The 2011 Dodge Ram 5500 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,909,161 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 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
1crashes2injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1fires
ENGINE
4
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
1
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN
1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints34
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The metal stem that is connected to the plastic housing acts as a guide for the springing action of the sender. As the fuel pump heated up, indicated by the black area on the fuel sender, it heated the metal tube and burned a hole through the tank. This caused a leak in the fuel tank and a spill…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 5500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v821000 (power train) months ago. The manufacturer had not supplied the part to the dealer. The dealer (jeff wyler eastgate auto mall, [REDACTED]) was called and could not determine when the parts…”
“Diesel exhaust fluid (def) system failure. Engine light came on with warning to have serviced or vehicle would not start after xx miles. Was def system, pipe, injector, and sensors.”
“-control modules require updates (ecm and tcm) which you have to pay $120.00 for the updates. It may cause drivability issues. -intake tube clamps need replacing which you can't buy the clamp you have to purchase the intake hose for $379.92.”
“-control modules require updates (ecm and tcm) which you have to pay $120.00 for the updates. It may cause drivability issues. -intake tube clamps need replacing which you can't buy the clamp you have to purchase the intake hose for $379.92.”
“While driving, at random, a warning will display stating the following: "service def system. Engine will not start at 200 miles. See dealer" this has happened 10 or more times since we purchased the truck. We have the same problem with another 2011 dodge ram 5500 which we purchased with this one.…”
“While driving, at random, a warning will display stating the following: "service def system. Engine will not start at 200 miles. See dealer" this has happened 10 or more times since we purchased the truck. We have the same problem with another 2011 dodge ram 5500 which we purchased with this one.…”
“This vehicle is on the buy back program. Chryslers 3rd party took several months to file the paperwork with a preliminary offer of 35 thousand dollars on the buy back. At the time they guaranteed that price and that it could not be lowered. Now they are coming back and offering 24k for the same…”
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 5500 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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