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2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 366 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, most often about the steering (61% of complaints, typically around 28,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Ram 3500 model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 problems
Steering
222 complaints · 61%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
Received recall notice on tie rod ends could fail took vehicle in to steve landers Dodge in little rock ar and was told parts are on reorder from factory and they only receive parts to fix 4 trucks a month that they would call me when my time comes up on waiting list never got the call carried truck in today 8/25/2014…
Had right front tire replaced at 25,000 miles due to wear. In january, 2014, rec'd notice from chrysler to take vehicle in for parts replacement to prevent wreck. Service dept at dealer said 'park it unsafe to drive..be 10-12 wks before part can be secured to replace'..called the recall people they said 'only 1 part…
Electrical
45 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, integrated trailer brake control.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Lithia chrysler jeep Dodge of missoula (5001 grizzly ct, missoula, mt…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and waited for several seconds before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The…
Engine
44 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Water pump failure, vehicle equipped with a concentric water pump with no weephole. Same concern as t51 water pump recall affecting 2013-2017 ram trucks with 6.7 diesel engine. This vehicle built 12/2012 but is considered a 2012 not a 2013. Current recall applies to 2013 models built after oct 24th 2012.
Something in transmission (68rfe) failed and dumps fluid out of the transmission dip stick tube onto the turbo which could cause a fire. This happened while driving and smoke started coming out of engine compartment. I was driving on a city street in the town I lived.
Fuel system
40 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 126,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving approximately 70 MPH and towing a 2017 wood deck trailer fmcw-11000-20s, the contact heard a banging noise underneath the floorboard. Suddenly, the front drive shaft and transfer case separated and blew up. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled…
Truck shuts off at random at various speeds and after coasting will start itself up again. Throws every light on the dash on including trailer brake malfunction but throws no ECM codes. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the key fob/starter relay recognizing the key.
Suspension
36 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I received an official recall notice for my vehicle (recall notice n49/NHTSA 13v-529) affecting the left tie rod. I have tried having my truck serviced at two different dealerships for this recall since receiving this notice in late december 2013. The dealerships have not been able to schedule my service because they…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the front tires had shown signs of premature wear and the vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the front ball joints were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was…
Transmission
28 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly.
Something in transmission (68rfe) failed and dumps fluid out of the transmission dip stick tube onto the turbo which could cause a fire. This happened while driving and smoke started coming out of engine compartment. I was driving on a city street in the town I lived.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise occurred, the vehicle lost power, and became uncontrollable. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the transfer case shattered and was on the ground. Also, the front and rear driveshafts…
Wheels and tires
18 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, rim, tread/belt, hub.
The wheel studs break whenever I'm changing tires, I've replaced 7 total. I have to put them on very gently then I torque down by hand. I run a fleet of trucks and do mechanic work. This is the first vehicle I've had to do this on. Right now I'm sittin on the side of the road because my right/rear tire fell off due to…
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500 equipped with duraturn tires, tire line: travia a/t, tire size: 235/85/r17, dot number: dotufppflb1117. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the two front tires made abnormal sounds. The contact stopped and inspected the tire and became aware that the treads on both tires…
Air bags
15 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While operating the vehicle, the passenger side air bag indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fremont motors of casper (6101 e. 2nd st, casper, wy) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side air bag sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While operating the vehicle, the passenger side air bag sensor remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fremont motors of casper (6101 e. 2nd st, casper, wy) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side air bag sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
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 3500 recalls
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on november 30, 2021. Campaign y36 owner notification letters were mailed on november 30, 2021. Campaign y26 owner notification letters were mailed on december 1, 2021. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US's numbers for this recall are y26 and y36.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US, llc) is recalling certain 2012-2021 ram 3500, 3500 cab chassis, 4500 cab chassis, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the service and owner's manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
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.
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on december 23, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s68.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 dodge charger police vehicles, 2007-2013 ram 3500 cab chassis, 2008-2013 ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis, and 2013 ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, diesel
Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on december 8, 2014. The recall began on april 27, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p65.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured march 27, 2009, to september 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners on january 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about february 27, 2014, chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about april 14, 2014. 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, je
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 ram 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4 trucks, 2008-2012 dodge ram 3500 4x2 cab chassis, and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n50.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 ram 3500 trucks manufactured may 4, 2012, through august 7, 2012; and model year 2012 ram 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured may 3, 2012, through august 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
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 3500
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (222 complaints, typically around 28,000 miles); electrical (45 complaints, typically around 114,000 miles); engine (44 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 27, 2021 (wheels and tires). 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 3500?
- It is the most complained-about Ram 3500 model year since 2000, with 366 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.