10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #20

Sep 042025

Ram 1500

  • miles
I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me before I could put on my warning blinkers.Eventually, I turned off and on the pickup and everything worked somewhat normally but the vehicle went into limp mode. I got home, had the vehicle towed to the dealership. I explained issue, requested a total diagnosis of everything that was wrong but most importantly, I wanted the total power loss issue diagnosed, pinpointed and resolved. because I don't feel safe driving until issue is truly diagnosed and fixed. I gave them my lifetimecarmaxplus warranty. The techs found a list of parts that needed to be fixed besides the power loss problem, but told me they couldn't fix the total power loss because no codes had been thrown. I explained that since there was a total power loss it was reported by other Dodge techs that no codes could be retrieved. I asked the service manager to ask his tech what diagnostics were used and to what extent to determine the problem. He said he would call me after talking to his tech but never did. I went to the dealership 2 weeks later and asked what he found out from his tech. He was confused and apparently never did anything more about the situation. I called Chrysler warranty, they gave me a case number but again seemed oblivious to the total power loss and fixing this major safety issue. No one has attempted to address the problem or offered to have another mechanic inspect the vehicle. There were no codes that I saw on the dash and I did try to immediately retrieve any but none came up. The front passenger window locks also had been working intermittently 2 mos prior. My husband reported vehicle going in limp mode briefly 2 days prior to...all electrical issues

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #19

Jan 312021

Ram 1500

  • miles
In January 2021 I had to replace the driver's side caliper and CV axle, due to caliper malfunction. In February 2022 I had the same problem and had to replace the CV axle and caliper again due to caliper malfunctioning a second time.

- Pleasant Hill, MO, USA

problem #18

Jul 312021

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Hydraulic control unit, anti-lock brake system failed which resulted in "no brakes". Truck went through garage door. Could have happened on the road or stopping for pedestrian's. Problems reported to and confirmed by an independent service. The hydraulic control unit has not been inspected. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The hydraulic control unit was kept by the independent service and can be inspected. Parts have been replaced.

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #17

Jul 312021

Ram 1500

  • miles
Driving up to closed garage door going approximately 2 mph. Catastrophic brake failure and vehicle went through garage door. 1. Total brake failure due to failure of "hydraulic control unit, Anti-lock brake system. A. Unit was replaced by PTL Tire & Auto in Ham Lake because of safety issue. B. Part available for inspection - unknown (PTL Tire & Auto is looking to see if they still have the part.. C. PTL can write a letter regarding the failure. 2. Total brake failure while driving up to garage door. 3. Confirmed by independent service (PTL Tire & Auto) 4. Vehicle was not inspected except for independent service. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #16

Sep 242020

Ram 1500

  • 176,199 miles
Wheel bearings transmission brakes alternator battery sitting still with alternator and battery and in motion with wheel bearings brakes and transmission

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #15

Jul 092018

Ram 1500

  • 65,000 miles
Took my vehicle to outer banks Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram after making appt and confirming the part was in for the recall18V-160. Advised it would take 2.5 hours to fix. 7 hours later when I called to pick it up they advised me the part is not yet available for my year truck. Website says it is. They lied & didn't fix it.

- Manteo, NC, USA

problem #14

Nov 142016

Ram 1500

  • 80,000 miles
On multiple occasions, the engine has died while turning at an intersection. On every occasion I was traveling at the posted speed limit prior to slowing down in anticipation of the turn. On every occasion the engine died right in the middle of the turn, causing me to lose both power steering and brakes, forcing me to just manhandle it to avoid collisions and hoping the guy behind me didn't plow into my rear end. I took the vehicle to the nearest dealer service center but they were unable to diagnose the problem or fix it.

- Cleveland, MS, USA

problem #13

Mar 112017

Ram 1500

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that both brake calipers failed and caused the rotors to fail. There were no warning indicators illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #12

Mar 212017

Ram 1500

  • 85,000 miles
Takata recall the tipm went bad in my truck at 85,000 miles. Truck will not start at times, it will lock me out of my own vehicle (thank god my kids were never locked in). The fuel pump runs constantly even when the truck is turned off because the tipm does not allow it to turn off. It affects all of my electrical stuff, including radio, power locks and power windows. My windows will role down out of nowhere when the vehicle is turned off, and the windows will not role back up. The backup camera will come on while I am driving forward, my radio will freeze up to where I can no do anything to it. My key gets stuck in the ignition and will not come out! the whole entire truck just locks up. When you're driving, and it decides to shut off out of nowhere, I lose all power!!! no brakes or steering!!! its uncontrollable!! there has been many many complaints of this problem with the tipm in the 2011 Ram 1500 including people almost getting into accidents. My friend also had this same problem and totaled his truck because it locked up on him while driving! all of these complaints and well aware of the problem, Ram still decides not to recall it or even fix it!! if I was aware of this and known the danger I put myself in and others in everyday, I would have never purchased this vehicle!!

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #11

Mar 092017

Ram 1500

  • 58,000 miles
The cab brake light and the tail lights stay on, and the brake is not being applied. Getting the factory trailer brake light flashing, anti skid light on dash, and the 4WD service light on dash.

- North Ogden, UT, USA

problem #10

Mar 102016

Ram 1500

  • 72,000 miles
While driving on a 2 lane road at 50 mph approx speed, the engine shut off. Power steering and power brakes became extremely stiff, but I was able to muscle truck to shoulder. After stopping, I put it in park, the key was still in on position; turned key and engine started. I have owned this truck for 45 days and this has happened twice at totally random times. I am very fortunate I was on a road without much traffic. Had I been in a steering, passing or other situation, I could have been in a serious accident I learned from internet that this is a frequent complaint of Ram owners and other Chrysler product vehicle owners, and that a recall has been issued for certain Chrysler vehicles already. The faulty part was the tipm module. There is also a class action lawsuit in process involving other Chrysler vehicles not yet recalled, including the model I own. I took the vehicle into the dealer, and they could not positively identify the cause. They would not agree to replace tipm even though I'm under warranty, but instead wanted to do software updates on several "modules" and said if it happened again, I should bring it back. Totally unacceptable!!! I called Ram customer care and explained that the vehicle is dangerous and that I cannot accept a software update in the hope it fixes it given the tipm history of these vehicles. They advised that there were no diagnostic "codes" present, so they would not replace the tipm. They then admitted that a faulty tipm would not produce any codes, but again said they needed to rule out a software issue first by trial and error and refused to replace the tipm even though there was no way to diagnose if it was faulty. My son is driving this truck to college, and I am not about to risk him being killed in this vehicle so I was forced to pay $1,350 for a new tipm. Ram needs to recall these immediately.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 032016

Ram 1500

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 25 mph making a right turn, the vehicle shook hard without warning. The brake pedal traveled to the floor when it was depressed. The contact had no control over the steering and the wheel would not move. The contact crashed into another vehicle and the brakes returned to normal. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and a knot on the left side. Medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

- London, KY, USA

problem #8

Dec 012011

Ram 1500

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated without warning to approximately 100 mph. The contact attempted to apply the brakes, but the brakes failed. The contact turned the ignition off and the interior lights turned off; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact shifted into neutral and the vehicle ran off the road. The vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and the engine revved even though the ignition was turned off. Prior to the failure, the vehicle came to a rolling stop when it was placed in park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that there was no failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to sell the contact a new vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Machias, NY, USA

problem #7

Jul 182015

Ram 1500

  • 57,000 miles
We were traveling home July 18th on the interstate when the truck started shaking and he tried to get off the interstate on an exit. The stearing messed up and he like to have not got it stopped before we were running out of ramp. It' was light not having control of the wheel or brakes. When we got stopped he opened the hood to see if he could see a problem there. He also walked aroung the entire truck checking tires. We finally decided to try it again. We were then only about 60 miles from home. We drove slower the rest of the way because that was a very scary thing to have happen. Our granddaughter had softball practice wed. Night in knoxville tenn. It wasn't as bad as as the 18th but it done it a few times on us again. We haul presious cargo, our granddaughters, it scares us to death driving with them in tha truck. I taled to Chrysler 3 days ago and she told me I would get an email in a day or 2. she also has us an appointment to get the bolt put on on August 17th. But our concerns are it may have more damage because of the brakes and steering doing this. We only bought this truck on April 19th 2015. The recalls are from 2013. Why weren't they fixed then? the truck had not even turned over 50,00 miles when we bought it. We bought it because it had low miles and we want a safe vehicle to travel to her games and practices. Now we are afraid that something will happen and they might get hurt. I tried to call them again today, July 31st I was on hold for over 4 hrs.never did get a real person to answer.

- London, KY, USA

problem #6

May 172015

Ram 1500

  • miles
The contact owned a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph on a hill, the brake pedal failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle flipped about one hundred yards and crashed landing upright. A police report was filed. There were two unknown injured that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 292014

Ram 1500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the pistons disintegrated and caused the brakes to malfunction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Marysville, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 192011

Ram 1500

  • 6,800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle failed to shift out of park. In addition, the contact stated that the brake light illuminated without the brakes being applied. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing where the brake sensor spring was adjusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 6,800.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #3

Dec 012011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Began when I purchased truck of integrated brake failure later turned into bad instrument cluster, visor short, new brake controller and lots of hours. When starting vehicle wipers come on, no interior lights, no turn signals (inside or outside) no heat, no radio no trailer brakes. Now vehicle has been at Dodge for 2 weeks. They replaced, instrument cluster, wiring harness, TPMS and problem remains. Very unsafe to drive as no indicators and wipers constantly on. Problem began around 1 month after purchase and plagues me today. I have extended warranty and I am charged $100 per visit. Customer care will not provide me with options I must dictate my choices. Terrible service.

- Rentz, GA, USA

problem #2

Apr 132013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the anti lock braking warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to set the cruise control. The vehicle was not inspected for cause of failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer suggested a diagnostics test which was not performed. The failure and current mileage was 43,000. Updated 6/14/13 the consumer stated after inspecting the ABS lighting system it was found that the sensor needed to replaced. Updated 07/17/2013

- Calimesa, CA, USA

problem #1

May 062012

Ram 1500

  • 29,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact was leaving an intersection at 35 mph and applied the brakes as a vehicle attempted a left turn in from the opposite side of the roadway. The brake pedal traveled to the floorboard abnormally and did not respond. The contact crashed into the side of the preceding vehicle. No one was injured and the vehicle was towed to an auto body shop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that they would send an investigator to inspect the brake failure. The contact had experienced the brake failure once prior to the crash. The failure mileage was 29,000.

- Columbus, GA, USA