2011 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the front steering and suspension, particularly tie rod breakage and a violent front-end shake after hitting a bump at highway speed. Many complaints involve waiting for recall parts at the dealer, and a smaller number describe diesel fuel smell, loss of power or stalling, and power steering or brake assist dropping out.

1. 1
   Steering

   Tie rod breaks, losing steering control

   • 125 complaints (56%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2019

   Complaints describe the left, and sometimes the right, front tie rod fracturing or separating, often at parking-lot or driveway speeds while turning or reversing, and in some cases the steering wheel seizing or the truck pulling hard to one side. Several owners say the part broke again after a recall repair had already been performed. Many report that dealers inspected the truck, confirmed the tie rod needed replacement, but had no part available and put them on a waiting list for weeks or months. Reported from a few thousand miles up to well past 100,000 miles, with many between roughly 15,000 and 75,000 miles.

   Recall 13V529000Recall 11V350000

   What to check: Ask whether the tie rod recall work was completed and keep the paperwork; have the front tie rods and ball studs inspected on a lift before towing or long trips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was driving down street, stopped to back into driveway and steering linkage broke. This was a factory recall problem (n49/NHTSA 13v-529). I have been on a waiting list for parts since february, 2014. I have been told the parts were backordered and I would be notified when parts were available. When my truck was sitting in their service entrance (via tow truck) they suddenly had the parts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10630507, filed 2014-09, 117,454 miles

   “I have received a recall for my truck n49/NHTSA 13v-529 relating to the steering failure. I was mailed this recall in december of 2013 and in january 2014 made an appointment to have the problem fixed. I have now been told that the parts required are being held back and only shipped to each dealer 1 part every 7 days. I am presently #12 on my dealers list. This means that my truck will be on-safe to drive for the next 12 weeks not counting the time prior. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10562970, filed 2014-02, 28,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Front-end shake after hitting a bump ("death wobble")

   • 22 complaints (10%)
   • median 34,750 mi at 4.0 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners describe a sudden, violent shaking of the front end after hitting a bump, expansion joint or uneven pavement, usually at highway speed, that continues until the truck is slowed well down. Several say the steering damper, track bar, ball joints, shocks or stabilizer were replaced and the shake returned or only partly improved. Some link it to worn front suspension parts, and a few mention the shake while towing. Reported from under 5,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, commonly between roughly 15,000 and 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive it at highway speed over expansion joints and rough pavement before buying, and have the track bar, steering damper, tie rods and ball joints checked for wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “From 45 to 70 MPH. If you hit a bump just right in the road it will cause the steering to violently shake and have to slow to 30 MPH to bring back to normal. Ball joints steering stabilizer track bar have all been replaced truck had been to shop for alignment. Tires were put on around 90k and truck had around 98k when death wobble started happening I do not feel safe hauling anything with this vehicle or having my family ride with me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10750196, filed 2015-08, 98,000 miles

   “At 34500 miles. The front suspension track bar was completely worn out. As a result at 40 MPH (hwy 2 in mt driving straight in the east bound lane) I experienced such a vibration that the truck was uncontrollable and my only option was to slow down without braking. Luckily there were no oncoming traffic so no accident or damage to the truck occurred, thank god. I replaced the track bar and the steering damper as well and the truck is now fine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11053465, filed 2017-12, 34,500 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering and brake assist drop out

   • 27 complaints (12%)
   • median 66,047 mi at 4.1 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel seizing or jerking to one side, or the power assist for both steering and brakes disappearing, sometimes while slowing for a turn or lights and sometimes at highway speed. Dealers in some cases replaced the power steering pump, cooler, steering shaft or hoses; others could not determine the cause. One owner reports a hissing noise from the steering column area and a soft brake pedal from a steering hose problem. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 20,000 to 170,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and hose condition, and ask whether the pump, cooler or steering shaft has been replaced; test slow turns and braking from speed on the test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Lost my brakes and steering while driving down the hwy doing 65. Lost all brake power and power steering.the motor runs but have no brakes and power steering. Looking at it I'm not the only one who has had this problem. I have 2 young kids and they could have been badly hurt if I wasn't able to man handle the truck. Definitely a safety issue that needs to be looked into. Not sure what is causing it. Is there anything you can do to look into this cause now I'm scared to drive my truck. Especially with my kids in it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11003078, filed 2017-07, 170,000 miles

   “The upper steering hose inner plastic tube becomes loose or breaks and lodges into the metal fitting which causes a loud hissing noise under the sterring wheel. Because it is also connected to the brakes, the pedal becomes unsafely soft. Dodge/ram needs to recall this as it a known issue all over the internet and becomes a real danger when braking hard or towing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10732524, filed 2015-07, 89,770 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling, hard starting and ignition switch issues

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes over rough roads, with the driver having to work the ignition to restart and losing power steering and brake assist in the meantime. Others report needing several attempts to start, or a truck that would not shut off, which dealers traced to the ignition switch or module. A few describe headlights failing or a trailer brake controller not applying trailer brakes. Reported from very low mileage up to about 145,000 miles, with several between roughly 20,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 16V7390002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start it several times cold and warm, and ask whether the ignition switch, TIPM or alternator has been replaced; test the trailer brake controller with a trailer if you plan to tow.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It takes several attempts to start the vehicle. There is a problem with the ignition switch. It has to be in the perfect spot for the engine to fire. With in the past week, the truck will no shut down while driving. Fortunately all incident have been on dirty streets .”

   NHTSA complaint #11014236, filed 2017-08, 20 miles

   “When going on rough roads vehicle shuts off. Have to manipulate ignition to get to start again. My family has 3 of these trucks and all are having these same issues. Just had ignition module replaced on a 2012 ram with 100000 miles because it shut off when going down road and frightened driver. When truck dies you have no power steering or brakes. Search on internet shows this to be a common problem to many with trucks of this year.”

   NHTSA complaint #11288127, filed 2019-12, 97,500 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Diesel fuel heater connector and fuel smell

   • 26 complaints (12%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners report a strong diesel fuel odor inside the cab while driving, in one case with fuel apparently mixing into the engine oil and the truck failing to start. Others describe power loss at highway speed, repeated stalling for short periods, or an overheating smell after a long drive, with dealers and independent shops unable to pinpoint the cause. Some owners were told the parts needed for the diesel fuel heater recall were unavailable. Mostly reported between roughly 1,500 and 70,000 miles.

   Recall 14V6350001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the diesel fuel heater connector recall was completed, and check for a fuel smell under the hood and around the oil filler after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2011 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning for 10-20 seconds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who made unknown repairs. However, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10694774, filed 2015-03, 15,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10456847, filed 2012-04, 1,700 miles

Buying note. Have the front steering and suspension inspected closely and confirm in writing that the tie rod recalls were completed, since many complaints center on those parts. Also check for fuel odor, ask about ignition and charging system repairs, and budget for front-end wear items on a high-mileage truck.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.