2011 Dodge Ram 5500

Routine

Owners filed 22 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering8
102
Fuel/Propulsion System4
000
Electrical System3
010
Engine2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Power Train1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel1
010

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift17V821000
Filed Dec 20, 20171,482,874 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. 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 trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Risk. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy. 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 customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator16V739000
Filed Oct 13, 201674,811 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. 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 may suddenly fail.

Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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 at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

Fuel System, Diesel14V635000
Filed Oct 8, 2014315,325 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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 necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly13V527000
Filed Nov 6, 201336,151 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is R16.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Mar 22, 2018KY

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 29, 2017TX

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.

Engine
Filed May 3, 201777,093 milesMI

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 12, 201611,913 milesDE

-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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 15, 2016103,782 milesCT

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 5, 2016MO

THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE BUY BACK PROGRAM. CHRYSLERS 3RD PARTY TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS TO FILE THE PAPERWORK WITH A PRELIMINARY OFFER OF 35 THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THE BUY BACK. AT THE TIME THEY GUARANTEED THAT PRICE AND THAT IT COULD NOT BE LOWERED. NOW THEY ARE COMING BACK AND OFFERING 24K FOR THE SAME VEHICLE AND ARE REFUSING TO SPEAK TO US UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNLESS WE DECLINE THE OFFER OR ACCEPT THE OFFER. FCA AND IMPARTIAL SERVICES IS REFUSING TO RE-PURCHASE OR REPAIR OUR VEHICLE THAT IS PART OF THE 13V-527 CAMPAIGN. WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THEM NON STOP SINCE OCTOBER OF 2015 AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REACH NHTSA AND EVEN YOU GUYS ARE REFUSING TO ASSIST. SO WE STILL HAVE A BROKEN TRUCK IN OUR DRIVEWAY THAT FCA WILL NOT FIX!!!!!!!!..UPDATED 01/20/16 *BF

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › DieselFire
Filed Jun 1, 2015LA

2011 DODGE RAM 5500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 12, 2015ND

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.

Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2015NM

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 20, 2015CO

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 18, 2015NC

CONTACTED BY CHRYSLER ON OR ABOUT 12/1/2014, CONCERNING RECALL, P65. THIS RECALL EFFECTS THE DIESEL FUEL HEATER ASSEMBLY, WHICH AS NOTIFIED BY CHRYSLER COULD CAUSE A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. AS OF AN INQUIRY ON 2/18/2015, THEY STILL HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR MAKING PARTS AND REPAIRS AVAILABLE. OUR FIRST INQUIRY ON 12-19-2014, YIELDED THE SAME RESULTS. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER 2/18/2015, WHO STATED "THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL". *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 6, 201553,825 milesMO

LEFT SIDE TIE ROD END BROKE OFF AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THIS OCCURRED IN OUR PARKING LOT AS THE TRUCK PULLED IN AT THE END OF THE DAY. THANKFULLY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD!!!

Steering
Filed Sep 18, 2014NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 31, 201426,000 milesCA

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

Steering
Filed May 19, 201460 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.

Steering
Filed Feb 28, 2014OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Steering
Filed Nov 18, 201316,908 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED DUE TO A SHEERED OUTER BOLT JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,908.

Steering
Filed Sep 13, 201347,621 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE STEERING CYLINDER TO BEND. AS A RESULT, THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AND THE STEERING CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V657000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,621.

Wheels
Filed Aug 14, 201320,000 milesPA

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

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 25, 2013172,448 milesMD

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

20 of 22 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201240940Routine
2011 — this page22420Routine
20100100Do not drive
20097310Do not drive
200819320Do not drive

Compare every Ram 5500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 20, 2017. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.