2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 92 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500, 13% of all 697 complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 65,500 miles. Two related recalls (17V821000 and 13V038000) touch transmission and powertrain components.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 92
- 13% of 697
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 65,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle rolling or slipping out of park unexpectedly after being parked and the driver stepping away, in one case causing injury.
- Some report a noticeable bump or jarring thud felt inside the cabin when the truck comes to a complete stop from normal driving speeds.
- Others describe sudden loss of power or unresponsive acceleration while driving, with the transmission failing to downshift between 20 and 60 mph.
- One owner reported the driveshaft detaching while driving on a highway, producing a loud crash and metal flying from underneath the vehicle.
- Another described snow and slush packing around the shift linkage in cold weather, making it impossible to shift the truck into park.
- One owner noted the vehicle would lose speed while accelerating at 55 mph, requiring a restart, with a dealer citing the powertrain control module.
When 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 22, 2011, latest Apr 24, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500
- 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.
- NHTSA 13V038000Feb 6, 2013Transmission & Powertrain278,674 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, 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. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Ram 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500?
- NHTSA lists 92 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for this year, which is 13% of the 697 total complaints filed for the 2012 Ram 1500.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500?
- Yes. Recall 13V038000 covers 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks for a pinion nut retainer issue, and recall 17V821000 covers software and BTSI inspection related to transmission and powertrain components on a range of Ram trucks.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 65,500 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Ram 1500.
- Have transmission issues caused crashes or injuries in the 2012 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA data tied to this problem area lists 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.
- Is the 2012 Ram 1500 better or worse than other years for transmission complaints?
- The 2012 model year had 92 complaints (13% share) in this area, fewer than the 2010 model year's 229 complaints (47% share) and the 2011 model year's 176 complaints (26% share).