BestCarRank
Dodge

2011 Dodge RAM 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 has 293 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 502. The most common issue is steering problems (56% of all complaints), specifically: 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. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 4 crash reports 5 injuries

293

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

165 complaints
56%
  • • 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
  • • 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 F
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500

Based on 157 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 49K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
53
30-60K
34
60-100K
39
100-150K
19
150-200K
7
200K+
5

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 68 reports
0-30K
23
30-60K
20
60-100K
16
100-150K
5
150-200K
2
200K+
2

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
4
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
1

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
0
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 122K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
2
150-200K
2
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 75K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 70K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
4
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Dodge RAM 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,366
Full coverage / month
$114
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2011 RAM 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 293 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    STEERING: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 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 OPE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    SUSPENSION: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: 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 CU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Dodge RAM 3500 — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2012
502Avoid This Year
2011
293Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
293
Recalls
0
Fire reports
5
Crash reports
4
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
502

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Dodge RAM 3500

Compare With

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