The lifters are knocking and there's a tick in the engine. I've done some research and there's a whole forum regarding complaints for the Hemi's 5.7L engines in this specific year of my vehicle and other FCA vehicles, stating the notorious "Hemi tick" and the lifters going bad. Yes my vehicle is available for inspection because I can't afford the amount shops are trying to charge. If multiple vehicle's, made by FCA with the Hemi engine for models 2011, are having the same issue I would think it had to do with a manufacturing defect. The vehicle has caused a major vibration and jerking when I try to drive which could in turn cause me to wreck! My vehicle has been inspected at a shop. My check engine light is on and came on after hearing the tick in the engine for awhile previous to the light coming on. The lifters knocking started about a month ago.
2011 Dodge RAM 1500: jerking or lurching
6 of the 689 complaints about the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 109,000
- recalls
- 2
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
The electrical wiring has shorted out the headlights on the driver side and melts all wiring in the area. This is a huge issue with ram in the 2011 years. The other issue is the transmissions start shifting super hard into gear and jerks the whole truck really bad.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle windows failed to stay up and all the doors failed to remain locked, which drained the battery. Also, when the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, it failed to start and the check engine warning indicator remained illuminated. In addition, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle would lurch forward. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. Once restarted, the vehicle was able to drive normally. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Fuel pump relay failure. For a while truck would just lose power and jerk at high speed. Once it died completely while driving at a moderate speed. Eventually it just wouldn't start at all. Purchased the external relay kit and it fixed the problem. Since this is a widely known problem with this particular tipm in many different vehicles, I'm annoyed that this wasn't part of a recall. Especially considering the danger of a vehicle turning off in the middle of operation.
Safety recall n08 / the federal safety agency 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.
While driving down the highway pulling our gooseneck trailer I hit a bump on the highway. Once I hit the bump the truck began to shake uncontrollably and the steering wheel was ripped from my hands. I could not hold on to the steering wheel. Depressing the brake pedal only made the truck jerk to one side very quickly. All I could do was down shift the transmission and use the trailer brakes lightly to slow down. I had no steering control at all. While slowing down I ran 3 cars off the road on to the shoulder due to not being able to steer the truck at all. I could have easily killed myself and anyone else on the highway at that time. The truck is currently at stanley-lynd autoplex in cameron texas undergoing "repairs". The service manager, mechanic and the dealership owner all stated and agreed that there is no known cause and no known repair to keep this from happening again. This is a very serious life and safety hazard. The truck continued to do this "death wobble" as it was named at the dealership at anytime the truck encountered a bump, expansion joint or un even pavement.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Plate
- Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles
- Gear motor
- Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- Transmission ? With Torque Converter
- Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 17V821000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Recall number 13V038000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500?
6 of 689 owner complaints about the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 (1%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500?
There are 2 recalls and 20 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Dodge RAM 1500
Fuel pump 129Stalling 81Won't start 66Check engine light 47Loss of power 34Misfire 30Engine failure 27Headlights 26Battery drain 15Ball joint 11Fire or smoke 10Won't shift 10Brake failure 9Grinding brakes 9Knocking 9Key fob 9Power steering loss 8Wipers 8Adaptive cruise 7Sudden acceleration 7Tire blowout 7No deployment 6Door locks 6Steering lock-up 6
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Dodge RAM 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history