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2012 Dodge Ram 5500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500, most often about the steering (53% of complaints, typically around 35,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Ram 5500 model year since 2000 and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 problems
Steering
21 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, column.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and approaching an exit, the front driver's side wheel began wobbling. The contact stopped the vehicle and found that the wheel bearing was exposed and the front driver's side tire had detached from the wheel well. The…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel became unstable and spun around uncontrollably. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod assembly fractured. In addition, the vehicle was unable to be serviced…
Transmission
9 complaints · 23%Parts named most often: axle assembly.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact received NHTSA recall campaign number: 13v239000 (power train). The manufacturer and the dealer were contacted and stated the part was not available for repair. The contact did not experience a failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the adapter that secured the axle assembly fractured and caused the steering wheel to lock. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 13v239000 (power train). The dealer verified the…
Electrical
7 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
The ignition switch is faulty! The switch must be moved around in the switch to start the truck. Additionally while driving the truck may just quite running, this causes the power steering and brakes to become manual. This becomes very dangerous when hauling loads as stopping distances are greatly increased, not to…
On october 1 2015 at 6:45 in the morning our Ram 5500 was backed into the driveway and turned off. Shortly thereafter the driver noticed smoke and opened the hood. There was a fire. He used the fire extinguisher to put it out and disconnected the battery cables. We had the truck towed. I contacted Dodge and wasn't…
Engine
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: engine.
On the evening of july 30, 2015 while driving my 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 utility truck, there was a fire in the engine compartment which I believe was due to recall p65. This recall is for the diesel fuel heater electrical connector. This vehicle was taken to dealerships multiple times for repair, yet I was told that no…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge ram. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH the vehicle started making noise coming from the engine compartment. The smoke originates from the engine compartment and the exhaust pipe in the rear of the vehicle and when the accelerator was depressed the vehicle did…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 8%On the evening of july 30, 2015 while driving my 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 utility truck, there was a fire in the engine compartment which I believe was due to recall p65. This recall is for the diesel fuel heater electrical connector. This vehicle was taken to dealerships multiple times for repair, yet I was told that no…
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 5500 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: On may 19, 2015 chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, 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. Chr
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 ram 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured february 20, 2007, through december 22, 2012. 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.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: Damage to other components, or sudden loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace or repair the front axle assembly, free of charge. The recall began on may 1, 2014. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n26.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 ram 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured february 2, 2012, to december 22, 2012. Due to a welding issue with the front axle carrier, the front drive shaft may fracture and result in a loss of motive power and damage to surrounding components if the shaft continues to spin.
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 5500
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (21 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles); transmission (9 complaints); electrical (7 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 have?
- 9 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 5500?
- It is the most complained-about Ram 5500 model year since 2000, with 40 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.
Other Dodge Ram 5500 years
- 2012