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Dodge

2011 Dodge RAM 4500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2011 Dodge RAM 4500 has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (67% of all complaints), specifically: in a slow tight turn the pass side tie rod end sheared off. *tr.

1 crash report

18

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

12 complaints
67%
  • • IN A SLOW TIGHT TURN THE PASS SIDE TIE ROD END SHEARED OFF. *TR
  • • IN A SLOW TIGHT TURN THE PASS SIDE TIE ROD END SHEARED OFF. *TR
  • • WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN CROSSING ON AN OVERPASS, THE STEERING WHEEL START VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. IT GOT SO BAD I HAD TO IMMEDIATE BRAKE HARD AND EXIT THE FREEWAY. IT DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I WAS NEARLY STOPPED. THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND NORMALLY HAS A GOOSENECK
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“IN A SLOW TIGHT TURN THE PASS SIDE TIE ROD END SHEARED OFF. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

3 complaints
17%
  • • WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN CROSSING ON AN OVERPASS, THE STEERING WHEEL START VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. IT GOT SO BAD I HAD TO IMMEDIATE BRAKE HARD AND EXIT THE FREEWAY. IT DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I WAS NEARLY STOPPED. THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND NORMALLY HAS A GOOSENECK
  • • DODGE HAS REFUSED TO REPLACED THE CRITICAL PART AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED BY DODGE EARLY IN 2014 ABOUT THE RECALL. DEALER SAID THAT REPLACEMENT WOULD BE MADE IN MAY 2014. WHEN CONTACTED IN MAY DEALER SAID THE REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT BE MADE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2014. TRUCK HAS A SERIO
  • • THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED IN MAY OR JUNE 2014 AND THE DEALER STILL DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS. SAYS THEY ARE ON BACK-ORDER. *TR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN CROSSING ON AN OVERPASS, THE STEERING WHEEL START VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. IT GOT SO BAD I HAD TO IMMEDIATE BRAKE HARD AND EXIT THE FREEWAY. IT DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I WAS NEARLY STOPPED. THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND NORMALLY HAS A GOOSENECK ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints
11%
  • • OUR DELIVERY DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO SHOP AFTER A DELIVERY. HE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BECOMING VERY HARD WHEN HE PUSHED ON IT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, HE HAD NO BRAKES. HE THEN SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND STARTED TO COAST WIT
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 4500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“OUR DELIVERY DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO SHOP AFTER A DELIVERY. HE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BECOMING VERY HARD WHEN HE PUSHED ON IT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, HE HAD NO BRAKES. HE THEN SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND STARTED TO COAST WIT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaints
6%
  • • TOOK TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR. DIDN'T HAVE PARTS. SAID WOULD CALL WHEN GOT IN. NEVER CALLED. AFRAID TO DRIVE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TOOK TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR. DIDN'T HAVE PARTS. SAID WOULD CALL WHEN GOT IN. NEVER CALLED. AFRAID TO DRIVE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~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 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    STEERING: IN A SLOW TIGHT TURN THE PASS SIDE TIE ROD END SHEARED OFF. *TR

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

  • ☐
    SUSPENSION: WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN CROSSING ON AN OVERPASS, THE STEERING WHEEL START VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. IT GOT SO BAD I HAD TO IMMEDIATE BRAKE HARD AND EXIT THE FREEWAY. IT DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I WAS NEARLY STOPPED. THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND NORMALLY HAS A GOOSENECK

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

  • ☐
    BRAKES: OUR DELIVERY DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO SHOP AFTER A DELIVERY. HE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BECOMING VERY HARD WHEN HE PUSHED ON IT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, HE HAD NO BRAKES. HE THEN SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND STARTED TO COAST WIT

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

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: TOOK TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR. DIDN'T HAVE PARTS. SAID WOULD CALL WHEN GOT IN. NEVER CALLED. AFRAID TO DRIVE

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

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

Dodge RAM 4500 — Year Comparison

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

2012
19Excellent Reliability
2011
18Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Dodge RAM 4500

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