DODGE RAM 5500 · model year

2011 DODGE RAM 5500

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.

34
Complaints
2
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
ENGINE4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION1
WHEELS1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20180322POWER TRAIN

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.

20170929FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20170503ENGINE

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

20160412ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

-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

20160412ENGINE

-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

20160215FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20160215UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20160105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20150601FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

2011 DODGE RAM 5500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

20150601FireFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2011 DODGE RAM 5500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

20150512FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20150512FireENGINE

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.

20150430ENGINE

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.

20150430FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20150430STEERING

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.

20150420FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20150420STEERING

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

20150420UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20150218FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20150218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Compare 2011DODGERAM 5500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 have?
The 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 has 34 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 DODGE RAM 5500?
The most-complained component for the 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 is STEERING with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 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.