YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Ram 2500 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 17 brake complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, 6% of its 283 total complaints for the year, with 3 crashes and 1 injury reported. There is no related recall for this brake issue, and median mileage at failure is 45,000.

Brakes complaints
17
6% of 283
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
45,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal going spongy or sinking to the floor, sometimes just before a crash.
  • Several describe complete loss of braking response at highway speed, with the vehicle failing to slow when the pedal was pressed.
  • Some report the steering locking up or feeling hard right after applying the brakes, especially at low speed near stop signs.
  • Multiple owners noticed braking accompanied by a wobble, pull, or vibration in the steering, worse at higher speeds or over bumps.
  • A few describe intermittent loss of both power steering and brakes for a few seconds at moderate speed, which then returned on its own.
  • One owner linked a failed water pump and fan belt to a temporary loss of braking ability while coasting.

When 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 8, 2013, latest Dec 2, 2020.

2012 Dodge Ram 2500 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2013Jun 2014Oct 2015Apr 2016Sep 2016Mar 2018Jan 2019Dec 2020
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2013 to Dec 2020; peak Aug 2015 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Ram 2500 model year

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

  1. 200511 (3%)
  2. 200622 (3%)
  3. 200715 (4%)
  4. 20086 (2%)
  5. 20095 (2%)
  6. 20106 (3%)
  7. 201111 (4%)
  8. 201217 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 have?
NHTSA lists 17 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, which is 6% of the 283 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Ram 2500 brakes?
No. NHTSA data shows no related recall tied to the brake complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2012 Ram 2500?
The median mileage at failure across these brake complaints is 45,000 miles, though individual reports range from lower to much higher mileage.
Did any 2012 Ram 2500 brake complaints involve crashes or injuries?
Yes. Of the 17 brake complaints, 3 involved crashes, 1 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in an injury.
How does the 2012 Ram 2500 compare to other years for brake complaints?
NHTSA shows brake complaint share rising from 3% in 2010 and 4% in 2011 to 6% in 2012, the highest share of the three years listed.

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.