Most common 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 problems
Share of the 298 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 2500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 2500 years: 2002, 2000, 1998. Years to avoid: 2006, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
2011 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls (4)
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.
Fuel system, diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of…
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; and model year 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from February…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500:
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 owners say
Steering all 210 →
Yesterday, 3/22/2024, I was driving northbound on I-15, fat left lane, approx. 80 mph/posted highway speed. Suddenly lost steering control on my 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins diesel truck. Front end/tires began vibrating, all steering control lost, truck veered to the right across 3 lanes of traffic and off into the dirt/sage brush to the right of the highway. It almost rolled over, but I was able to slow it to a stop. My dogs & I could have been killed. I turned the truck off for a few minutes, then re-started the ignition. Was mid-trip with no other transportation option, so I drove the rest of the way at much slower speeds, was able to get the truck to our home. I am still shaken from what could have happened to me and our family. I have dash cam video of this incident.
The steering became uncontrollable and wobbled so violently I could not keep my hands on the wheel. It will be open for inspection at any time. The safety of all other road users and pedestrians were put in grave danger. Due to the complete loss of steering control. This has happened to other ram owners I have talked with as well. The problem was addressed by my local mechanic. He recommended replacing the entire front end steering and suspension components I agreed he did the work, he did the work. I also replaced all four tires with new and had them balanced. Within 2 weeks this death wobble happened. There are no warning lamps for this problem.
Engine & cooling all 40 →
Some electrical components became inoperative in the quick minute. Fuel pump was running continuedly till the battery was drained. Mechanic, I had used before told me that the TIPM Module was defective and needed replaced. Truck just before the battery died was that not all Eletronic's were working. Interior lights, horn, cruise control, FOBs not responding to the vehicle. Mechanic stated that the TPIM did need to be replaced. Contacted dealership were purchased and they told me that there have been recalls out on this particular part. I know that from 2009 to 2017 there have been several models that were impacted by this part being defective. I do have the invoice from the mechanic that took care of replacing the TIPM module.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred 10 days and 75 miles later. Blue smoke emitted from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the turbo extenuator failed and the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000. Updated 01/21/16
Suspension all 37 →
Dear sir or ma'am, I am writing you to report a severe problem that occurred to me on 3/5/16, and again on 4/9/16. I was traveling at approximately 65 MPH on both occasions on washington state highways. The front end of my 2011 Ram 2500 pick up began to shake violently. It was so intense that I was afraid that I might lose control of the vehicle. I slowed down and pulled to the side of the road and the problem stopped. After I got back on the road I traveled about a mile, and the problem occurred again. My wife brought the truck into a repair shop on 3/7/16 to see if there was a problem with the tires or suspension. The shop said the tires were balanced and that they did not find any obvious problem with the suspension. After a quick internet search I discovered a number of people describing the exact problem that I had experienced. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 2500. The contact received a recall repair for NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering), but the remedy did not provide a solution. The contact stated that there was an extensive wobble in the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time where it was indicated that the parts needed to be replaced again. The dealer replaced the front tie rods, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was unable to be driven over 45 MPH. The vehicle continued to wobble in the front, which was extremely unsafe while driving at highway speeds. The manufacturer was notified of the failure each time and provided no solution to the dealer to address the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 a good car?
Based on 298 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ram 2500 rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram 2500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500?
The steering — 210 complaints, 70% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages › tie rod assembly. Next are the engine & cooling (40) and suspension (37).
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500, the most recent from December 20, 2017 (column shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2000 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2003 and 2004. See the full Dodge Ram 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 57% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.