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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

697 reports
31,000 miles · Sep 3, 2016
Engine

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT BROKEN CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS. VERIFIED BY DEALER AFTER DOING A FULL INSPECTION AFTER ANOTHER RECALL ITEM WAS FIXED. DEALER SAID THAT IT IS COMMON FOR THE 5.7 HEMI. POSSIBLE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING DRIVER CAB. THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEMI TICK, HAVE BEEN HEARING TICK FOR ABOUT 1,000 MILES, CURRENT MILES IS …

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EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT BROKEN CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS. VERIFIED BY DEALER AFTER DOING A FULL INSPECTION AFTER ANOTHER RECALL ITEM WAS FIXED. DEALER SAID THAT IT IS COMMON FOR THE 5.7 HEMI. POSSIBLE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING DRIVER CAB. THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEMI TICK, HAVE BEEN HEARING TICK FOR ABOUT 1,000 MILES, CURRENT MILES IS 32,004. CAN HEAR EXHAUST LEAK CONSISTENTLY

NHTSA ODI #10903470

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Engine

STALLED WHILE DRIVING. ONGOING PROBLEMS. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. DENIED IN RECALL YET EXTREMELY UNSAFE. FAULTY TIPM.

NHTSA ODI #10898134

32,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

TRUCK RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH COME ON, ONCE YOU GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD YOU TURN TRUCK OFF AND RESTART IT MAY RUN FINE FOR DAYS OR A HALF MILE. THIS CAN HAPPEN GOING 65MPH DOWN THE TURNPIKE OR STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 28K AND THIS ISSUE STARTED AROUND 32K. …

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TRUCK RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH COME ON, ONCE YOU GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD YOU TURN TRUCK OFF AND RESTART IT MAY RUN FINE FOR DAYS OR A HALF MILE. THIS CAN HAPPEN GOING 65MPH DOWN THE TURNPIKE OR STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 28K AND THIS ISSUE STARTED AROUND 32K. HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM". MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE HER AND MY SON NEARLY GOT KILLED WHEN IT SHUT OFF GOING THRU AN INTERSECTION. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS ON MANY FORUMS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. YOU IN FACT HAD DONE A RECALL CAMPAIGN # PE05027 BACK IN 05. THERE ARE OTHER MODELS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE LOOSING THEIR LIFE FOR THIS TO GET CORRECTED. MAKE A PAYMENT OF 400.00 DOLLARS A MONTH FOR A TRUCK THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10894112

78,000 miles · Jul 31, 2016
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WILL UNEXPECTEDLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND WAS OK FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IF HOOD IS SLAMMED, LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOT A CONNECTION/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED O…

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HEADLIGHTS WILL UNEXPECTEDLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND WAS OK FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BUT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IF HOOD IS SLAMMED, LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOT A CONNECTION/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ALREADY.

NHTSA ODI #10891882

28,500 miles · Jun 29, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW DETACHES FROM WINDOW CLIPS WHEN 30 DEGREES OR COOLER. HAVE HAD CLIPS AND REGULATOR REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE PROBLEM TO CORRECT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT HAS SNOWED OR RAINED, IT'S THE TEMPERATURE THAT EFFECTS IT. TRUCK HAS BEEN WARMED UP AND DRIVEN BEFORE ATTE…

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DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW DETACHES FROM WINDOW CLIPS WHEN 30 DEGREES OR COOLER. HAVE HAD CLIPS AND REGULATOR REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE PROBLEM TO CORRECT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT HAS SNOWED OR RAINED, IT'S THE TEMPERATURE THAT EFFECTS IT. TRUCK HAS BEEN WARMED UP AND DRIVEN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO PUT WINDOW DOWN TO SCAN INTO WORK LOT. NO VISIBLE ICING ON WINDOW WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT IT DOWN. THE OTHER 3 WINDOWS ON THE TRUCK WORK FINE AND DO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE, JUST THE DRIVER WINDOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES EACH WINTER SINCE OWNING THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10881543

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2016
Electrical System

2012 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND COMPUTER ASSEMBLY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT, ABS, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10876140

29,900 miles · Jun 16, 2016
Air Bags

MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT A DAY THEN WENT OFF. AT THE SAME TIME I NOTICE THE BACK SEAT DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK BY USING THE KEY FOB OR AUTO DOOR LOCKS. SINCE THEN, THE DOOR LOCKS WORK BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HOOKED UP A DIAGNOSTIC AND SHOWS NO ERRORS. TRUCK ONLY HAS 30K MILES AND WARRANTY IS OUT. I DO HAVE…

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MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT A DAY THEN WENT OFF. AT THE SAME TIME I NOTICE THE BACK SEAT DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK BY USING THE KEY FOB OR AUTO DOOR LOCKS. SINCE THEN, THE DOOR LOCKS WORK BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HOOKED UP A DIAGNOSTIC AND SHOWS NO ERRORS. TRUCK ONLY HAS 30K MILES AND WARRANTY IS OUT. I DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT FEEL THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT THIS LOW MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10874735

52,000 miles · Jun 12, 2016
Electrical System

ENGINE SHUTS OFF THEN RESTARTS ITSELF, ALSO WHEN CHECK 4X4 ICON APPEARS, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND, THEN THE VEHICLE WILL START. IN ALL INSTANCES THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, EITHER IN A PARKING LOT OR A GAS STATION GETTING GAS, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10873773

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INJURED IN A COLLISION. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INJURING MY HEAD. I ENDED UP UNCONSCIOUS. 12 STITCHES TO MY HEAD AND A TBI (TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY). THE WRECK OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2016 ON A RURAL ROAD HEADING TOWARD TOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10873486

38,000 miles · Jun 1, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE FAN FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO DEACTIVATE THE FAN. THE BATTERY WAS RECONNECTED AND THE RELAY SWITCH WAS BURNED AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE FAN FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO DEACTIVATE THE FAN. THE BATTERY WAS RECONNECTED AND THE RELAY SWITCH WAS BURNED AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10871921

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.