What 688 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab

The contact's son owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding and rubbing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake service. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired, the independent mechanic confirmed the abnormal grinding and rubbing sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V656000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer had not confirmed the failure but had agreed to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11694936

Rear axle spindle started to grind then locked up and ripped assembly housing apart. Recall on certain trucks of same year same model

NHTSA ODI 11565266

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel bearing was defective. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511163

Yesterday, the Front Right Wheel completely separated from the axel while driving 25 mph. The truck veered sharply to the right, crashing into the driver's side of a fortunately unoccupied parked car, and continued to the right into the curb. I was not seriously injured, though my neck was strained. The tire and rim were destroyed, and it appears that the metal attachment from the wheel to the car was completely sheared through. There was also extensive Front End damage. Had I made it another mile to the parkway, this would have been a fatal injury to me, as well as other drivers. The truck was just inspected 2 days prior to this occurrence by a Certified Dodge Ram Dealer (NY Facility #[XXX]) with a clean health record. It is currently at the North Star Auto Body (516-781-2200) awaiting inspection by the Allstate Insurance adjuster (Claim # [XXX]). A police report was also filed. (Case #[XXX]) There was no warning to this catastrophic event. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11482068

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND MADE A LOUD GROWLING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRAME AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V656000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11277995

FRONT IN BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING AND AXEL SNAPPED. AS A RESULT MY FRONT IN OF THE CAR HIT THE GROUND CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. I CRASHED INTO A WALL DOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALMOST LOST MY LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11176134

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN...*BF CONSUMER STATED NOISE IS COMING FROM THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR AXLE.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11164459

WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS OF 70+ ON THE INTERSTATE, VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY FOR PERIODS OF TIME THEN RETURNS BACK TO NORMAL, HAD TIRES BALANCED AND THE ISSUE CONTINUES

NHTSA ODI 11164430

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V656000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONLY NHTSA COULD ADD VINS TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11098734

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING I NEEDED MY AIRBAG REPLACED BUT AFTER NOTIFYING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR SOME TIME DESPITE ALSO BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC YEAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THERE IS A CONSTANT BATTLE WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVE UPPER AND LOWER MOUNT BARS BUT THE RUBBER GIVES AWAY IN THE PART WHICH CAUSES A SWAY THAT MAKES YOU LOOSE CONTROL TRAVELING OVER 50MPH WITHOUT TOWING A LOAD. I HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO NOT USING THIS VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. ALSO TO DATE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVEN A FULL OVERHALL AS OF LAST YEAR. AT THE TIME THERE WERE 120,000 MILES ON THE POWER TRAIN

NHTSA ODI 11066179

VEHICLE IS VERY LOSE FEELS LIKE IT WOULD VERY EASILY SWAY OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE MANUFACTURED DATE FOR RECALLS OF STEERING COLUMN AND REAR AXLE ISSUES BUT ACCORDING TO MY DEALER AND CHRYSLER'S WEBSITE MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. FORGIVE ME IF I DON'T TRUST THEM. HOW DO I GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY SUSPENSION AND THERE ARE MANY MORE POSTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI 10937341

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A GRUELING AND HUMMING NOISE WAS PRESENT FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 10915751

TL* THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD A FAULTY LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF UPDATED 06/18/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10875582

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED INTERMITTENTLY FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75.

NHTSA ODI 10854704

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V656000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,400.

NHTSA ODI 10823674

RAM BUYBACK CASE HANDED DOWN IN JULY OF 2015. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED IN THIS BUYBACK PROGRAM. FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, AND REAR AXLE ARE AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI 10820769

MY TRUCK HAD 34,754 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD BOTH OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WELL AS THE LEFT STRUT. I FIND THESE PARTS FAILING THIS EARLY TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. CHRYSLER/RAM REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFICIAL WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER. I REQUESTED A REVIEW AS I FEEL MY TRUCK WAS BUILD WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS. AS CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 10817220

VEHICLE IS VERY LOSE FEELS LIKE IT WOULD VERY EASILY SWAY OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE MANUFACTURED DATE FOR RECALLS OF STEERING COLUMN AND REAR AXLE ISSUES BUT ACCORDING TO MY DEALER AND CHRYSLER'S WEBSITE MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. FORGIVE ME IF I DON'T TRUST THEM. HOW DO I GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY SUSPENSION AND THERE ARE MANY MORE POSTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI 10747723

WHEN DRIVING OVER 60, THE ENTIRE TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHAKES/WOBBLES/VIBRATES. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME GOING OVER 60, AND IS NOT CAUSED BY HITTING A BUMP OR SLOPE IN THE ROAD. BEEN TO CHRYSLER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CANNOT FIND A ROOT CAUSE. REPLACED ALL TIRES, ALIGNED, NEW U-JOINTS, NEW ROTORS, STILL IS NOT RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 10746112

SAFETY RECALL N08 / NHTSA 13V-038 REAR AXLE PINION NUT I HAD MY VEHICLE CALLED IN FOR A RECALL AFTER PURCHASE AT THE END OF 2013. EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD SHAKY AND JERKY STEERING AT TIMES ESPECIALLY AT A HIGHWAY RATE OF SPEED (55-70 MPH). I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO FINANCES AND MY WARRANTY IS NO LONER VALID. AFTER READING THE RECALL DETAILS NOW I AM ASSUMING THIS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE. AFTER READING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO LONER ALLOW MY 1 YEAR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10746268

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10745877

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING A FAILURE WITH THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND THE TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR A NEWLY DESIGNED PART TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. MA 10/6 UPDATED 12/13/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10744614

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE FOR THE FRONT END. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT EITHER 35, 45, 55, 65 OR 75 IT WOBBLES, VIBRATES SOMETHING FIERCE AND THEN IT SEEMS YOU REACH A CERTAIN DISTANCE AT THAT SPEED OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND BAM IT FINE FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN. AND IT WILL GET TO THE POINT THAT YOU SMELL AXLE GEAR OIL. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS CHANGED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IF IT WERE TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE BRING IT BACK MADE THE SAME WOBBLE NOISE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER PLACE THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING (SAME ONE) AND THE WHOLE FRONT AXLE AND SAID IT WAS FIXED, I TOOK IT HOME AND LOW AND BEHOLD SAME PROBLEM. NO I AM TRYING TO HAVE THE LAST PLACE FIX WHAT HE DIDN'T FIX AND I AM CATCHING A NIGHTMARE TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THAT GUY BECAUSE EVERYTIME HE SAYS SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO BRING THE VEHICLE BY NO ONE IS THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10694990

OPERATING NORMALLY, A GRINDING NOISE BEGAN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARING FAILURE, LIKELY DUE TO THE PREVIOUS RECALL #NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V656000 WHICH WAS DONE IMMEDIATELY AFTER NOTIFICATION. SIGNIFICANT COSTS WERE INCURRED TO REPAIR THE DIFFERENTIAL, AXLE AND BEARINGS. NO HEAVY PAYLOADS OR TOWING WAS DONE. MAINTENANCE IS ALWAYS DONE ON TIME AND RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. ITS SEEMS INCONCEIVABLE THAT SUCH A NEW TRUCK COULD HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10649763

I HAVE NOTICED SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THAT THE REAR AXLE TRACTION CONTROL SEEMS TO CONSTANTLY SLIP WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY SPEED, I FIRST THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE, BUT IT IS ALWAYS ENGAGING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOUR DOING. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF SURFACE YOUR DRIVING ON. I'VE TRIED IT IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND THE TRUCK SEEMS TO BE OK, I DON;T THINK THE ANTI SLIP AXLE IS WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10535483