The 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,909,161 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN17V8210002017-12-201,482,874 affected
Defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake…
Consequence
Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Consequence
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence
If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April…
STEERING13V5270002013-11-0636,151 affected
Defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence
A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market…
Complaints by component
STEERING
10
SUSPENSION
3
SERVICE BRAKES
2
1crashes
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 4500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the water pump failed which caused the serpentine belt to fracture. The fractured serpentine belt caused the loss of power steering and the vehicle could not be stopped for about 20 miles. The vehicle was not…”
“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.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 4500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 13v527000 (steering) but the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…”
“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…”
“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 serious…”
“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 serious…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 4500. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 13v527000 (steering); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
“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”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA19001 Opened 2019-04-19 · closed 2024-09-19
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.