Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 297 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Ram 2500, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 166 | 56% |
| Steering | 26 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 4% |
| Engine | 11 | 4% |
| Power train | 7 | 2% |
| Suspension | 7 | 2% |
| Engine | 7 | 2% |
| Steering | 4 | 1% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Approximatly 6 years ago My TIPM failed on my 2011 dodge ram 2500. It was not under warrenty so I replaced it myself not knowing this was an ongoing problem with dodge products. My TIPM is again failing. What can be done
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The steering became uncontrollable and wobbled so violently I could not keep my hands on the wheel. It will be open for inspection at any time. The safety of all other road users and pedestrians were put in grave d
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Yesterday, 3/22/2024, I was driving northbound on I-15, fat left lane, approx. 80 mph/posted highway speed. Suddenly lost steering control on my 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins diesel truck. Front end/tires began vibrating,
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Some electrical components became inoperative in the quick minute. Fuel pump was running continuedly till the battery was drained. Mechanic, I had used before told me that the TIPM Module was defective and needed replace
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Driving on the highway doing about 100km per hour and the truck shut off. No noise or anything it just died, no steering etc. luckily I was able to slow down and safely get to the side of the road. Put in park and it s
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY, NORMAL DAY, AND I NOTICE A SUDDEN VIBRATION STARTED TO FEEL WORST AND WORST, SO I GOT OUT OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICE ONE OF THE TIRES DEFORMED ON THE CONTACT PART OF THE T
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, HIGHWAY, AND OFF ROAD; ON BOTH A ROUGH PAVED ROADS AND WHILE RUNNING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER (ENGINE AND ALL POWERED ACCESSORIES)
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 Ram 2500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: 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
Fix: 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 Chry
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall rem
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4,
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF C
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.
Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 nece
| Reliability | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 49 | below average |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 81 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 297 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 166 of them (56%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.