YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Brakes Problems

The 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 logged 62 brake complaints to NHTSA, 9% of its 697 total complaints for the year — the highest brake share among the model years listed. No related recalls are on file, and median mileage at failure was 42,000.

Brakes complaints
62
9% of 697
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
42,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal goes soft or 'mushy' and sinks toward the floor, requiring the driver to pump it before the truck stops.
  • Some owners report the brakes failing to stop the vehicle at low speed, resulting in a collision with a parked car or another object.
  • Engine stalls suddenly while driving, cutting power steering and brakes at the same time and forcing the driver to coast to a stop.
  • Electronic stability control has been reported to apply brakes and cut power unexpectedly while off-road or on rough pavement, causing the truck to yaw.
  • A parking brake was reported to fail to hold the truck, allowing it to roll and crash.
  • Owners also describe electrical issues, including a wiring harness fire near the steering column, occurring alongside brake-related complaints.

When 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 13, 2013, latest Jul 17, 2025.

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2013Jul 2015Oct 2016Oct 2017Aug 2018Dec 2019Sep 2023Jul 2025
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2013 to Jul 2025; peak Aug 2015 (5).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Ram 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201020 (4%)
  2. 201137 (5%)
  3. 201262 (9%)
  4. 20140 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 62 brake complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500, which is 9% of the 697 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes?
No related recalls are listed in the data for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 brake system.
At what mileage do 2012 Ram 1500 brake problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2012 Ram 1500 is 42,000 miles.
Did brake problems cause crashes on the 2012 Ram 1500?
NHTSA records show 5 crashes and 2 fires associated with brake complaints on the 2012 Ram 1500, with no reported injuries.
Is the 2012 Ram 1500 worse for brakes than other years?
Yes, relative to other years in the data, 2012 has the highest brake complaint share at 9%, compared to 4% in 2010, 5% in 2011, and 0% in 2014.

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.