YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 3 Ram 3500 years

The 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 has a Complaint Index of 100, the worst of the 3 model years with data, ranking 1st worst-first. Steering complaints dominate at 61% of the 366 total complaints, with 8 recalls on file.

Complaints
366
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
4 / 8
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering222 (61%)
  2. Electrical System53 (14%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires52 (14%)
  4. Engine47 (13%)
  5. Fuel System40 (11%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain28 (8%)
  7. Brakes16 (4%)
  8. Airbags15 (4%)
  9. Other10 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body5 (1%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the truck unexpectedly moving after shifting into drive without applying the gas, leading to a low-mileage crash into a residence.
  • Brake calipers on all four wheels reportedly overheated and caught fire while driving at low speed, despite recently installed brakes.
  • The driver-side power window and lock control module reportedly smoldered and caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke and disabling the door controls.
  • Owners describe the passenger side dual wheels detaching from the axle while driving, causing the truck to leave the road.
  • Some owners report the totally integrated power module catching fire while the vehicle was parked and off, with headlights flashing and the horn sounding beforehand.
  • A rear door window switch reportedly caught fire while driving, filling the cabin with smoke before the driver could pull over.
2012 Dodge Ram 3500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter902012 Q12014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q12024 Q4
493 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q1 (90).

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V398000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires447,985 vehicles

    Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

    Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.

  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 8 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 →

2012 compared with other Ram 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict01509 !—
2011No verdict502255—
2012No verdict1003668—

All Dodge Ram 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500?
Among the 3 model years with data, 2012 has the highest Complaint Index at 100 and ranks worst overall, driven mainly by steering complaints (61% of all complaints).
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ram 3500?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 222 of 366 complaints (61%), with a median mileage at failure of 27,750 miles.
Does the 2012 Ram 3500 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2012 Ram 3500, covering steering linkage, transmission assembly, airbags, alternators, and other components.
Are there fire risks with the 2012 Ram 3500?
NHTSA complaint data shows 8 reported fires for this model year, including electrical fires involving the power module, brake calipers, and window switches.
How does 2012 compare to other Ram 3500 years?
The 2012 model year has a Complaint Index of 100, compared to 50 for 2011 and 0 for 2010, making 2012 the worst-ranked year among the 3 with data.

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.