mileage: 97,500

20190418ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WATER PUMP BEARING DISINTEGRATED. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE STEAM AND SMOKE THAT IMPACTED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO BRAKE EXTENSIVELY TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT WANTED TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A CONCENTRIC-BRAND WATER PUMP AND IF THE MANUFACTURER'S REMEDY PROVIDED A NEWLY DESIGNED WATER PUMP WITH A HOLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. * CONSUMER STATED WATER PUMP, IT BROKE THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH POWERS STEERING AND BRAKES. WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAI

Mileage: 98,000

Compare 2011DODGERAM 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 have?
The 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 has 292 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 7 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 DODGE RAM 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 is STEERING with 157 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and ENGINE.
Is the 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.