2011 Ram 2500 Transmission Problems
10 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Transmission Recalls (1)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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. 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. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
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 Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Owner Complaints (10)
Your transfer case (the component that distributes power to your wheels) unexpectedly failed and caught fire while you were driving. This is a critical safety hazard that requires immediate inspection and replacement of the transfer case assembly.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your engine has a warped cylinder head and/or a blown head gasket, which can cause coolant and oil to leak, overheating, and loss of engine power. You may notice white smoke from the exhaust, rough idling, or a milky appearance in your oil. Fixing this requires removing the cylinder head, inspecting for warping, replacing the head gasket, and reassembling the engine.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your truck unexpectedly shut off and restarted by itself while driving at 65 mph, which is a serious safety concern. On separate occasions when parked, you couldn't shift out of Park until you turned the engine off and back on. The problem happened at least twice but was never diagnosed or repaired.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
SEVERAL MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF CAUSING EXHAUST TO LEAK EARLY. POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DEPENDING ON HOW BAD THE LEAK IS, NOT TO MENTION THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. VERY KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE BUT FCA WILL ONLY ADDRESS IF THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD. VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES.
NHTSA RECALL 17V-821 THIS VEHICLE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE WITH CLEAN HISTORY/CARFAX REPORT. RECALL NOT COMPLETED. DEALER: AUTONATION DODGE RAM ARAPAHOE 10743 EAST ARAPAHOE RD., ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112 866 331-0726
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED AND IT BEGAN TO IDLE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE OVER ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TRAVELING 70MPH LOST RPM AND ACCELERATION; THEN TRUCK BECAME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. 3 YR OLD DAUGHTER SAID TRUCK SMELLED FUNNY. EXITED FREEWAY ABOUT A MILE TO MAYBE 2 MILES AFTER INCIDENT; MADE A U-TURN TO DODGE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 2MILES AWAY. BURNING SMELL COMING UNDER THE TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AND THE BEARINGS HAD MELTED, AND THERE WAS FLUID IN IT. THE TRUCK DID NOT HAVE 4,000 MILES ON IT YET 2011 DODGE 2500 HEAVY DUTY DIESEL. *TR