2012 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 1500 years
- About as many complaints as other years 7th of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 698 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500. That ranks 7th out of 19 RAM 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (175 complaints, 25%), typically at around 75,000 miles. Complaints mention 32 crashes, 10 fires, 27 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 698owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 32complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 175 | 25% | 75,000 | “fuel pump” (15%) | — |
| Engine problems | 163 | 23% | 83,000 | “exhaust manifold” (16%) | $2,950 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 92 | 13% | 80,000 | “fuel pump” (30%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 92 | 13% | 65,500 | “chrysler jeep” (8%) | — |
| Air Bags problems | 80 | 11% | 60,000 | “air bag” (40%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 67 | 10% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 49 | 7% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 47 | 7% | 45,008 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 46 | 7% | 37,750 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 30 | 4% | 100,300 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 | 4% | 32,890 | — | — |
| Structure | 24 | 3% | 75,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 20 | 3% | 50,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 13 | 2% | 77,065 | — | — |
| Wheels | 10 | 1% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 1% | 100,017 | — | — |
| Tires | 6 | 1% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 1% | 72,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 1% | 100 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 0% | 31,036 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 0% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0% | 28,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 0% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 0% | 6,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Risk: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Equipment
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 NHTSA, 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.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 ram 1500 trucks, manufactured from january 5, 2012 through january 6, 2012. The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, âtire selection and rims.â
Risk: If installed, the incorrectly sized spare tire may unexpectedly activate the electronic stability control (esc) system, altering the effectiveness of the esc system, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair vehicles as neccessary free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2012. Owners should contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
**Subject: URGENT VEHICLE SAFETY CONCERN â Steering Failure, Track Bar Bracket/Frame Damage, and Risk to Family Safety â 2012 Ram 2500** To Ram Customer Care and the Vehicle Safety Team, I am requesting immediate attention to a serious safety concern involving my 2012 Ram 2500 4Ã4 with the…
Hello I have a 2012 Dodge ram 1500 and fuel tank bracket holder rusted off there is a recall x75 code that they're now telling me expired 2024, I've had to strap it up with bungee cords, but this is a safety hazard how do I go about getting a Goodwill warranty extension? It's the same issue…
Dodge Ram 1500 2012 model, vehicle randomly turns off without warning while driving. It is as if someone turns off the key no warning lights before , no check engine lights , after is shuts down no codes shown, so far able to coast out of the way and restart vehicle with key fob once in neutral…
While the vehicle was sitting in the driveway not running, the back of the headlight caught on fire. There wasn't any incedents (e.i. any collision, repairs) prior to the indecent. It is available for inspection. No dealership report yet, but have an appointment with local dealership Tuesday to get…
Unknown The engine is bad. Costing me $2500 that I don't have. The lifter needs fixing and probably other things as well. I need help.
Other Dodge RAM 1500 years
← 2011 RAM 1500 · 2014 RAM 1500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 RAM 1500 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 698 | 6 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 689 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 486 | 4 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 670 | 2 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 554 | 5 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 517 | 4 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 792 | 9 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 1,170 | 4 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 1,099 | 5 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 1,171 | 1 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 815 | 3 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 1,112 | 2 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 513 | 2 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 610 | 0 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 520 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 361 | 0 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 298 | 0 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 213 | 0 |
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 175 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 1500 model years, the 2012 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.