Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle with the key fob, the doors would unlock independently, and the windows would roll down independently. The contact also stated that the front driver's side window had failed to roll down while using the power window switch. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that he had noticed moisture in the storage compartments underneath the rear passenger's side and rear driver's side seats. The contact stated that he also noticed that the rear driver's side floorboard was wet. …
The gas tank fell onto the road while driving to pick up my daughter from the bus. I immediately pulled over due to the sound. I then saw the front of the gas tank on the ground , half a mile down the road I was traveling there are alot of pit holes and that could of ended in a fire or worse with my tank dragging the ground. I have taken it to the dealership that would help repair the recall but they have yet to repair or give me information about what the manufacturer has said on what to do. They told me it is to rusty underneath to repair and contacted manufacturer. I am without a vehicle its been almost 2 weeks and I have a 6 year old child and my own health issues that inquire dr appointments. I have no money for a rental and no family or friends who can help with rides. …
I was sitting at an entrance not moving when a cnn rail repair truck jumped the curb ran into my driver side front fender and tore half front end parts off spun me 180 hit rear driver side panel on some steel posts was injured broken collar bone broken ribs hit head off driver side window have wiplash no air bags went off at all in my truck
Passenger side factory installed "Dodge" step bar fell off the truck as my 90lbs. Daughter stepped in. As her & the step bar went crashing to the ground she banged her elbow really hard on the door latch striker. Component is held to the inner rocker panel of the trucks cab with 6 expanding rivet nuts that have very little surface contact area. It appears that the steel of the inner rocker has fatigued over time & cracked. The cracks allowed the metal to conically deform to the point where the rivet nuts were able to pop out of the body. This could have been much worse if it had been an elderly person on the step bar instead of a resilient middle school youngster.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the fuel tank was lower than expected. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The contact was informed that the fuel tank strap fractured due to severe rust and needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that there was no recall on the vehicle pertaining to the fuel system. The vehicle had to be repaired at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,100. ..updated 11/07/17 updaated 9/12/18
Tl* the driver of the vehicle owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the front passenger side wheel disengaged from the vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver was injured and transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a collision center where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side wheel had a faulty lower control arm and spindle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. ....updated 09/19/16 updated 06/18/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, it was noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to sam leman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of peoria [phone], located at 1801 w pioneer pkwy, peoria, il 61615) where it was determined that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at various speeds, the contact witnessed the vehicle's headliner becoming damp with water. The contact was informed that there was water on the rear driver side head rest. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and it was brought to their attention that they were ware of a third brake light failure that allowed water to enter the vehicle. The failure mileage was 74,000.
During a pa state inspection they found one of the fuel tank support straps had pulled out of the frame. The frame had rusted in the area where the strap use to be attached to the frame. This left the tank with 150lbs of gasoline in it hanging by one strap, this could have been catastrophic if the tank fell out and became wedged under the axle. It is going to cost over $650 to have the frame welded. Vehicle is a 2011 with 57K miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the rocker panels on the vehicle's doors were rusting. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics, but they refused to repair the rocker panels. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 113,000.
Body complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, 3% of the model year's 689 complaints. The component named most often is body (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.