BestCarRank
Dodge

2011 Dodge RAM 5500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Dodge RAM 5500 has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 51. The most common issue is steering problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 5500. the contact stated that while driving 5 mph, he heard a loud clunking sound. after inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the tie rod had fractured. the contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under the manufacturer's recall fo. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 2 crash reports 4 injuries

34

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

11 complaints
32%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FO
  • • DRIVER WAS TRAVELING EAST ON NICHOLSON LANE, SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO NEBEL ST. AT WHICH TIME HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH OR LESS. THE DRIVER MADE THE TURN AND LOST STEERING ON THE 2011 DODGE RAM 5500 AND WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC ON NEBEL ST. STRIKING 3 VEHICLES. THE ACCIDENT INVE
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS D
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Dodge RAM 5500

Based on 17 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
7
30-60K
3
60-100K
3
100-150K
2
150-200K
2
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
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 5500

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 5500, 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
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FO

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

  • ☐
    ENGINE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WE TOOK IT IN TO GO ARAPAHOE DODGE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE NOT SURE IF SOMETHING IS WRONG W/ THE ENGINE BECAUSE DODGE CAN NOT GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. THE WARRANTY WE CURRENTLY POSSESS IS ONLY APP

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

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: CONTACTED BY CHRYSLER ON OR ABOUT 12/1/2014, CONCERNING RECALL, P65. THIS RECALL EFFECTS THE DIESEL FUEL HEATER ASSEMBLY, WHICH AS NOTIFIED BY CHRYSLER COULD CAUSE A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. AS OF AN INQUIRY ON 2/18/2015, THEY STILL HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR MAKING PARTS AND REPAIRS AVAILABL

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

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WE TOOK IT IN TO GO ARAPAHOE DODGE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE NOT SURE IF SOMETHING IS WRONG W/ THE ENGINE BECAUSE DODGE CAN NOT GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. THE WARRANTY WE CURRENTLY POSSESS IS ONLY APP

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

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

Dodge RAM 5500 — Year Comparison

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

2012
51Below Average
2011
34Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
51

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Dodge RAM 5500

Compare With

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