Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 driving at approximately 45 MPH, an abnormal clunk was heard coming from under the vehicle before the rear end of the drive shaft disconnected. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he lost control and the vehicle had jumped the curb into a ditch before coming to a stop on a culvert. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries to his neck however, no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and parked at the contact's home address, where it remains until further investigation. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
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 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, and there was a loud popping and breaking sound coming from underneath the vehicle, causing the rear wheels to lock up. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear driveshaft had fractured and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed the failure and recommended the installation of a new driveshaft, rear differential assembly, and failed pinion gear. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V038000 (Power Train); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while her husband was driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on various occasions after turning off the vehicle and removing the key from the ignition, the gear shifter inadvertently shifted from the park(P) to neutral(N). No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the rear pinion nut detached. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle was seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
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.
My car had suddenly and without any warning broken down in the middle of the street, putting me and 2 other passengers at extremely high risk considering we were in a busy highway, which left us stuck in the car until we managed to run for safety to the side of the road. My Vehicle is a Doge Ram 2011 5.7 Liter V8 with 80K mileage. VIN# [redacted] The crash was caused by the Driveshaft completely separating and dragging on the asphalt, while the rear axle seized and resulted in a loss of power, and the rear differential to leak all the fluid. At first, I sent the car via a tow truck to an independent service center, which has been providing all the needed maintenance to my car for the past 5 years. In the process of trying to fix the vehicle and inspecting the issues which apparently turned out to be really expensive to fix ( Rear Differential $1400 used ). …
This is additional information for NHTSA tracking number 11476438. Through an online search, this issue seems to pertain to not only our vehicle class, but others equipped a HEMI engine. As this happened to me, it is very dangerous. A rapid deceleration on a highway, at highway speeds is dangerous. As the vehicle is decelerating on its own, brakes are not employed. Thus, no brake lights to warn others of the deceleration. Luckily, I had an attentive driver behind me. Should I have been trapped in the the inside lane, I cold have been over-run by a truck or worse cause a chain reaction of rear-ends potentially injuring many. Upon contacting Chrysler today, they didn't seem to have any concerns as it was beyond the warranty period. They seem to be completely absolving themselves of any accountability if the vehicle is beyond its warranty period. …
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. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30,…
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for…
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 176 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, 26% of the model year's 689 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-821 (column shift, Dec 20, 2017); NHTSA recall 13V-038 (differential unit, Feb 6, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.