Total Complaints
34 filings
DODGE RAM 5500 · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011DODGERAM 5500 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 4 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 5500 is steering with 10 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (5) and electrical system (4). 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 5500, 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.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 10 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN) MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SUPPLIED THE PART TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER (JEFF WYLER EASTGATE AUTO MALL, 513-752-3447) WAS CALLED AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THE METAL STEM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING ACTS AS A GUIDE FOR THE SPRINGING ACTION OF THE SENDER. AS THE FUEL PUMP HEATED UP, INDICATED BY THE BLACK AREA ON THE FUEL SENDER, IT HEATED THE METAL TUBE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE TANK. THIS CAUSED A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND A SPILL OF FUEL IN EXCESS OF 25 GALLONS AT A GAS STATION.
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) SYSTEM FAILURE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH WARNING TO HAVE SERVICED OR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER XX MILES. WAS DEF SYSTEM, PIPE, INJECTOR, AND SENSORS.
Mileage: 77,093
-CONTROL MODULES REQUIRE UPDATES (ECM AND TCM) WHICH YOU HAVE TO PAY $120.00 FOR THE UPDATES. IT MAY CAUSE DRIVABILITY ISSUES. -INTAKE TUBE CLAMPS NEED REPLACING WHICH YOU CAN'T BUY THE CLAMP YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE INTAKE HOSE FOR $379.92.
Mileage: 11,913
-CONTROL MODULES REQUIRE UPDATES (ECM AND TCM) WHICH YOU HAVE TO PAY $120.00 FOR THE UPDATES. IT MAY CAUSE DRIVABILITY ISSUES. -INTAKE TUBE CLAMPS NEED REPLACING WHICH YOU CAN'T BUY THE CLAMP YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE INTAKE HOSE FOR $379.92.
Mileage: 11,913
WHILE DRIVING, AT RANDOM, A WARNING WILL DISPLAY STATING THE FOLLOWING: "SERVICE DEF SYSTEM. ENGINE WILL NOT START AT 200 MILES. SEE DEALER" THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 OR MORE TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK. WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 WHICH WE PURCHASED WITH THIS ONE. WHEN WE BRING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CANT GIVE AN EXACT REASON WHY THIS KEEPS OCCURRING. THEY ONCE TOLD ME "ITS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGH WAY WHILE TOWING A VEHICLE." THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE MONTH WE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS A HARD TIME SHUTTING IT OFF & KEEPING IT OFF. THIS SYSTEM LOCK-DOWN OF OUR RAM TOW TRUCK'S IS UNPREDICTABLE, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR OUR BUSINESS & NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED AND FIXED.
Mileage: 103,782
WHILE DRIVING, AT RANDOM, A WARNING WILL DISPLAY STATING THE FOLLOWING: "SERVICE DEF SYSTEM. ENGINE WILL NOT START AT 200 MILES. SEE DEALER" THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 OR MORE TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK. WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 WHICH WE PURCHASED WITH THIS ONE. WHEN WE BRING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CANT GIVE AN EXACT REASON WHY THIS KEEPS OCCURRING. THEY ONCE TOLD ME "ITS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGH WAY WHILE TOWING A VEHICLE." THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE MONTH WE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS A HARD TIME SHUTTING IT OFF & KEEPING IT OFF. THIS SYSTEM LOCK-DOWN OF OUR RAM TOW TRUCK'S IS UNPREDICTABLE, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR OUR BUSINESS & NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED AND FIXED.
Mileage: 103,782
THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE BUY BACK PROGRAM. CHRYSLERS 3RD PARTY TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS TO FILE THE PAPERWORK WITH A PRELIMINARY OFFER OF 35 THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THE BUY BACK. AT THE TIME THEY GUARANTEED THAT PRICE AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE LOWERED. NOW THEY ARE COMING BACK AND OFFERING 24K FOR THE SAME VEHICLE AND ARE REFUSING TO SPEAK TO US UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNLESS WE DECLINE THE OFFER OR ACCEPT THE OFFER. FCA AND IMPARTIAL SERVICES IS REFUSING TO RE-PURCHASE OR REPAIR OUR VEHICLE THAT IS PART OF THE 13V-527 CAMPAIGN. WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THEM NON STOP SINCE OCTOBER OF 2015 AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REACH NHTSA AND EVEN YOU GUYS ARE REFUSING TO ASSIST. SO WE STILL HAVE A BROKEN TRUCK IN OUR DRIVEWAY THAT FCA WILL NOT FIX!!!!!!!!..UPDATED 01/20/16 *BF
2011 DODGE RAM 5500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
2011 DODGE RAM 5500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICES WERE RECEIVED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICES WERE RECEIVED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000(STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000(STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000(STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALLS #P65/NHTSA 14V-635 AND #N63/NHTSA 13V-527 CHRYSLER STATES IN THEIR NOTICE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE BUT THEY WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE VEHICLE OWNER WHEN THEY ARE. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CHECK ON THE PARTS. AS OF THIS DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER AND THE DEALER HASN'T AN ANSWER. THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE DEPT EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE. WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. THE FIRE DEPT JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #P27. *TR
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALLS #P65/NHTSA 14V-635 AND #N63/NHTSA 13V-527 CHRYSLER STATES IN THEIR NOTICE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE BUT THEY WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE VEHICLE OWNER WHEN THEY ARE. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CHECK ON THE PARTS. AS OF THIS DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER AND THE DEALER HASN'T AN ANSWER. THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE DEPT EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE. WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. THE FIRE DEPT JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #P27. *TR
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALLS #P65/NHTSA 14V-635 AND #N63/NHTSA 13V-527 CHRYSLER STATES IN THEIR NOTICE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE BUT THEY WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE VEHICLE OWNER WHEN THEY ARE. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CHECK ON THE PARTS. AS OF THIS DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER AND THE DEALER HASN'T AN ANSWER. THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE DEPT EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE. WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. THE FIRE DEPT JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #P27. *TR
CONTACTED BY CHRYSLER ON OR ABOUT 12/1/2014, CONCERNING RECALL, P65. THIS RECALL EFFECTS THE DIESEL FUEL HEATER ASSEMBLY, WHICH AS NOTIFIED BY CHRYSLER COULD CAUSE A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. AS OF AN INQUIRY ON 2/18/2015, THEY STILL HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR MAKING PARTS AND REPAIRS AVAILABLE. OUR FIRST INQUIRY ON 12-19-2014, YIELDED THE SAME RESULTS. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER 2/18/2015, WHO STATED "THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL". *TR
CONTACTED BY CHRYSLER ON OR ABOUT 12/1/2014, CONCERNING RECALL, P65. THIS RECALL EFFECTS THE DIESEL FUEL HEATER ASSEMBLY, WHICH AS NOTIFIED BY CHRYSLER COULD CAUSE A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. AS OF AN INQUIRY ON 2/18/2015, THEY STILL HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR MAKING PARTS AND REPAIRS AVAILABLE. OUR FIRST INQUIRY ON 12-19-2014, YIELDED THE SAME RESULTS. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER 2/18/2015, WHO STATED "THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL". *TR
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.