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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering210
  2. Suspension37
  3. Engine29
  4. Electrical system24
  5. Fuel/propulsion system17
  6. Power train16
  7. Engine and engine cooling11
  8. Service brakes10
  9. Structure5
  10. Wheels4
  11. Fuel system, diesel4
  12. Tires3
  13. Vehicle speed control3
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201111
201215
201330
2014142
201544
201619
20177
20188
20197
20205
20213
20222
20230
20243
20251
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2024SteeringODI 11624723

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2017Steering, SuspensionODI 11041489

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2026Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11765679

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]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2025Electrical systemODI 11665348

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11491994

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2019Power train, Electrical systemODI 11280379
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.