Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Driving up to closed garage door going approximately 2 mph. Catastrophic brake failure and vehicle went through garage door. 1. Total brake failure due to failure of "hydraulic control unit, Anti-lock brake system. A. Unit was replaced by PTL Tire & Auto in Ham Lake because of safety issue. B. Part available for inspection - unknown (PTL Tire & Auto is looking to see if they still have the part.. C. PTL can write a letter regarding the failure. 2. Total brake failure while driving up to garage door. 3. Confirmed by independent service (PTL Tire & Auto) 4. Vehicle was not inspected except for independent service. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?
Hydraulic control unit, anti-lock brake system failed which resulted in "no brakes". Truck went through garage door. Could have happened on the road or stopping for pedestrian's. Problems reported to and confirmed by an independent service. The hydraulic control unit has not been inspected. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The hydraulic control unit was kept by the independent service and can be inspected. Parts have been replaced.
In January 2021 I had to replace the driver's side caliper and CV axle, due to caliper malfunction. In February 2022 I had the same problem and had to replace the CV axle and caliper again due to caliper malfunctioning a second time.
Refused to perform recall T79 and customer satisfaction notice L41 emmisons. Received text message as evidence that said They are not obligated to repair my vehicle under recall, and that I would have to pay for the repairs.
I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me before I could put on my warning blinkers.Eventually, I turned off and on the pickup and everything worked somewhat normally but the vehicle went into limp mode. I got home, had the vehicle towed to the dealership. I explained issue, requested a total diagnosis of everything that was wrong but most importantly, I wanted the total power loss issue diagnosed, pinpointed and resolved. because I don't feel safe driving until issue is truly diagnosed and fixed. I gave them my lifetimecarmaxplus warranty . …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated without warning to approximately 100 MPH. The contact attempted to apply the brakes, but the brakes failed. The contact turned the ignition off and the interior lights turned off; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact shifted into neutral and the vehicle ran off the road. The vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and the engine revved even though the ignition was turned off. Prior to the failure, the vehicle came to a rolling stop when it was placed in park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that there was no failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to sell the contact a new vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the front passenger tire vibrated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the caliper was so hot that smoke emerged from the wheel area. The contact waited until the caliper cooled off and drove the vehicle back home. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred approximately one month ago, but on the front driver's side. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 25 MPH making a right turn, the vehicle shook hard without warning. The brake pedal traveled to the floor when it was depressed. The contact had no control over the steering and the wheel would not move. The contact crashed into another vehicle and the brakes returned to normal. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and a knot on the left side. Medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
We were traveling home July 18th on the interstate when the truck started shaking and he tried to get off the interstate on an exit. The stearing messed up and he like to have not got it stopped before we were running out of ramp. It' was light not having control of the wheel or brakes. When we got stopped he opened the hood to see if he could see a problem there. He also walked aroung the entire truck checking tires. We finally decided to try it again. We were then only about 60 miles from home. We drove slower the rest of the way because that was a very scary thing to have happen. Our granddaughter had softball practice wed. Night in knoxville tenn. It wasn't as bad as as the 18th but it done it a few times on us again. We haul presious cargo , our granddaughters, it scares us to death driving with them in tha truck. …
Takata recall the TIPM went bad in my truck at 85,000 miles. Truck will not start at times, it will lock me out of my own vehicle (thank god my kids were never locked in). The fuel pump runs constantly even when the truck is turned off because the TIPM does not allow it to turn off. It affects all of my electrical stuff, including radio, power locks and power windows. My windows will role down out of nowhere when the vehicle is turned off, and the windows will not role back up. The backup camera will come on while I am driving forward, my radio will freeze up to where I can no do anything to it. My key gets stuck in the ignition and will not come out! The whole entire truck just locks up. When you're driving, and it decides to shut off out of nowhere, I lose all power!!! No brakes or steering!!! Its uncontrollable!! …
Brake complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, 4% of the model year's 689 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › caliper (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to brakes 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.