← New search

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
32,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Exterior LightingService BrakesSteering

WHEN STEERING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STUD-ER OR GET STICKY AT TIMES AS YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE STEERING BUT THEY GREASED THE FRONT END, SEEMS TO BE BETTER. WHEN AT LOW OR HIGH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES NORMALLY NOT IN A EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION, THE FRON…

Read full complaint

WHEN STEERING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STUD-ER OR GET STICKY AT TIMES AS YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE STEERING BUT THEY GREASED THE FRONT END, SEEMS TO BE BETTER. WHEN AT LOW OR HIGH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES NORMALLY NOT IN A EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION, THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. STATED AROUND 30,000 MILES THE DRIVER SIDE PARKING LIGHTS OR RUNNING LIGHTS FRONT AND REAR ARE OFF AND NOT WORKING, DIRECTIONAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM FINE.

NHTSA ODI #10745869

87,567 miles · Aug 3, 2015
SteeringWheelsCrash

DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCK STARTS TO FISHTAIL OUT OF CONTROL FROM THE REAR, CAUSING ME TO GO INTO THE DITCH IN ONE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THEN COMING OUT TO GO ACROSS THE INTERSTATE THEN LAND IN THE MEDIAN DITCH. FORTUNATELY I HIT NO ONE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED EXCEPT SCARING ME TILL I DON'T LIKE DRIVING MUCH AN…

Read full complaint

DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCK STARTS TO FISHTAIL OUT OF CONTROL FROM THE REAR, CAUSING ME TO GO INTO THE DITCH IN ONE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THEN COMING OUT TO GO ACROSS THE INTERSTATE THEN LAND IN THE MEDIAN DITCH. FORTUNATELY I HIT NO ONE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED EXCEPT SCARING ME TILL I DON'T LIKE DRIVING MUCH ANYMORE. THE DAMAGES WERE MINOR LOSS OF THE INSERTS TO THE LOCKED RIMS WHICH WERE BROCKEN OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10745725

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2015
Service Brakes

I HAD MY FIRST BRAND NEW TRUCK FOR ONLY ABOUT A WEEK WHEN I NOTICED A SLAPPING TO THE FLOOR PAN ON DRIVERS SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER MAKING THEM GO FOR A TEST DRIVE, THEY DECIDED TO CHECK INTO IT AND FOUND THE E BRAKE CABLE LOOSE. THEIR FIX WAS TO SIMPLY REROUTE IT. THREE DAYS LATER I GOT THE TRUCK BACK WITH IT STI…

Read full complaint

I HAD MY FIRST BRAND NEW TRUCK FOR ONLY ABOUT A WEEK WHEN I NOTICED A SLAPPING TO THE FLOOR PAN ON DRIVERS SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER MAKING THEM GO FOR A TEST DRIVE, THEY DECIDED TO CHECK INTO IT AND FOUND THE E BRAKE CABLE LOOSE. THEIR FIX WAS TO SIMPLY REROUTE IT. THREE DAYS LATER I GOT THE TRUCK BACK WITH IT STILL DOING IT. A WHILE LATER I TOOK IT BACK IN FOR THE SAME NOISE AND REMINDED THEM WHAT THEY DID. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO WITH IT. NEXT ONE WON'T BE A DODGE.

NHTSA ODI #10745609

30,500 miles · Jul 31, 2015
Electrical System

THE AIRBAG FAULT SENSOR KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. I BROUGHT BACK TOT HE DEALERSHIP ONCE AND THEY REPAIRED IT BUT IT STILL COMES ON EVERY SO OFTEN BUT DOESN'T STAY ON. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG EVEN AFTER THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10745482

200 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Suspension

WELL MY TRUCK VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 70 TO 85 AND THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG AND I AM SO ANGRY I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH 20 MILES ON IT AND IT DRIVES LIKE AND OLD TRUCK

NHTSA ODI #10745178

32,234 miles · Jul 29, 2015
SteeringSuspension

TOOK TRUCK TO COPPUS MOTORS TIFFIN,OHIO ON 4/21/2015 DUE TO FRONT LEFT OF VEHICLE MAKING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND WANTED TO KNOW IF IT WAS FROM THE TIRE, OR SOMETHING WRONG WITH FRONT END. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CHECKED BEARINGS AND SUSPENSION AND ALL CHECKED OK. WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER TO HAVE A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR GOODYEAR CH…

Read full complaint

TOOK TRUCK TO COPPUS MOTORS TIFFIN,OHIO ON 4/21/2015 DUE TO FRONT LEFT OF VEHICLE MAKING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND WANTED TO KNOW IF IT WAS FROM THE TIRE, OR SOMETHING WRONG WITH FRONT END. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CHECKED BEARINGS AND SUSPENSION AND ALL CHECKED OK. WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER TO HAVE A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR GOODYEAR CHECK TIRES, AT THAT TIME THEY ADVISED ME, THE FRONT END MUST BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.TOOK TRUCK TO INDEPENDANT FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUSINESS, TO HAVE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AFTER PURCHASING NEW TIRES. TOE AND CAMBER WERE BOTH OUT AND WERE ADJUSTED. AFTER 3 WKS. TIME, FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS OUT AGAIN. SAME BUSINESS, REALIGNED AGAIN. 2WKS LATER TOOK TO COPPUS MOTORS AND IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN, DEALERSHIP ALIGNED IT. 3WKS LATER TOOK BACK TO COPPUS MOTORS AS REQUESTED BY DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ALIGNMENT AND IT WAS OUT AGAIN. MY NEW TRUCK TIRES ARE NOW SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND ARE GOING TO SOON NEED REPLACED, AND TRUCK IS STILL NOT FIXED YET. AT THIS TIME, COPPUS MOTORS IS UNSURE HOW TO REPAIR ALIGNMENT SO IT WILL HOLD. SINCE THIS ALL STARTED I HAVE ONLY ACCUMULATED 4,000 MI. TO HAVE ANOTHER SET OF TIRES ALREADY SHOWING WEAR AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT SOON.

NHTSA ODI #10744705

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2015
Steering

WHEN DRIVING OR DIPS OR SMALL HOLES ON THE ROAD THE TRUCK SHIFTS HARD TO RIGHT AND LEFT EVERY TIME.HAD FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS .CAN'T BELIEVE OUT OF 600,000 VEHICLES NO RECALL OR BY BACK ON MY 2012 RAM.WHEN THEY SPECIFICALLY LISTED 2012 AS ONE OF THE YEARS THAT GOT RECALLED.I EXPECT A RECALL AND ACCOMM…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING OR DIPS OR SMALL HOLES ON THE ROAD THE TRUCK SHIFTS HARD TO RIGHT AND LEFT EVERY TIME.HAD FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS .CAN'T BELIEVE OUT OF 600,000 VEHICLES NO RECALL OR BY BACK ON MY 2012 RAM.WHEN THEY SPECIFICALLY LISTED 2012 AS ONE OF THE YEARS THAT GOT RECALLED.I EXPECT A RECALL AND ACCOMMODATION.

NHTSA ODI #10744539

1,575 miles · Jul 28, 2015
Tires

FAILURE OF TIRES ON 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 TO STOP VEHICLE IN STATED DISTANCE WHEN ROADWAY IS WET. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP TWICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THESE ARE GOODYEAR TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #10744317

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2015
Steering

MAKES A POPPING SOUND ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10744181

23,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Wheels

I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING DODGE. I HAVE NOT RECIEVED ANY LETTERS OR A WRITTEN NOTICE ON MY RAM 1500 PICKUP. I AM STATIONED IN KOREA AND PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM A DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA. I HAVE THE TRUCK WITH ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I GET NO ANSWERS FROM THE MAKER. I DO NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING A VEHICLE HERE THAT HAS …

Read full complaint

I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING DODGE. I HAVE NOT RECIEVED ANY LETTERS OR A WRITTEN NOTICE ON MY RAM 1500 PICKUP. I AM STATIONED IN KOREA AND PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM A DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA. I HAVE THE TRUCK WITH ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I GET NO ANSWERS FROM THE MAKER. I DO NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING A VEHICLE HERE THAT HAS A PROBLEM FOR WHICH I CANNOT GET IT FIXED AND MAY KILL ME OR SOMEONE ELSE IN KOREA. THE NEW CAR SALES PEOPLE HERE IN THE PX ARE NO HELP AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS SELL YOU A NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10744046

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.