2011 Ram 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
389 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Ram 2500, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 11/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Steering leads the reports, typically around 38,500 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2011 Ram 2500 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2011 sits among all 2500 years
What owners report
“Tl- the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 2500. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number 13v529000 (steering) and was still waiting for parts from an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The contact has not experienced a failure. Dyd”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 2500
“Exhaust manifold bolts are cracked , 981 hours on the motor and 36,000 miles on the truck, the cab fills with exhaust smell, the bolts are defective see odi 10937913”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 2500
“Death wobble at highway speeds 2 recalls for tie rods have been peformed. This problem is continuing, most recently on 4/24/2016.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 2500
“Truck would not start due to faulty timp module. Luckily it was parked at home, but needed towed.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 2500
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 214 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 43,059 miles. Half of those reports fall between 27,000 and 73,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
Fix: 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. Owners may contact…
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 20V024.
Technical service bulletins
275 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2011 Ram 2500. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 Ram 2500 reliable?
The 2011 Ram 2500 drew 389 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 11/100, scored against the model's worst year (2018).
What are the most common 2011 Ram 2500 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Ram 2500 are steering (211 complaints), engine (40), and suspension (37).
At what mileage do 2011 Ram 2500 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Ram 2500 problems around 43,059 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 27,000 and 73,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Ram 2500 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Ram 2500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.