The Lemon Index2011 Ram 1500.
The 2011 Ram 1500 is worse than average by owner complaints: 536 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 188, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2009–2018 Ram 1500, 22.7M views. The 2011 is the same truck.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.5M views
RAM Key fob Not Working / Responding **Quick Fix**- 2016 Ram 1500MJ Altairy · 431K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Adjust/Aim Headlights on a 2009–2018 Ram 1500/2500/3500 (DIY)LethalGarage · 484K views · 5 videos - Steering & suspension1.0M views
How to Install a 2012-2014 Ram 1500 4-Inch Suspension Lift KitRough Country · 469K views · 8 videos - Oil changes & service659K views
100k Mile Service Ram 1500 Truck 4th Gen 2008-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 579K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4624K views
How to Replace Front CV Axles 2011-2018 Ram 15001A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 357K views · 5 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers613K views
How to Replace The Lifters and Camshaft on a 2013 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi (Every Step in 30 Minutes!)Jack Fletcher · 613K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors498K views
How to Replace Camshaft Sensor 2011-2018 RAM 1500TRQ · 219K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank415K views
RAM 1500 Gas Tank REMOVAL - DIY - 2009-2018BoostedMotorsports · 361K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ram Truck 1500 4th Generation 2009-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 2.6M views
2010 Ram 1500 250,000 miles - reliability reviewReagan Hughes · 91K views
Top 5 Problems Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 2003-2009 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 71K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,212 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ram 1500 year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 102K miles on the car (745 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 24K–71K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 59K–110K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 15K–103K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 325 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Advanced Field Action Communication ?
- A/C Compressor This applies to 2015 and 2016 UF and PF
- 2014 KL 9-Speed service transaxle with 2015 common hardware This 9-speed transaxle must be…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Left tie rod broke while reversing. New tie rod replaced by dealership. This despite recall previously being performed and original tie rod found to be "within specs."
2011 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10552982
More owner reports
Dodge has a recall on the left front tie rod in this truck. The recall date was 1/6/2014 it is a safety recall and still no parts!!
NHTSA complaint 10608067
Was driving on the interstate and went to get off at the exit. Power steering went out when tapping brakes almost hit the guardrail. Done it to me 3 more times throughout the day.
NHTSA complaint 10561894
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Ram 1500 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 188; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2011 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (59%), transmission & drivetrain (21%) and suspension (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ram 1500 have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Ram 1500 get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,400 and 102,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 745 complaints.
Does the 2011 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Ram 1500 have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works