2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 Ram 1500 years
The 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 has 697 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 100, and ranks worst of the 4 model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System issues lead at 30% of complaints, with 6 recalls filed against this year.
- Complaints
- 697
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 32 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
Top 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System211 (30%)
- Engine191 (27%)
- Fuel System126 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain92 (13%)
- Airbags80 (11%)
- Other70 (10%)
- Brakes62 (9%)
- Steering47 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (5%)
- Structure & Body30 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including head-on and rear-end collisions, sometimes causing injuries that require hospital treatment.
- Vehicles reportedly shift out of park on their own and roll while unattended, in some cases pinning or injuring the owner.
- Trucks lose rear-end traction and fishtail on snow or highway surfaces, leading to loss of control and ditch or median crashes.
- An engine fire started overnight while the truck was parked, spreading to a nearby vehicle and a home.
- Parking brake reportedly failed to hold, allowing the truck to roll into a body of water while unattended.
2012 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Ram 1500 ranks worst among the 4 model years with data, with 697 complaints and a complaint index of 100, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Ram 1500 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 211 complaints, or 30% of all complaints, with a median mileage at failure around 65,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Ram 1500, covering the fuel system, transmission and powertrain, airbags, fire extinguishers, and a spare tire specification issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Ram 1500 compare to other years?
- The 2012 model has a complaint index of 100 and ranks worst of the years tracked, while 2010 (index 33, Good) and 2011 (index 67, Caution) scored better.
- How bad are the airbag complaints in the 2012 Ram 1500?
- Airbags account for 80 complaints, 11% of the total, with 16 crashes reported and a median mileage at failure of 60,000, including multiple reports of non-deployment during collisions.