YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 ranks 3rd worst out of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 697 NHTSA complaints. Electrical system issues lead at 30% of complaints, backed by 6 recalls covering fuel system, transmission, and airbag problems.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#3 of 9 Ram 1500 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
697
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
32
reported in complaints
Fires
10
Injuries
27
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2010
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
27 / 0

Top 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System211 (30%)
  2. Engine191 (27%)
  3. Fuel System126 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain92 (13%)
  5. Airbags80 (11%)
  6. Other70 (10%)
  7. Brakes62 (9%)
  8. Steering47 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body30 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including head-on and rear-end collisions, sometimes causing facial injuries.
  • Vehicles reportedly rolled or moved on their own after being placed in park, in one case pinning an owner against a house.
  • A vehicle caught fire while parked overnight, spreading to another truck and the owner's home.
  • Trucks reportedly lost traction or fishtailed unexpectedly on snow or highway driving, leading to loss of control.
  • One owner reported the parking brake failed to hold, letting the vehicle roll into water.
2012 Dodge Ram 1500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter412011 Q42013 Q42015 Q42017 Q42019 Q42021 Q42023 Q42025 Q4
697 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q3 (41).

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V160000Mar 8, 2018Fuel System218,617 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting

    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.

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles

    Equipment

    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

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Transmission & Powertrain1,482,874 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift

    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.

    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.

    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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 →

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Midgrade
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Ram 1500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good25486415
2011Caution63689415
2012Avoid75697616
2014No verdict010—

All Dodge Ram 1500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 a bad year?
Compared to other Ram 1500 model years, 2012 ranks 3rd worst out of 9, with a complaint index of 75 and a verdict of Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ram 1500?
Electrical system complaints make up 30% of the total, followed by engine issues at 27% and fuel system issues at 18%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2012 Ram 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Ram 1500, covering the fuel system, transmission, airbags, and other components; none are do-not-drive recalls.
How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2012 Ram 1500?
NHTSA lists 697 complaints for the 2012 Ram 1500, including 32 crashes, 10 fires, and 27 injuries.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Ram 1500?
The 2012 Ram 1500 gets an EPA-rated 16 mpg combined (14 city/20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.