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2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

472 reports with mileage · 225 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 175 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 163 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports10 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine complaints

163 reports
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99,982 miles · May 17, 2020
Engine

DISCOVER COOLANT SOAKED INTERIOR FLOORBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE. TRUCK BEGAN OVER HEATING WHILE DRIVING SHORT DISTANCE (I.E., 5-10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD) AND UPON ACCELERATION TO HIGHWAY REGULATION SPEEDS. BELIEVED TO BE PROBLEM WITH HEATER CORE IN ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11324889

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Y'ALL MANIFOLDS ARE FAULTY. I JUST REPLACED MY MANIFOLD AND SCREW TWO YEARS AGO AND AGIN THE SAME ISSUE THIS COST 800-900 DOLLARS. THIS IS FAULTY ON MANUFACTURER PART.

NHTSA ODI #11322172

1,000 miles · Apr 1, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

IN THE MORNING WHILE STARTING TRUCK NO PROBLEM, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ON STREET THE TRUCK JUST TURNED OFF. IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS BUT THE FIRST ONE WAS FAR APART THEN THE OTHER 2 IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED A HAD TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED BUT IT FELT …

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IN THE MORNING WHILE STARTING TRUCK NO PROBLEM, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ON STREET THE TRUCK JUST TURNED OFF. IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS BUT THE FIRST ONE WAS FAR APART THEN THE OTHER 2 IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED A HAD TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED BUT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS HARD TO PRESS ON AND I WASN'T GETTING TO THE SPEED (60MPH) SO I JUST TOOK IT SLOWLY TO GAIN SPEED. THAT LASTED ABOUT A WEEK. THE FOLLOWING WEEK AFTER TRYING TO GAIN SPEED AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING REALLY BAD SO I LET GO OF THE GAS PEDAL AND TOOK IT SLOW AGAIN. SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET A BASIC TUNE UP SINCE I HAD JUST GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE HE WOULD JUST DO SPARK PLUGS ON3/5/20 TO SEE IF IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER EXPLAINING TO HIM WHAT IT WAS DOING HE TOLD ME RIGHT AWAY THAT IT'S PROBABLY THE CAMSHAFT AND HYDRAULIC LIFTERS WORN OUT WITH MY TRUCK MILEAGE OF 108,000 IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE BECAUSE I ALWAYS MAKE SURE MY TRUCK IS UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING. BY THIS TIME NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON. SO I DROVE IT ANOTHER WEEK AND HALF WITH THE SAME ISSUES; FINALLY ON 3/16/20 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND I TOOK IT TO GET IT CHECKED AT AUTOZONE AND OREILYS AND BOTH COMPUTER FINDING WERE CODE P0385 WHICH IS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 5 WHICH IS HYDRAULIC LIFTER, CAMSHAFT, AND POSSIBLE IGNITION COIL GONE BAD. I DECIDED TO NOT USE MY TRUCK UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHICH I DID ON 03/24/20. HIS FINDING WERE THE WORN OUT CAMSHAFT AND HYDRAULIC LIFTER ON CYLINDER 5. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND OF COURSE THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT STARTS WITH TRUCKS FROM 2011 AND SOME WITH ONLY OF 58,000 MILES. THIS IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR WHEN YOU EXPECT A TRUCK TO LAST A LONG TIME ESPECIALLY IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #11319944

112,000 miles · Mar 31, 2020
Engine

CAMSHAFT ON HEMI ENGINES ARE DEFECTIVE AND FAIL CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL AND COSTING OWNER $6,000 TO REPAIR. THIS DEFECT IS EFFECTING THOUSANDS OF THESE ENGINES AND DODGE/RAM NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAD MINE REPAIRED FOR $6,000 BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN CT. SINCE HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THIS DEFECT IS RAMPANT ON THESE ENGINES …

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CAMSHAFT ON HEMI ENGINES ARE DEFECTIVE AND FAIL CAUSING ENGINE TO FAIL AND COSTING OWNER $6,000 TO REPAIR. THIS DEFECT IS EFFECTING THOUSANDS OF THESE ENGINES AND DODGE/RAM NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HAD MINE REPAIRED FOR $6,000 BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN CT. SINCE HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THIS DEFECT IS RAMPANT ON THESE ENGINES ON MANY YEARS OF RAM TRUCKS WITH HEMI ENGINE. DODGE MUST OWN UP TO THIS AND THEY MUST BE RECALLED. ONLY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN GET THEM TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS THE ENGINE WHICH IS AT STAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11319885

81,500 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Engine

I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A TICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE SOUND STOPS AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS SLIGHTLY. FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SEAL FOR THE EXHAUST IS NOW COMPROMISED THUS POSSIBLY HAVING AN EXHAUST LEAK. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER OWNERS THE ISSUE RETU…

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I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A TICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE SOUND STOPS AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS SLIGHTLY. FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SEAL FOR THE EXHAUST IS NOW COMPROMISED THUS POSSIBLY HAVING AN EXHAUST LEAK. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER OWNERS THE ISSUE RETURNS EVEN AFTER REPAIRED. FCA ISSUED A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE (TSB 11-002-11).

NHTSA ODI #11317189

80,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11308350

106,000 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER HAD A FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER RANDALL FORD LOCATED AT 5500 ROGERS AVE, FORT SMITH, AR 72903, SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT, LIFTERS, CYLINDER, WATER PUMP CASE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #11302757

96,300 miles · Jan 11, 2020
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT. PLEASE HELP ME TO HAVE CHRYSLER - FIAT HONOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND BUY BACK THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A DEATH TRAP AND A LEMON. *DT TO START, THERE'S A CYLINDER MISFIRE CODE THAT IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE RAM HEMI LINE UP. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS GOOGLE SEARCH AND IT …

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I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT. PLEASE HELP ME TO HAVE CHRYSLER - FIAT HONOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND BUY BACK THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A DEATH TRAP AND A LEMON. *DT TO START, THERE'S A CYLINDER MISFIRE CODE THAT IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE RAM HEMI LINE UP. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS GOOGLE SEARCH AND IT AND YOU COME ACROSS A PLETHORA OF LINKS ADDRESSING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE VEHICLE TO HAVE A PROBLEM BUT WHEN THERE ARE COUNTLESS FORUMS ONLINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER THE PROBLEM IS THE MANUFACTURER. CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE NIGHTMARE HTTPS://WWW.RAMFORUMZ.COM/THREADS/CYLINDER-3-MISFIRE-NIGHTMARE.241581/ THE TRUCK CAN START WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE TRUCK TAKES MULTIPLES CRANK ATTEMPTS IN ORDER TO START HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/RAM/1500/2012/ENGINE/ENGINE_STALLS_SHUTS_DOWN_WHILE_DRIVING.SHTML ENGINE STALLS/SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING 2012 RAM 1500 HTTPS://WWW.CARANDDRIVER.COM/NEWS/A15353911/MORE-THAN-1-MILLION-RAM-PICKUPS-RECALLED-FOR-ACCIDENTAL-AIRBAG-DEPLOYMENT/ ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYED (MY VEHICLE HAS A DEPLOYED AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT) THE TRUCK LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/RAM/1500/2012/ELECTRICAL/LOSS_OF_POWER_WHILE_DRIVING.SHTML PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND SAFETY LAWS. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR ME TO PURCHASE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. UNFORTUNATELY NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND BUY IT IN GOOD FAITH. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP AND GUIDANCE REGARDING THIS MATTER. SHOULD YOU NEED TO CALL ME, MY NUMBER IS [XXX] SINCERELY, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11298618

92,200 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. WHILE TRAVELING ON AN OFF RAMP AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. WHILE TRAVELING ON AN OFF RAMP AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN FROM THE RELAY AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT CALLED ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW TIPM OR RELAY SWITCH WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT CALLED OXMOOR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (4520 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40207, (502) 895-4520) AND WAS GIVEN A COST ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE TIPM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,200.

NHTSA ODI #11290385

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2019
Engine

LIFTER/ TAPPER FAILURE IN CYLINDERS 3 AND 5.

NHTSA ODI #11287578

Official recalls

6

18V160000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Mar 8, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

17V824000 · Equipment

Dec 21, 2017

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

17V821000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Dec 20, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

15V459000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 22, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

13V038000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Feb 6, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 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.

12V192000 · Equipment:other:labels

May 2, 2012

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, “TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.”

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.