RoadVitals

2011 Dodge Ram 5500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
22
Latest Mar 22, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Ram 5500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering1135.5%
  • Fuel system619.4%
  • Engine619.4%
  • Electrical412.9%
  • Visibility13.2%
  • Other / unspecified13.2%
  • Powertrain (other)13.2%
  • Suspension13.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000(STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 10713922 · filed Apr 30, 2015

RECEIVED SAFETY RECALLS #P65/NHTSA 14V-635 AND #N63/NHTSA 13V-527 CHRYSLER STATES IN THEIR NOTICE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE BUT THEY WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE VEHICLE OWNER WHEN THEY ARE. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO CHECK ON THE PARTS. AS OF THIS DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER AND THE DEALER HASN'T AN ANSWER. THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE DEPT EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE. WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. THE FIRE DEPT JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #P27. *TR

NHTSA ID 10711795 · filed Apr 20, 2015
All 11 reports naming steering

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE METAL STEM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING ACTS AS A GUIDE FOR THE SPRINGING ACTION OF THE SENDER. AS THE FUEL PUMP HEATED UP, INDICATED BY THE BLACK AREA ON THE FUEL SENDER, IT HEATED THE METAL TUBE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE TANK. THIS CAUSED A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND A SPILL OF FUEL IN EXCESS OF 25 GALLONS AT A GAS STATION.

NHTSA ID 11030505 · filed Sep 29, 2017

WHILE DRIVING, AT RANDOM, A WARNING WILL DISPLAY STATING THE FOLLOWING: "SERVICE DEF SYSTEM. ENGINE WILL NOT START AT 200 MILES. SEE DEALER" THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 OR MORE TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK. WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 WHICH WE PURCHASED WITH THIS ONE. WHEN WE BRING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CANT GIVE AN EXACT REASON WHY THIS KEEPS OCCURRING. THEY ONCE TOLD ME "ITS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGH WAY WHILE TOWING A VEHICLE." THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE MONTH WE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS A HARD TIME SHUTTING IT OFF & KEEPING IT OFF. THIS SYSTEM LOCK-DOWN OF OUR RAM TOW TRUCK'S IS UNPREDICTABLE, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR OUR BUSINESS & NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED AND FIXED.

NHTSA ID 10826107 · filed Feb 15, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) SYSTEM FAILURE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH WARNING TO HAVE SERVICED OR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER XX MILES. WAS DEF SYSTEM, PIPE, INJECTOR, AND SENSORS.

NHTSA ID 10983231 · filed May 3, 2017

-CONTROL MODULES REQUIRE UPDATES (ECM AND TCM) WHICH YOU HAVE TO PAY $120.00 FOR THE UPDATES. IT MAY CAUSE DRIVABILITY ISSUES. -INTAKE TUBE CLAMPS NEED REPLACING WHICH YOU CAN'T BUY THE CLAMP YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE INTAKE HOSE FOR $379.92.

NHTSA ID 10855080 · filed Apr 12, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

-CONTROL MODULES REQUIRE UPDATES (ECM AND TCM) WHICH YOU HAVE TO PAY $120.00 FOR THE UPDATES. IT MAY CAUSE DRIVABILITY ISSUES. -INTAKE TUBE CLAMPS NEED REPLACING WHICH YOU CAN'T BUY THE CLAMP YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE INTAKE HOSE FOR $379.92.

NHTSA ID 10855080 · filed Apr 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICES WERE RECEIVED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10715922 · filed May 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR TANK IS CRACKED AND WILL NOT HOLD FLUID. DRIVING INTO THE SUN THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED CLEARING AND NO FLUID TO CLEAN IT. BASICALLY DRIVING BLIND UNTIL OUT OF THE GLARE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10617954 · filed Jul 31, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE TIE ROD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,775. UPDATED 9/10/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR. NEW STEERING TIRES WERE INSTALLED 3 TIMES IN A SPAN OF 2 YEARS. THERE WERE 23,00 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 9/13/2013*JS

NHTSA ID 10535322 · filed Aug 14, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN) MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SUPPLIED THE PART TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER (JEFF WYLER EASTGATE AUTO MALL, 513-752-3447) WAS CALLED AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11080830 · filed Mar 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER WAS TRAVELING EAST ON NICHOLSON LANE, SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO NEBEL ST. AT WHICH TIME HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH OR LESS. THE DRIVER MADE THE TURN AND LOST STEERING ON THE 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 AND WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC ON NEBEL ST. STRIKING 3 VEHICLES. THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE ACCIDENT TO BE A MECHANICAL FAILURE. A CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT WAS NOT. THIS IS THE SECOND 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 THAT HAS HAD THE SAME FAILURE. BOTH RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS ACCIDENT INVOLVED OTHER PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. I HAVE FULL DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREVIOUS ACCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED IN 2011 ON A VEHICLE WITH VIN: [XXX] WHICH HAD APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I BEGGED CHRYSLER TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM THEN, THEY DENIED ANY FAULTY PARTS AND CLAIMED THE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE TRUCK SINCE THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 2/1/2013. PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN STOP ANY FURTHER INJURY AND OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 05/09/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID 10504377 · filed Mar 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .