What 297 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ram 2500 Regular Cab

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY A LARGE EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A HOLE WAS OBSERVED IN THE FLOOR AREA ALONG WITH FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 WHERE THE POLICE OFFICER WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LITHIA CHRYSLER, 7171 WEST CANEL DR, KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON 99336) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVELINE BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENATIVE TO DO A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THE VIN SEARCH REVEALED ONE RECALL, WHICH WAS NOT IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11065279

THE WIN MODULE MAKES THE CAR SHUT OFF, WITHOUT WARNING TO THE DRIVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES GOING DOE THE FREE WAY AT 81 MPHS. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN THE CITY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IT GOING TO HAPPEN. THE TRUCK LITERALLY SHUTS OFF BECAUSE WHENEVER. IT ALSO HAS ISSUES STARTING BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI 11064151

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON SAYER'S CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE IN IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO 83401 (WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11064173

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE HOOD WAS LIFTED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRES TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS $400. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,200.

NHTSA ODI 11062421

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES WITH CODES P241A AND P2196. I HAVE REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR 3 TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE WRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI 11056284

EXHAUST TICK TICK NOISE. THE MANIFOLD AND THE BOLT HAST RUSTED OUT. I CAN BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11053993

WHEN I STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT/STOP SIGN DIESEL FUMES COME THROUGH THE VENTS AND INTO THE CAB. FUMES ARE VERY STRONG. THIS ALL STARTED THE FIRST YEAR I OWNED THE TRUCK BACK IN 2011 (BOUGHT NEW). ONCE YOU TAKE OFF DOWN THE ROAD WITH WINDOWS OPEN FUMES CLEAR OUT BUT COME BACK WHEN YOU STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11052677

I BECAME AWARE THAT THE TIPM MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. I NOTIFIED DODGE ON THIS PROBLEM AND EVEN REQUESTED ASSISTANCE ON REPAIR. ON 11/03/17, WAS TOLD DODGE DENIED CLAIM. IN MY OPINION THIS MAY BE A SAFETY CONCERN, SINCE THE TIPM MODULE CONTROLS FUEL SYSTEM, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, WIPER OPERATIONS AND A FEW OTHER SYSTEMS. I'VE NOTICED ON THE INTERNET FROM DOSGE FORUMS THAT ALOT OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER OWNERS ALSO HAD ISSUSES WITH THE TIPM MODULE. I WAS QUOTED FOR REPAIRS AROUND $1200.00 .

NHTSA ODI 11043017

DEATH WOBBLE - I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. I DROVE OVER A BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT AND SUDDENLY THE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I COULD NOT STEER. I COULD NOT BRAKE. WE NEARLY COLLIDED WITH A HIGHWAY DIVIDER AND OTHER VEHICLES. I HAD TO COAST DOWN TO 30 MPH OR SO WHEN IT RESOLVED ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11041489

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE CRACKED , 981 HOURS ON THE MOTOR AND 36,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, THE CAB FILLS WITH EXHAUST SMELL, THE BOLTS ARE DEFECTIVE SEE ODI 10937913

NHTSA ODI 10956049

TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. COULDN'T STEER, COULDN'T TURN, COULD BARELY STOP. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROTARY WITH MY 7 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. MOST LIKELY THE TIPM WAS THE CAUSE BECAUSE IT STARTED RIGHT UP AFTERWARDS. NO SIGNS OR WARNINGS OCCURRED BEFORE ISSUE HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10939569

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE VEHICLE HAD FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THIS WOULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE FACT THAT A PLOW WAS PLACED ON THE TRUCK, THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10937913

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POP SOUND FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED LAST YEAR PER THE MANUFACTURER'S (N49) RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,650.

NHTSA ODI 10933831

DIESEL FUMES INVADE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT IS UNDERGOING THE "REGENERATION" PHASE OF ITS EMISSIONS CYCLE. WE ARE LITERALLY CHOKING AND HOLDING OUR BREATH WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. THE FUMES ARE MUCH WORSE IF WE HAVE THE HEATER OR AC WORKING AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE MOVING BUT IT IS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN PARKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10930182

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND BECAME VERY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILIZATION BAR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 10928988

WHILE DRIVING EITHER PULLING OUR 30FT 5TH WHEEL OR WHILE NOT TOWING, HIT ROUGH SPOT IN ROAD TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND IS HARD TO CONTROL EVEN BRAKING! HAS BEEN SERVICED IN MAY 2016 AND CHANGED TORQUESTIONS BAR. SAME SCENARIO HAS CONTINUED FOR 3 MONTHS ONLY MORE OFTEN. SUPPOSEDLY WAS FIXED BEFORE 2 1/2 MONTHS TRIP TO AK, BC & YT. BACK AGAIN FOR SAME SCENARIO AS IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN! TRUCK IS ALWAYS IN MOTION AND BETWEEN 45 & 65MPH WHEN THIS OCCURS BOTH COUNTRY ROADS AND FREEWAY/HIGHWAY! THIS IS A SERIOUS UNCONTROLLABLE SCENARIO THAT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT FOR DRIVER AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. EUGENE, OR

NHTSA ODI 10904661

I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A "NO START". PROBLEM DID CONTINUE WITH THE DEALER A FEW TIMES WITH NO CODES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRUCK WOULD START AND THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. DEALERSHIP CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE, THAT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED WITH THE SOME MODULE IN THE TRUCK. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD TI PAY FOR THIS UPDATED, IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A FACTORY ISSUSE. WHICH IN MY OPINION THAT THE DODGE CORP. SHOULD HAVE COVERED THIS EXPENSE. I SEEN ON THE INTERNET WITH OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10903348

UPON ACTIVATING THE HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHTS, ENGINE WILL BEGIN MISSING AND EVENTUALLY STALL. HEADLIGHTS WILL BLINK OFF AND ON. ALL DASH LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WILL ALSO FLUCTUATE POWER (RADIO, WIPERS, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARDS, FRONT PARKING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS). ALL GAUGES ON THE DASH WILL GO DEAD. WHILE DRIVING ON 7/22/2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15 PM THE HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BEGAN TO TURN OFF, AND THEN BACK ON. THE ENGINE STALLED AT APPROX 65 MPH LEAVING NO POWER STEERING. TRUCK WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED ONCE IT WAS BROUGHT TO REST ON THE SHOULDER. HIGH BEAMS COULD NOT BE USED OR THE PROBLEM WOULD REPEAT. MAKE: RAM (DODGE) MODEL: 2500 YEAR: 2011 ENGINE/POWERTRAIN: 6.7L CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL W/ 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC.

NHTSA ODI 10888209

TRUCK WOULD NOT START DUE TO FAULTY TIMP MODULE. LUCKILY IT WAS PARKED AT HOME, BUT NEEDED TOWED.

NHTSA ODI 10884746

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE WOBBLE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT TIE RODS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN OVER 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO WOBBLE IN THE FRONT, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE EACH TIME AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION TO THE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10872998

WHILE MAKING A TURN AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSING VEHICLE TO CROSS CENTER LINE OF ROADWAY AND DRIVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. BRAKE PEDAL ALSO EXTREMELY HARD TO PRESS (POSSIBLY LOSS OF POWER BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME). STEERING RETURNING TO NORMAL SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY, WITH SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY BETWEEN OCCURRENCES OF THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10872527

DEATH WOBBLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 2 RECALLS FOR TIE RODS HAVE BEEN PEFORMED. THIS PROBLEM IS CONTINUING, MOST RECENTLY ON 4/24/2016.

NHTSA ODI 10861403

DEAR SIR OR MA'AM, I AM WRITING YOU TO REPORT A SEVERE PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED TO ME ON 3/5/16, AND AGAIN ON 4/9/16. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON BOTH OCCASIONS ON WASHINGTON STATE HIGHWAYS. THE FRONT END OF MY 2011 RAM 2500 PICK UP BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT WAS SO INTENSE THAT I WAS AFRAID THAT I MIGHT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED. AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE, AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. MY WIFE BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO A REPAIR SHOP ON 3/7/16 TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES OR SUSPENSION. THE SHOP SAID THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH I DISCOVERED A NUMBER OF PEOPLE DESCRIBING THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED. THEY REFERRED TO IT AS THE 'DODGE DEATH WOBBLE' MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY THE STEERING DESIGN ('Y' TYPE VS. 'T' TYPE?) I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM AND ULTIMATELY MANDATE THAT FCA US LLC (DODGE) ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS DESIGN FLAW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE HQ AND I HAVE ATTACHED THEIR RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI 10860445

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME VERY UNSTABLE. AFTER REDUCING THE SPEED TO 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 10853789

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TRUCK BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND CANNOT BE PROPERLY CONTROLLED. DRIVER MUST IMMEDIATELY REDUCE SPEED OR STOP IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS ESPECIALLY IF HITTING ANY KIND OF BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IF IT IS NEGLIGIBLE. IT IS ENOUGH TO LOSE STABILITY. THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, IT PLACES ALL OCCUPANTS IN DANGER AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE PROPERLY STEERED AND MUST BE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED OR STOPPED, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD TO EVERYONE. THROUGH RESEARCH, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS COLLOQUIALLY KNOWN AS THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE," AND WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE AND WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO US. WE HAVE SINCE ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE VIOLENT SHAKING AS WELL AS ANY REMEDY FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAVE ALSO LEARNED THERE IS A PENDING CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT THAT MAY CAUSE THE MANUFACTURER TO HESITATE TO ADMIT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE "REPLACEMENT" PARTS UNDER THE PRIOR RECALL. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT (AND THEREFORE NO POLICE REPORTS, ETC.), THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS WHEN WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO USE THE TRUCK. WE CHOOSE TO TAKE OTHER TRANSPORTATION WHENEVER WE CAN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIVES. WE PLAN TO TAKE VIDEO IF WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AGAIN, OR ASK OUR DEALER TO DRIVE IT AND CONFIRM THE DEFECT. THIS BEGAN APPROXIMATELY IN AUGUST, BUT MAY HAVE BEEN BEFORE (I AM FILING COMPLAINT FOR MY HUSBAND) AND TRUCK HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT, BUT I DO NOT HAVE EXACT MILEAGE WITH ME AT WORK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10852282