TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL AFTER REPEATEDLY ENGAGING THE BRAKES WITH FORCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER A HITCHED TRAILER WAS BEING TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TEN TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INCORRECT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →
THE LEFT TIE ROD ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BROKE. THIS WAS AFTER THE PART HAD BEEN RECALLED IN MARCH OF 2012 WHICH WAS TAKEN IN AND SERVICED THE SAME MONTH PER THE NOTICE. I WAS RETURNING MY FIFTH WHEEL TO STORAGE WHEN THE TIE ROD SNAPPED. BACKING IN SLOWLY NO MORE THAN 5 MPH. NEEDLESS TO SAY I REFUSE TO TOW MY 5TH WHEEL ANYMORE WITH THE RAM 3500 AS HAD IT BROKE WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES AND POTENTIAL FATALITIES. I AM TRYING TO CONFIRM IF DODGE HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE FOR 2013 AS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS ON FORUMS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME TIE ROD FAILURES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING THE STEERING TIE ROD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,985.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIE ROD WITH AN AFTER MARKET PART. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. *TR
TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON GALEN ROAD IN LAFAYETTE TENNESSEE AT 45MPH I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END THAT WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP I LATER CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE WHICH WAS GOOD I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING. UPON MORE INVESTIGATION I FOUND OUT THE SLANG FOR THIS IS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE.. AFTER SPENDING 60,000.00 ON THIS TRUCK I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF A PERMANENT FIX . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE TIE ROD FRACTURED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BEND INWARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE HOW TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
DRIVING AT NIGHT GOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN ALL SYSTEMS FAILED, NO ENGINE, NO POWER BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING AND WORST OF ALL, NO LIGHTS. ENGINE WOULDN'T CRANK, FUSE BOX WAS MAKING SNAPPING SOUNDS EVEN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION. AFTER ABOUT 5 MIN TRUCK STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, ABOUT 5 MILES. TRUCK RAN, BUT POORLY. THE NEXT DAY I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DODGE DEALER, TRUCK DID SAME THING (COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE) AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES. I THEN HAD TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. NATURALLY TRUCK RUNS FINE FOR SERVICE TECH, THEY RESET A BUNCH OF CODES, BUT COULD FIND NOTHING DEFINITIVE. UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DO MORE. THIS FILLS ME WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE. IN 4 DAYS I NEED TO TAKE THIS TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER FROM WA TO AZ FOR WORK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN BAR LYING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,400.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIT AN ASPHALT PATCH TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY HAD TO COME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE IT STOPPED. *TR
2011 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING LEFT TIRE ROD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ONLY INSPECTED THE TIE ROD AND TIGHTENED THE TRACK BAR. SIX MONTHS LATER THE TIE ROD BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW TRUCK FROM A LOCAL SAVANNAH, GEORGIA DEALER IN 2011. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A TREE FELL ON HIS 9 MONTH OLD TRUCK WITH ONLY 12,000 MILES ON IT. HE HAD BODY DAMAGE ONLY BUT THE TRUCK WAS RENDERED "TOTALED OUT" BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. WE PAID OFF THE LOAN WITH THE INSURANCE PAY OFF AND THEN, AFTER NEGOTIATIONS, WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK BACK FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. WE THEN HAD THE REPAIRS COMPLETED (AGAIN, BODY REPAIRS ONLY). THE TRUCK WAS INSPECTED AND GIVEN A "SALVAGED/REBUILT" TITLE. NOW...DODGE IS REFUSING US ANY FACTORY ENGINE/POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY ARE REFUSING (ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL LOCAL DEALER) TO REPAIR THE SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS: (1) LEFT TIE ROD END AND (2) 2011 DJD2 6.7L ECM FLUSH. WE ARE ALSO TO BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST MOST SEVERE SAFETY RECALL WAS PUT OUT BEFORE THE TRUCK WAS EVEN IN THE CRASH. WE HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH EITHER DODGE OR THE DEALER THROUGH SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND SPEAKING WITH SUPERVISORS. BOTH DODGE AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE REFUSING TO DO ANY SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS ON OUR VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE IS A RESTRICTION ON OUR TITLE WHICH PREVENTS THEM FROM MAKING ANY REPAIRS... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY) IN MARCH OF 2012 HOWEVER, THE TIE ROD RECENTLY FRACTURED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE SMELL IN THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING THE OCCUPANTS NAUSEOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. AFTER SOME TIME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE DIESEL FUEL WAS INJECTED INTO THE EXHAUST AND WAS MIXED IN WITH THE OIL, CAUSING THE SMELL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V350000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A PENDING LEMON LAW CASE FILED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEVER FOR THE INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE HIS LEFT KNEE AREA ON THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD REPEATEDLY STRIKE HIS KNEE ON THE LEVER. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS OVER POSSIBLE FUTURE INJURIES AND STATED THAT THE LEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN POSITIONED ELSEWHERE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
THIS TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED A DRAMATIC SHIMMY/WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS 70 MPH AND HITTING BUMPS OR EXPANSION JOINTS. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED STEERING DAMPER BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE SITUATION. *TR
DRIVING THRU DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK TITUS CANYON, A 26 MILE GRADED ROAD, THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. AT THE LOW SPEEDS I HAD TO DRIVE, NUMEROUS SWITCHBACKS AND SLOW GOING, IS WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO THE STEER THIS NEW VEHICLE. I CHECKED THE BELTS, OIL LEVEL AND FELT THE PUMP TO SEE IF IT WAS HOT AND ALL WERE OK. IT TOOK BEING PARKED OVERNITE TO GET THE STEERING TO COME BACK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER SINCE 01/25/12 AND THEY HAVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. CONTACTED RAM SERVICE MEGHAN CASE # 21827429 @ 800-763-8422. AS OF NOW THEY JUST WANT ME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, AS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE, AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND A SIMULAR ISSUE ON THE DODGE TALK FORUM. I FEEL THIS STEERING PUMP IS UNDERDESIGNED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AS I DO NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE 3500 MEGACAB 4X4. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND AS HE STEERED TO THE RIGHT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILURE WAS AN INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,149.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,875 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600.
THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW OCTOBER 2010 AND IN DECEMBER 2010 WE HAD TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE WHEN YOU TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT, YOU COULD SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. DODGE ORDERED A NEW SEAT PAD AND REPLACED IT ON 1/11/11 AND WHEN WE TOOK IT IN WE ALSO MADE THEM AWARE THAT THE POWER SEAT ENTRY HAD STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN YOU USED THE SWITCH TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK, IT WENT ALL THE WAY FORWARD NEARLY PINNING MY HUSBAND IN THE SEAT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT. DODGE RECALIBRATED THE DRIVERS SEAT, BUT SEAT STILL NEVER FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY. ON 2/15/11 I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO DODGE DUE TO THE HEATED SEAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND STILL SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WHEN IN USE. DODGE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY JUST THE "NEW" WEARING OFF. THE POWER SEAT NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND WE WOULD JUST LEAVE IT IN ONE POSITION AND TRY NOT TO MOVE IT. IF YOU DID MOVE IT SOMETIMES YOU COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE. SPRING CAME AND WE DIDN'T USE THE HEATED SEAT. ON 12/25/11 WE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HEATED SEATS AND THEY DID NOT HEAT BUT WE SMELT ELECTRICAL SMELL AGAIN. WE PROMPTLY DISENGAGED THE HEAT. ON 12/27/11 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK TO THE DODGE HOUSE AND AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED FROM BELOW HIS SEAT AND THE SEAT BEGAN MOVING ON ITS OWN FORWARD ATTEMPTING TO PIN HIM BETWEEN THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOODNESS HE WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIS FEET FOWARD TO PUSH BACK ON THE SEAT, GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND GET O
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600. UPDATED 01/18/12 LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER. IT DID NOT APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES PROPERLY. IT WOULD WORK, WHEN THE MANUAL LEVEL WAS USED, BUT NOT WHEN THE TRUCK BRAKES WERE APPLIED. UPDATED 01/19/12
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY.UPON HITTING A POT HOLE OR EXPANTION JOINT THE TRUCK DEVELOPES A VIOLENT SHAKE AND OR WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER REPLACED THE SWAY BAR SHOCK ON THE SWAY BAR ARM AND INSPECTED THE REMAINING PARTS ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK FINDING THEM IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER THE BEFORE MENTIONED WORK WAS PERFORMED THE SHAKE AND OR WOBBLE IS STILL PRESENT. IT IS TRUELLY A "DEATH WOBBLE" AS THE DRIVER HAS LITTLE TO NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A TIME AND COULD EASILY BECOME ENVOLVED IN OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLY BEING FATAL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. NO MATTER HOW THE GAIN IS ADJUSTED THE BRAKE CONTROLLER EITHER ENGAGES THE TRAILER BRAKES TO THE POINT OF LOCK UP OR THE TRAILER BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE AT ALL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, IN AN EMERGENCY STOP THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRAILER TO JACK KNIFE OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE TOW VEHICLE. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE CONTROLLER. MANY PEOPLE REPORT THAT THE CONTROLLER WORKS SPORADICALLY, EITHER THE TRAILER BRAKES LOCK UP OR THEY DON'T ACTUATE AT ALL. THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A FAULTY PRODUCT AND IS VERY UNSAFE FOR TOWING. HAVING YOUR TRAILER BRAKES LOCK UP OR NOT COME ON AT ALL IS A LIFE OR DEATH MATTER. I HAVE READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND HAVE ADJUSTED THE GAIN MANY TIMES AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER FAILS EVERY TIME IT IS USED. *TR
LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND A HOLE IN THE CONDENSOR LINE BEHIND THE OPENING IN THE FRONT BUMPER WHERE THE RADIATOR, A/C COOLING LINES, TRANSMISION COOLER ALL SIT EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS, SUCH AS ROCKS, DEBRIS OR ANY OTHER SHARP OBJECT THAT MAY ENTER THROUGH THE OPENING STRIKING THE CRITICAL POWERTRAIN COOLERS. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND MAY BE CLAIMED ON YOUR VEHICLE INSURANCE. THERE IS NO PROTECTION ON THIS OPEN LOWER AREA, WHERE THE RADIATOR IS PROTECTED BY THE VEHICLE FRONT GRILL. THERE IS NO AFTERMARKET GRILL THAT CAN BE PURCHASED TO PROTECT THESE COMPONENTS. EARLIER MODEL DODGE TRUCKS HAD LOWER GRILL COVERS FOR THE BUMPER COOLING OPENING. *TT
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN MY 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 STEERING LOCKED FOR JUST A SECOND. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT IT DID SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. THERE WAS NO CONTROL FOR JUST A SECOND. THIS HAS NO RE-OCCURRED BUT I HAVE SLOWED DOWN ON MY TURNS. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND HAVE A APPOINTMENT THIS NEXT WEEK. *TR
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2011 Dodge Ram 3500 → · Every Ram 3500 year → · How the figures are calculated →