Most common 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 4500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 4500 years: 2009. Compare all years →
2011 Dodge Ram 4500 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.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Dodge Ram 4500:
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 4500 owners say
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 4500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the water pump failed which caused the serpentine belt to fracture. The fractured serpentine belt caused the loss of power steering and the vehicle could not be stopped for about 20 miles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000. The VIN was not available.
While driving highway speed, when crossing on an overpass, the steering wheel start violently shaking back and forth. It got so bad I had to immediate brake hard and exit the freeway. It did not stop shaking until I was nearly stopped. This truck is used for my business and normally has a gooseneck trailer with a control room and heavy umbilical cables mounted on it. If this had happened with a trailer attached, I know I would have crashed. Had this happened with snow or ice on the road, I am certain I would have lost control, spun out and most likely flipped this vehicle. I no longer trust this vehicle and the dealership denied any knowledge of this ever happening. A google search showed thousands of incidents and youtube shows video of what I actually experienced. It is real and justifies the term "Dodge death wobble".
Suspension
While driving highway speed, when crossing on an overpass, the steering wheel start violently shaking back and forth. It got so bad I had to immediate brake hard and exit the freeway. It did not stop shaking until I was nearly stopped. This truck is used for my business and normally has a gooseneck trailer with a control room and heavy umbilical cables mounted on it. If this had happened with a trailer attached, I know I would have crashed. Had this happened with snow or ice on the road, I am certain I would have lost control, spun out and most likely flipped this vehicle. I no longer trust this vehicle and the dealership denied any knowledge of this ever happening. A google search showed thousands of incidents and youtube shows video of what I actually experienced. It is real and justifies the term "Dodge death wobble".
Dodge has refused to replaced the critical part as indicated in the recall. I was notified by Dodge early in 2014 about the recall. Dealer said that replacement would be made in May 2014. When contacted in May dealer said the replacement would not be made until September 2014. Truck has a serious pull to the right side and shows extreme wear on the right front tire. Given the safety aspects of this recall I would like the replacement as soon as possible without the continual delays by Dodge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ram 4500 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram 4500 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 4500?
The steering — 11 complaints, 79% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages › tie rod assembly. Next are the suspension (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2011 Dodge Ram 4500, 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 4500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009. See the full Dodge Ram 4500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 29% 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.