Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the motor mounts were old and fractured. The independent mechanic suggested that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the motor mounts were fractured and that the vehicle backfired due to piston failure. The dealer replaced the motor mounts. The contact stated that the motor mounts were replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle was at a specialty shop for the engine to be replaced. While at the specialty shop, the contact was informed that the motor mounts were not replaced. The vehicle remained at the specialty shop unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Diesel). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the recall was serviced. Recently, the contact stated that he noticed a fuel leak coming from the fuel heater. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that a plug on the connector had melted due to a defective O-ring. The mechanic linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was contacted by both the mechanic and the contact and both were informed that the recall was a one-time free repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle began to shake forcefully. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated a week after the incident happened. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the camshaft and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The contact was unable to reach a representative with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 145,600.
The timing chain and timing tensioner are loose when the economy is on. Have to drive it in tow mode for it to stop. Then the truck jumped forward an hit another vehicle. Now, I have to pay 1600 to get it fixed.. If dodge would've put good quality parts in we wouldn't be having this discussion.
With no warning the TIPM malfunctioned leaving my truck in a crank with no start scenario and stranded. Then my starter died trying to resolve. Starter replaced and mechanic found the TIPM fuel relay corroded and malfunctioning. Chrysler dealers tell me no new TIPM is available as far as they can search across Canada and they have no ETA when they expect availability of the part. So now I can't even repair the truck? Every other 2011 Chrysler / Jeep / Dodge had been recalled for the EXACT same part back in 2014-2015 investigation. Why was the 2011 Ram truck excluded from this recall??? A few searches online and it's evident the majority of 2011 ram owners have run into this issue, and lots of reporting of it. …
The camshaft has balded on one of the cylinders. I first said I had a check engine light with a P0303 code. I replaced the spark plugs, the ignition coils, the fuel injector, and even the PCM. None of that fixed it. I was driving on the freeway when it started flashing the check engine light and the car lost all power so the RPMs don't like to go over 3k. The check engine light still flashes like crazy every time I turn it on and even touch the gas. I checked the vacuum lines and sensors and air lines. They are all perfect. Then I checked the compression and it is less than half of what it is supposed to be on just one cylinder. I looked at the camshaft and found that it was bald and not creating compression that way. I did some research on some forums and found this is really common for this year of Ram. This made it undrivable and unsafe without power. …
This issue has been experienced more than 5 times and only occurs while turning. While making both left and right hand turns, the steering wheel locks mid turn and the engine completely shuts off resulting in the inability to turn in any direction. The first time this happened, I almost went into a ditch and today as I turned to cross an intersection, I lost all steering control and the truck shut down mid turn in the middle of the intersection. This left the truck immobilized in the intersection and facing into oncoming traffic. Following each incident, I put the truck in park and restart it as if there was no issue. There are no warning lights that appear prior to any of the incidents that would indicate an issue and the instrument panel goes dark each time the issue occurs. This is going to get me and/or my family killed one of these days. …
The lifters are knocking and there's a tick in the engine. I've done some research and there's a whole forum regarding complaints for the Hemi's 5.7L engines in this specific year of my vehicle and other FCA vehicles, stating the notorious "Hemi tick" and the lifters going bad. Yes my vehicle is available for inspection because I can't afford the amount shops are trying to charge. If multiple vehicle's, made by FCA with the Hemi engine for models 2011, are having the same issue I would think it had to do with a manufacturing defect. The vehicle has caused a major vibration and jerking when I try to drive which could in turn cause me to wreck! My vehicle has been inspected at a shop. My check engine light is on and came on after hearing the tick in the engine for awhile previous to the light coming on. The lifters knocking started about a month ago.
my 2011 RAM 1500 5.7L has a Faulty TIPM. Fuel Pump cuts out, causing stalling and intermittent operation, starting vehicle becomes problematic while commuting. vehicle will sometimes not start at all and will remain stuck in an ignition loop. Continues to throw random check engine codes. I have had several near miss collisions while driving due to its unsafe condition I took the vehicle in to have a diagnostic done and a licensed Chrysler dealer deduced the vehicle has a faulty TIPM, which correlates to the mass recall on the 2011 RAM 1500 models However my VIN does not show its associated with the many models of 2011 RAM 1500 when I cross referenced this.
If I am driving and a lifter gives out and the vehicle shuts down then ANYTHING can happen at any speed. SO wtf are ya'll talking about this is not a safety concern? So if u want to get into how many people are in harms way if this fails we are talking about Thousands to Millions. AS THESE CARS GET OLDER WE WILL ONLY SEE THIS HAPPEN MORE OFTEN. Build a terrible product u need to get called out for the terrible design because u wee trying to screw people out of repair money by the terrible design. These companies should be sued out of existence. They dont care about the longevity of their product and should not be allowed to sell to AMERICANS.
Engine complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 156 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, 23% of the model year's 689 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.