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2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 698 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500, most often about the electrical (25% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is 7th of 14 Ram 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Electrical
175 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
The tipm and fuel relay keep going out in my truck. It causes it to not start or the fuel pump keeps running and drains my battery overnight. I've contacted Dodge since they have recalls on other vehicles with the same problem, but they refuse to do anything about it
My truck fuel light came on truck sputtered and died in about 30 seconds. Luckily I was in a good spot to pull over and stop. I lifted the hood and could smell wires burning. I lifted the fuse box lid and seen the fuses smoking so I pulled one fuse that was the starter solenoid fuse.I was on highway with lots of rock…
Engine
170 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Tried to start truck - dead jumped battery - went and bought a new battery truck ran fine during the day - went out next morning - truck would try to turn over but wouldn't start- took it to dealer- dealer said to diagnose would be $ 130 dollars paid for that- they said that the battery was not hooked up correctly…
Truck has 84k miles and suddenly has p0303 code for misfire. Immediately took to mechanic. So far valve and lifter have been replaced, but problem still exhists. Most likely a worn down cam lobe from the bad lifter, so now im without a vehiclefor at least 3 weeks that I still owe 20k on. I cant believe the parts…
Fuel system
126 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated the gasoline leaked from the fuel tank while refueling. The contact inspected the vehicle however, was unable to find the location of the fuel leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Neuwirth motors (219 college rd, wilmington, nc 28403) was contacted and…
Fuel pump failing intermittently. Mechanic diagnosed a bad fuel pump relay on the tipm. I have found this is a very common problem and other chrysler products with same issue have been recalled but the ram trucks with the identical part and problem have not been recalled. Failure of fuel pump while driving could cause…
Transmission
92 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, axle assembly.
I was driving on hwy 59 in houston for about an hour, I noticed a humming sound coming from below the vehicle. I was exiting 59 onto sam houston toll road, when the humming started and then I heard a loud crash. I immediately looked in the rear view mirror, to see if I had hit something and I saw the drive shaft…
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…
Air bags
80 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 20 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the wiring harness was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Update 01/13/16 ma…
Other or unspecified
67 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
The engine cooling has a bad design for the exhaust manifolds so 2 bolts on each side broke off in the engine block and now there is large exhaust leaks on both sides of the engine. This is the most common defect I have seen by talking to people and on any forum and am very surprised this isn't a recall already
Existing case #11308350 hissing sound in gas tank while on road in motion, on a city street, and a highway and turning and stationary, even noticed it when truck is turned off and sound will not turn off, killed one battery already, truck does not smell like gas. Maybe electrical definitely should be recalled seems…
Brakes
51 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
When I was driving on the interstate I had to stop suddenly for a another vehicle who had cut me off and I had problems with the right front brake sticking and causing friction and a burning smell...this has been an off and on problem when ever I have to suddenly stop. I had had the oil changed and tires rotated but…
Front, right side brakes I.e. Rotor and calipers faulty after only 35,000 miles. Vehicle pulled to the right and brake components began to smoke on june 20, 2017 while driving. Vehicle is used for general driving and never used for payloads heavier than 500 pounds nor used to pull a trailer.#
Steering
47 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
While traveling down road the vehicle just shut off losing steering and braking was able to put in neutral and get started after several tries of starting and it would shut right back off before it would start and stay running, it has done this numerous times sometimes when first starting vehicle sometimes right after…
My vehicle experienced erratic driving, brought to dealer stated my rack and pinion failed and had to be replaced. My vehicle is not part of recall, which I don't understand, this vehicle failed in a major way which endangered me and my family and I was never notified by manufacturer. Sad thing about this does my…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls
Fuel system: mounting
Risk: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began may 2, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u04.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began february 14, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "product safety recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is t82.
Full defect summary
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
Transmission: column shift
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the btsi, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t79.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on september 18, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r36.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: differential unit
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Fix: On november 7, 2013 chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In july 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new dodge, jeep, chrysler, or fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on august 31, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: If installed, the incorrectly sized spare tire may unexpectedly activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system, altering the effectiveness of the ESC system, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair vehicles as neccessary free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2012. Owners should contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 ram 1500 trucks, manufactured from january 5, 2012 through january 6, 2012. The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, âtire selection and rims.â
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical overstress
Summary
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.â 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. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (175 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); engine (170 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); fuel system (126 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 8, 2018 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 1500?
- It is 7th of 14 Ram 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 698 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.