Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Ram 2500 problems
Owners filed 298 complaints about the 2011 Ram 2500 with NHTSA between Jan 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is steering (210).
Complaints
298
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering210
- Suspension37
- Engine29
- Electrical system24
- Fuel/propulsion system17
- Power train16
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Service brakes10
- Structure5
- Wheels4
- Fuel system, diesel4
- Tires3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Exterior lighting2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
11
15
30
142
44
19
7
8
7
5
3
2
0
3
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 142 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
210 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“The steering became uncontrollable and wobbled so violently I could not keep my hands on the wheel. It will be open for inspection at any time. The safety of all other road users and pedestrians were put in grave danger. Due to the complete loss of steering control. This has happened to other ram owners I have talked with as well. The problem was addressed by my local mechanic. He recommended replacing the entire front end steering and suspension components I agreed he did the work, he did the work. I also replaced all four tires with new and had them balanced. Within 2 weeks this death wobble happened. There are no warning lamps for this problem.”
Suspension
37 reports2 crashes
“DEATH WOBBLE - I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. I DROVE OVER A BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT AND SUDDENLY THE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I COULD NOT STEER. I COULD NOT BRAKE. WE NEARLY COLLIDED WITH A HIGHWAY DIVIDER AND OTHER VEHICLES. I HAD TO COAST DOWN TO 30 MPH OR SO WHEN IT RESOLVED ITSELF.”
Engine
29 reports2 fires
“Vehicle was parked and turned off for 4 days. Spontaneously combusted from the engine bay. Local fire department extinguished. No open recalls found, indicating an un-fused component failure.”
Electrical system
24 reports3 fires
“Approximatly 6 years ago My TIPM failed on my 2011 dodge ram 2500. It was not under warrenty so I replaced it myself not knowing this was an ongoing problem with dodge products. My TIPM is again failing. What can be done with it? [XXX]”
Fuel/propulsion system
17 reports
“Some electrical components became inoperative in the quick minute. Fuel pump was running continuedly till the battery was drained. Mechanic, I had used before told me that the TIPM Module was defective and needed replaced. Truck just before the battery died was that not all Eletronic's were working. Interior lights, horn, cruise control, FOBs not responding to the vehicle. Mechanic stated that the TPIM did need to be replaced. Contacted dealership were purchased and they told me that there have been recalls out on this particular part. I know that from 2009 to 2017 there have been several models that were impacted by this part being defective. I do have the invoice from the mechanic that took care of replacing the TIPM module.”
Power train
16 reports2 fires1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES RECURRED ONCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *DT*JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.