Is the 2011 Ram 1500 a bad year?
689 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 176, 2.4× a quiet 1500 year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2011 Ram 1500 were filed between 17k and 94k miles. You're at 45,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 45,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 176 (26%) | 17k–94k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 214 (31%) | 63k–110k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 155 (22%) | 66k–134k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 142 (21%) | 73k–119k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 45 (7%) | 33k–103k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 40 (6%) | 7k–80k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lighting | 29 (4%) | 40k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 26 (4%) | 25k–70k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 23 (3%) | 18k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 19 (3%) | 15k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 13 (2%) | 38k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 10 (1%) | 23k–78k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (1%) | 14k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 12 (2%) | 52k–99k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 45,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 689 complaints: 28 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 25 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The truck burns through oil at a high rate and after it does their is no low oil light being turned on by the truck.
I received a safety recall (N08/NHTSA 13V-038 rear axle pinion nut) I received this notice months ago. I have contracted the manufacturer multiple times.
I have a loud whining an now is a loud growling in differential or rear wheel bearings at all speeds. I saw on the internet where this is a common problem with 2009 thru 2012 Dodge Ram trucks 1500 series.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 45,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Ram 1500: 4
Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground. If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. 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.
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange. If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Some vehicles may have experience a noise (Growl, grind) coming from the rear axle bearing which could eventually seize. A failure of the bearing could cause the vehicle to stall increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 193
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving…
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) Engineering is seeking information regarding OFA leaks
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Electrical overstress
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Neighbouring years
2010 1500: 488 complaints, consider selling · 2012 1500: 698 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2011 Ram 1500 a bad year?
689 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 176, 2.4× a quiet 1500 year. At 45,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2011 Ram 1500 were filed between 17k and 94k miles. You're at 45,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (176), electrical system (214), engine (155), fuel system (142), steering (45). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 17k–94k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ram 1500 have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-160), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 13V-038), Suspension (NHTSA 10V-656). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.