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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

Power Train complaints

92 reports
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37,500 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Power TrainService BrakesCrash

VEHICLE WARRANTY FROM DODGE NOT HONORED DUE TO COMING FROM CANADA . YET AS I HAVE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A RAM TRUCK FROM ROY ROBINSON CHEVROLET IN MARYSVILLE WA TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASED VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE WAS PRESSED UNLESS PUMPED DODGE WOULD NOT COVER WARRENTY ON VEHICLE AND ROY ROBINSON PAID TO REPAIR MASTER…

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VEHICLE WARRANTY FROM DODGE NOT HONORED DUE TO COMING FROM CANADA . YET AS I HAVE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A RAM TRUCK FROM ROY ROBINSON CHEVROLET IN MARYSVILLE WA TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASED VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE WAS PRESSED UNLESS PUMPED DODGE WOULD NOT COVER WARRENTY ON VEHICLE AND ROY ROBINSON PAID TO REPAIR MASTER CYLINDER. ITS BEEN 1 MOTH AND HALF AND FROM TIME TO TIME I STILL GET THE SENSATION OF NOT STOPPING UNLESS I PUMP BRAKE . NOW MASTER TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WONT GET OUT OF 5 THE GEAR . SO FOR A UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT NOW HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF BRAKES AND BEING 37500 MILES A NEWER VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO BE SOLD AT NEW VEHICLE PRICE. AND STILL DODGE CANNOT TELL ME WHY AFTER GOING THRU CUSTOMS AND DOT AND EPA . WHY THE WARRANTY CANT BE CONTINUED. IM SCARRED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK THAT IM PAYING FOR WHEN IT IS UNSAFE WHAT ELSE WILL GO WRONG AND WHY ARE THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES ALLOWED IN USA.

NHTSA ODI #10795178

18,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Power TrainSteeringWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEELS VIBRATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE SYMPTOM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEELS VIBRATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE SYMPTOMS WERE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10763966

5,000 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE RAM1500 WAS BEING STARTED AND PUT IN REVERSE THEN DRIVE AND IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. STARTED GETTING WORSE AND FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD NOTICE THE NOISE WHEN LEAVING THEIR HOMES. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO (JUNE 2015) WE TOOK IT IN TO DODGE AND THEY HEARD THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAD CONTACTED THE ENGINEERS AND JUST KEEP AN EYE …

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THE RAM1500 WAS BEING STARTED AND PUT IN REVERSE THEN DRIVE AND IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. STARTED GETTING WORSE AND FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD NOTICE THE NOISE WHEN LEAVING THEIR HOMES. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO (JUNE 2015) WE TOOK IT IN TO DODGE AND THEY HEARD THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAD CONTACTED THE ENGINEERS AND JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT. NO FIXING OF ANY KIND. NOW EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, AS IT SHIFTS GEARS IT CLONKS INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS SHIFT PROPERLY. IT STAYS IN A GEAR LONGER THAN IT SHOULD. YOU CAN HEAR THE GEARS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING. THE BRAKES ON THE TRUCK DONT SEEM TO STOP FAST ENOUGH. TAKING TRUCK IN FOR THAT NEXT WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #10763168

29,303 miles · Sep 6, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND THEN THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD PULL INTO A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME. I TURNED THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURNOVER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT AND THEN TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING. HE COULD NOT DIAG…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND THEN THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD PULL INTO A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME. I TURNED THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURNOVER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT AND THEN TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING. HE COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THAT'S WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT TOOK THEM 2-3 DAYS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHAT THEY FOUND WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS HOW THEY STATED IT ON THE INVOICE: 29303 NO START P0688 ASD CIRCUIT FAULT, FOUND FUSE M19 BLOWN- REPLACED AND ATTEMPTED TO START- FUSE BLEW AGAIN. TRACED ASD CIRCUIT. FOUND IGNITION COIL #5 MELTED. TESTED FURTHER, FOUND #5 SPARK PLUGS FOULED AND CIRCUIT K16 SHORTED TO GROUND. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION INSUFFICIENT IONIZATION FAULT SET DIA AS A PCM WITH INTERNAL DRIVER FAULT CAUSED BY SHORT, REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED PCM. THIS OF COURSE HAPPENED 5 DAYS AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, GRANTED I DID NOT EVEN HAVE 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10761837

68,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LOOSE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10761695

64,000 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Power Train

DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD BOLTS. CAUSING FUMES TO GET INSIDE CAB OF TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10732840

29,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Power TrainSteeringWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS WORN PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BE WORN. IN ADDITION, THREE SECURITY LOCKS AND THE STUDS AND BOLTS FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE SUSPENSION ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WAS UNSTABLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS WORN PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BE WORN. IN ADDITION, THREE SECURITY LOCKS AND THE STUDS AND BOLTS FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE SUSPENSION ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WAS UNSTABLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE LOCKING IN THE REAR, WHICH INDICATED A DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE BECAUSE THE BOLTS ALSO FRACTURED IN THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERS AND WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE HOW THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN), 12V474000 (POWER TRAIN), 13V528000 (STEERING), 11V350000 (STE/ERING) AND 10E040000 (WHEELS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 11/12/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10724024

4,600 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Power TrainCrashInjury

I HAD PUT MY 2012 RAM 1500 INTO PARK AND WALKED UP THE SIDEWALK, HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT AND IT WAS MOVING AND I RAN TO GET INTO IT TRYING TO STOP IT FROM HITTING OR CRASHING INTO SOMETHING. I DIDN'T GET TO IT IN TIME AND I GOT PINNED BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND THE HOUSE CAUSING ME TO BREAK MY TAILBONE AND PELVIS IN TWO PLACES. THE V…

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I HAD PUT MY 2012 RAM 1500 INTO PARK AND WALKED UP THE SIDEWALK, HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT AND IT WAS MOVING AND I RAN TO GET INTO IT TRYING TO STOP IT FROM HITTING OR CRASHING INTO SOMETHING. I DIDN'T GET TO IT IN TIME AND I GOT PINNED BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND THE HOUSE CAUSING ME TO BREAK MY TAILBONE AND PELVIS IN TWO PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND HAD SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THIS IS LIKE THE 4TH ONE HE HAS FIXED DO TO IT POPPING OUT OF GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701371

68,000 miles · Feb 18, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY DURING THE FAILURE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY DURING THE FAILURE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF GEAR WHEN SLIGHTLY TOUCHED WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10683982

81,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Power Train

WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK TRAVELING DOWNTOWN IN A BUSY AND TRAFFICKY BUSINESS DISTRICT IN WHICH ACCELERATION IS VITAL, UPON ATTEMPTING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AT GENERAL TRAFFIC SPEED THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND I NEARLY GET RAMMED FROM BEHIND. FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME NOTICED IT IN TIME & THOUGH MY VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLETEL…

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WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK TRAVELING DOWNTOWN IN A BUSY AND TRAFFICKY BUSINESS DISTRICT IN WHICH ACCELERATION IS VITAL, UPON ATTEMPTING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AT GENERAL TRAFFIC SPEED THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND I NEARLY GET RAMMED FROM BEHIND. FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME NOTICED IT IN TIME & THOUGH MY VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP, IT STALLED ENOUGH TO HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAD NOTICED THE STALLING BEFORE, BUT NOT SO SIGNIFICANT. I HAVE TALKED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT MY DEALERSHIP & THEY HAVE SCHEDULED ME IN FOR A SERVICE VISIT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. HAVING MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE, I'M APT TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING IS GOING AWRY IN THE POWER TRAIN. I JUST ACQUIRED THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS LESS THAN 82000 MILES. HOPEFULLY MY DEALERSHIP WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUE ACCORDINGLY & FAIRLY, GUESS I'LL KNOW SOON ENOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682872

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.