This page covers 3 recalls and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2011 Ram 1500.
The 2011 Ram 1500 received an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, the truck earned 2 stars. Side crash protection was rated 3 stars, while rollover resistance also received 3 stars. The side pole crash test resulted in 1 star. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a vehicle redesign occurs, so this rating covers the 2011 model year shown.
2/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2011 RAM 1500 has 3 recalls, the most serious being two drivetrain concerns: an underfilled rear axle that can cause the bearing to seize, and a column shifter that allows the transmission to be moved without the brake pressed or a key in the ignition.
On the axle issue, insufficient lubricant in the rear differential can cause a grinding or growling noise from the rear axle bearing, and if ignored, the bearing can lock up while driving and lead to a loss of control. The column shifter defect applies to vehicles equipped with a column-mounted gear selector: the transmission can be shifted out of park without the brake pedal depressed or even without a key present, which raises the risk of the truck rolling away unexpectedly. The third recall is a labeling issue: the certification label and the supplemental tire pressure label on some trucks may carry incorrect information, including misstated front and rear axle weight capacities and a rear seating capacity listed as zero instead of three.
At a glance
What can fail
Holding the brake pedal down for extended periods while parked may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock pin to stick open, allowing the transmission to shift out of Park without pressing the brake or turning on the ignition.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software, inspect the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock, and replace it if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle may not retain enough lubricating oil, causing the rear axle bearing to produce noise and potentially seize, which could lead to a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a flow restrictor on the rear axle pinion bearing and replace the axle cover with a revised design to maintain proper oil levels.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certification and tire pressure labels have incorrect information: axle weight capacities are misstated, and the rear seating capacity is labeled as zero instead of three. This could cause improper vehicle loading and increase crash risk.
What the fix does
Replacement labels will be provided. You can install them yourself or have a dealer install them.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
