RoadVitals

2011 Dodge 1500 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest May 23, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 688 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 23, 2025

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. I am unsure of what to do next I just know this is extremely frustrating considering I had purchased this vehicle only a few months ago.

NHTSA ID
11662759
Incident
Apr 23, 2025
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle with the key fob, the doors would unlock independently, and the windows would roll down independently. The contact also stated that the front driver's side window had failed to roll down while using the power window switch. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that he had noticed moisture in the storage compartments underneath the rear passenger's side and rear driver's side seats. The contact stated that he also noticed that the rear driver's side floorboard was wet. The contact stated that upon retrieving items from the storage compartment underneath the rear passenger's side seat, he noticed that there was approximately 1-inch of water in the storage compartment and there was mold behind the rear passenger's side seat. The contact stated that he vacuumed out the water out with a hose, and then used a towel. Additionally, the contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle after it had rained the following day, he noticed that there was water in the storage compartments underneath the rear driver's side and passenger's side seats. The contact also noticed that the floorboard on the rear driver's side and passenger's side was significantly wet, and there was a water mark on the ceiling. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11567983
Incident
Jan 26, 2022
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 20, 2022

The tailgate fell open when accelerating after stopping at a stoplight. It had been securely closed for 4 hours of driving without stopping with no interaction.

NHTSA ID
11498302
Incident
Oct 23, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Dec 19, 2022

Tailgate randomly unlocks and opens while vehicle is in motion. Cargo comes out. The dealer was shown the defective locking mechanism and refused to repair it.

NHTSA ID
11497965
Incident
Apr 4, 2020
Body & structure
Filed Oct 7, 2020

OUR 2011 RAM 1500 HAS RUST UNDER THE PAINT, BUBBLING IT UP, UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR RIGHT ON/ABOVE THE ROCKER PANEL. THE ACTUAL DOOR IS NOT AFFECTED AND APPEARS TO BE RUST FREE, IT IS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK THAT IS AFFECTED. WE NOTICED THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS. I CALLED AN AUTO BODY REPAIR PLACE AND THE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH DOGE TRUCKS BECAUSE THE PANELS ARE NOT WELDED TOGETHER ANY LONGER, BUT ARE NOT BONDED TOGETHER WITH SOME KIND OF INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH ADHESIVE WHICH THEN CAUSES MOISTURE TO BE UNABLE TO ESCAPE, WHICH CAUSES RUST. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND FAULTY DESIGN AND TO CONTACT DODGE TO SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUE TO THERE BEING NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. A GENTLEMAN FROM THE FCA INSTRUCTED ME TO COME HERE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THOUGH THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LISTED, THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS NO RISK OF INJURY CONSIDERED, BUT FOR ME THE RUST IS ON THE ROCKER PANEL, WHICH IS STRUCTURAL, AND IS A RISK IF IT WEAKENS. ALSO, THE GENTLEMAN AT THE FCA AGREED WITH ME THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING, SO IT WOULD ONLY BE GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE FOR DODGE TO COVER THE EXPENSES AND WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE IT CAN AND HAS PUT PEOPLE IN DANGER. THE COMPLAINTS ARE OUT THERE, AND I BELIEVE RUST ABSOLUTELY POSES RISK OF INJURY, AND I ALSO BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. OUR VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN REGISTERED IN A STATE WHERE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND SALT BRINE FOR THE ROADS WAS REGULAR, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED NEAR THE BEACH. WE LIVE IN THE PIEDMONT AREA OF SC AND EVERY TIME WE RETURN FROM THE BEACH WE THOROUGHLY WASH IT. RUST SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE. DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATE THAT WE FIRST NOTICED

NHTSA ID
11363213
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Mileage
118,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 5, 2020

MY TAILGATE HAS OPENED BY ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES I'VE SEEN IT WITH MY EYES AND THE LAST TIME WE WERE PULLING A TRAILER IT OPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THIS IS WHAT I'M LEFT WITH A RUINED TAILGATE WHERE WE CAN'T EVEN OPEN IT TO USE IT. I'M FURIOUS! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN - MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST

NHTSA ID
11320275
Incident
Mar 11, 2020
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAM LEMAN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF PEORIA (309-692-1801, LOCATED AT 1801 W PIONEER PKWY, PEORIA, IL 61615) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11254479
Incident
Aug 9, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS ON THE VEHICLE'S DOORS WERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ROCKER PANELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11170817
Incident
Sep 17, 2018
Mileage
113,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 30, 2018

DURING A PA STATE INSPECTION THEY FOUND ONE OF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS HAD PULLED OUT OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME HAD RUSTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE STRAP USE TO BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THIS LEFT THE TANK WITH 150LBS OF GASOLINE IN IT HANGING BY ONE STRAP, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF THE TANK FELL OUT AND BECAME WEDGED UNDER THE AXLE. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $650 TO HAVE THE FRAME WELDED. VEHICLE IS A 2011 WITH 57K MILES.

NHTSA ID
11082133
Incident
Mar 28, 2018
Mileage
57,768 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 16, 2017

PASSENGER SIDE FACTORY INSTALLED "DODGE" STEP BAR FELL OFF THE TRUCK AS MY 90LBS. DAUGHTER STEPPED IN. AS HER & THE STEP BAR WENT CRASHING TO THE GROUND SHE BANGED HER ELBOW REALLY HARD ON THE DOOR LATCH STRIKER. COMPONENT IS HELD TO THE INNER ROCKER PANEL OF THE TRUCKS CAB WITH 6 EXPANDING RIVET NUTS THAT HAVE VERY LITTLE SURFACE CONTACT AREA. IT APPEARS THAT THE STEEL OF THE INNER ROCKER HAS FATIGUED OVER TIME & CRACKED. THE CRACKS ALLOWED THE METAL TO CONICALLY DEFORM TO THE POINT WHERE THE RIVET NUTS WERE ABLE TO POP OUT OF THE BODY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF IT HAD BEEN AN ELDERLY PERSON ON THE STEP BAR INSTEAD OF A RESILIENT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUNGSTER.

NHTSA ID
11046488
Incident
Nov 14, 2017
Mileage
151,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LOWER THAN EXPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,100. ..UPDATED 11/07/17 *BF UPDAATED 9/12/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11039647
Incident
Oct 19, 2017
Mileage
69,100 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jun 21, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD A FAULTY LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF UPDATED 06/18/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10875582
Incident
Jun 17, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Dec 30, 2015

I HAVE A WATER LEAK IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK AND ITS GETTING MY HEADLINER WET. *JS

NHTSA ID
10816939
Incident
Dec 28, 2015
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Nov 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WITNESSED THE VEHICLE'S HEADLINER BECOMING DAMP WITH WATER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS WATER ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE HEAD REST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THAT THEY WERE WARE OF A THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE THAT ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID
10794602
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
Mileage
74,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 28, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS SITTING AT AN ENTRANCE NOT MOVING WHEN A CNN RAIL REPAIR TRUCK JUMPED THE CURB RAN INTO MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND TORE HALF FRONT END PARTS OFF SPUN ME 180 HIT REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL ON SOME STEEL POSTS WAS INJURED BROKEN COLLAR BONE BROKEN RIBS HIT HEAD OFF DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAVE WIPLASH NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF AT ALL IN MY TRUCK

NHTSA ID
10744500
Incident
Jul 20, 2015
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 1, 2014

WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW SEALS. SPOKE TO MANY DODGE RAM OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. DODGE HAVE BEEN REPAIRING THE SEALS FOR FREE IF YOUR VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT CHARGING $174.00 IF YOUR WARRANTY HAVE EXPIRED. WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE LEAK FIXED THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS AND THERE WAS FOUR MORE TRUCKS IN THAT DAY FOR THIS ISSUE. [XXX] WAS THE SERVICE PERSON AT LANDMARK DODGE IN MORROW GEORGIA. DODGE CORPORATION IS NOT WILLING TO REFUND MY MONEY OR HELP ME. LANDMARK DODGE SERVICE#678-251-2270. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10558054
Incident
Dec 23, 2013
Mileage
40,706 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 21, 2013

SMALL ROCKS ARE GETTING LODGED BETWEEN BEDSIDE AND WHEEL TUB CAUSING OUTWARD PROTRUSIONS ON THE RIGHT BEDSIDE. ACCORDING TO DEALER THERE ARE ISOLATED CASES OF THIS HAPPENING HOWEVER THIS ISSUE IS ALSO OCCURRING ON MY OTHER 2011 RAM 1500 AS WELL. BEING AS THESE VEHICLES TRAVEL GRAVEL ROADS DAILY IT WOULD SEEM THERE WOULD BE A GREATER CHANCE OF THIS OCCURRING ON MY VEHICLES THEN MOST SOLD THAT NEVER LEAVE PAVEMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS HAPPENING TO BOTH OF MY TRUCKS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. I COULD UNDERSTAND THIS BEING AN ISOLATED THING IF IT WASN'T OCCURRING ON BOTH VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521119
Incident
Jun 20, 2013
Mileage
59,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 21, 2013

SMALL ROCKS ARE GETTING LODGED BETWEEN BEDSIDE AND WHEEL TUB CAUSING OUTWARD PROTRUSIONS ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BEDSIDES. ACCORDING TO DEALER THERE ARE ISOLATED CASES OF THIS HAPPENING HOWEVER THIS ISSUE IS ALSO OCCURRING ON MY OTHER 2011 RAM 1500 AS WELL. BEING AS THESE VEHICLES TRAVEL GRAVEL ROADS DAILY IT WOULD SEEM THERE WOULD BE A GREATER CHANCE OF THIS OCCURRING ON MY VEHICLES THEN MOST SOLD THAT NEVER LEAVE PAVEMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS HAPPENING TO BOTH OF MINE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. I COULD UNDERSTAND THIS BEING AN ISOLATED THING IF IT WASN'T OCCURRING ON BOTH OF MY TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521118
Incident
Jun 3, 2013
Mileage
41,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 14, 2012

RIGHT KNEE BUMPS THE LARGE KEY TURNING IT, AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES USUALLY WHILE CORNERING OR SLOWING FOR A CORNER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10461764
Incident
Jun 25, 2011
Mileage
160 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 31, 2012

PAINT PEELING ON 2011. *JS

NHTSA ID
10453655
Incident
Oct 6, 2011
Mileage
268 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 25, 2012

TURNING LEFT ONTO A STREET THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXEL BROKE OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10445247
Incident
Dec 30, 2011
Mileage
5,509 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 28, 2011

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED FROM 25 MILES AND ABOVE WITH REAR QUAD CAB DOOR WINDOWS DOWN - ANY HEIGHT - VEHICLES SHAKES VIOLENTLY, NOISE IN CAB MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK. HAVE DONE THIS WITH SINGLE WINDOW DOWN, REAR WINDOW BOTH OPENED AND CLOSED AND VEHICLE STILL SHAKES MAKING VEHICLE HARD TO DRIVE. HAVE NOT TRIED THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS I IMAGINE THE VEHICLE WOULD BE UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10415541
Incident
Jul 24, 2011
Mileage
1,024 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 5, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE WOULD ROLL THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY ALMOST CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,300. BW UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ

NHTSA ID
10374845
Incident
Dec 24, 2010
Mileage
2,300 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .