Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
Power steering failed while driving. It will go in and out intermittently and then work periodically. Our tie rod already snapped and was replaced under recall, but now the truck has power steering issues. A VIN check says all repairs have been completed on our truck but we are still having steering issues. Was driving and making a turn when the steering went out initially and we could not turn the vehicle. Also, brake control system is malfunctioning, causing locking trailer brakes, roof suddenly began leaking and flooded interior cab, tire pressure sensors are malfunctioning, heater flap in dash is bad and been in for repair 2 times and its not fixed. Air conditioner is not blowing cold and the backup camera does not work. …
I'm sorry if I am filing this in the wrong section, but here goes. I checked my vehicles VIN with your website and with chryslers website, my truck was eligible for the n49 tie rod end recall. When I took it in the dealer told me it had already been done. I asked how he knew, and they pointed out to me the steering link on the right side of the truck. I did some research on the n49 recall and found that it was to replace the tie rod end on the left side of the steering linkage. I understand that this truck could be eligible for the buy back program because of this recall and I can definitely say that right now I am not comfortable with this truck. This truck is primarily used to haul my pregnant wife, 7 yr old son, and 3 yr old daughter. I know that no work was performed on the date the n49 recall was processed on my vehicle. I am not sure what to do! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a left turn, the braking system malfunctioned and the vehicle would not immediately slow down. Additionally, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on four separate occasions and occurred while the RPM was below 700 RPM. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. No repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 75,000. Failure occurred after braking and going about 20 MPH after the RPM's drop to about 700.
I would like to know how you require Fiat Chrysler to recall and buy back vehicles that are unsafe to drive and I get to sell my pickup back to them at trade in value which everyone in the world knows is a dealers way of screwing the owner because they turn around and list the vehicle for at least $4000 more than what they paid for the trade in. So I get sold a lemon and im glad you are starting to punish companies so that they in turn start producing quality vehicles and putting effort into their cars but they are even turning this for profit. They fix the parts and resale the car for more than they paid for it. Great plan. Why not use private party resale value so that we actually get what the car is worth.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle veered to the right into a ditch as the steering wheel became extremely loose. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the driver side tie rod ball studs detached. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the tie rod, rim and front bumper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving approximately 50 MPH over a bump in the road, the front end wobbled uncontrollably. The vehicle traveled in and out of a ditch to a complete stop. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering bolt joints and stabilizing bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000. Updated 6/25/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use extreme force in order to maneuver the vehicle. The failure was experienced several times. The dealer advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V657000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 04/14/16; updated 05/10/18
Related recalls
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.
Steering complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 210 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500, 70% of the model year's 298 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-529 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013); NHTSA recall 11V-350 (tie rod assembly, Jul 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.