2011 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
297 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Ram 3500, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 28/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 42,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2011 sits among all 3500 years
What owners report
“At random any time the truck goes over a bump in the road at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 3500
“The track bar on the front suspension came loose and started to shake the truck violently making me loose control and go into a ditch.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 3500
“We have noticed for the last month or so our truck shutting of randomly while driving, however 2/7/2016 coming home in the dark at 80 miles per hour the truck shut off driving down the freeway. I have a brother same model truck experiencing the same issues. This is a safety concer, the truck and…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 3500
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 153 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 50,300 miles. Half of those reports fall between 19,786 and 96,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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 (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…
Fix: 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…
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
285 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2011 Ram 3500. 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 3500 reliable?
The 2011 Ram 3500 drew 297 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 28/100, scored against the model's worst year (2018).
What are the most common 2011 Ram 3500 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Ram 3500 are steering (167 complaints), suspension (28), and engine (27).
At what mileage do 2011 Ram 3500 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Ram 3500 problems around 50,300 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 19,786 and 96,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Ram 3500 have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Ram 3500. 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.