2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Suspension, Wheels & Tires Problems
Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems account for 52 complaints on the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, or 14% of its 366 total complaints. One crash and two injuries are linked to this area, with a median failure mileage of 28,500. A related recall (campaign 21V398000) covers lug nut torque specifications.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints
- 52
- 14% of 366
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 28,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical suspension symptoms owners report
- Tie rod ends and ball bolts have snapped or disengaged during low-speed maneuvers, in some cases puncturing the wheel rim.
- Owners report ball joints failing on the front suspension, raising concern about loss of steering control.
- One owner described dual rear wheels separating from the axle at highway speed, causing the truck to leave the road.
- Vehicles pull to one side even after repeated wheel alignments.
- Rear tire valve stems are positioned inside the wheel, making it difficult or impossible to check or add air without removing the tire.
- Some owners cite a steering-related recall notice but describe long delays getting replacement parts from dealers.
When 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 suspension complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 12, 2012, latest Sep 17, 2025.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500
- 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.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints by Ram 3500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are suspension, wheels & tire complaints on the 2012 Ram 3500?
- NHTSA lists 52 complaints in this area for the 2012 Ram 3500, which is 14% of the 366 total complaints filed for the model year.
- Is there a recall for suspension or wheel issues on the 2012 Ram 3500?
- Yes. Recall campaign 21V398000 addresses incorrect lug nut torque specifications in the service and owner's manuals for 2012-2021 Ram 3500 and related cab chassis models.
- At what mileage do these suspension problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure for suspension, wheels & tires complaints on the 2012 Ram 3500 is 28,500 miles, though several sample complaints report failures well before that, in the range of a few thousand to about 25,000 miles.
- Have suspension issues caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data lists 1 crash and 2 injuries tied to suspension, wheels & tires complaints on the 2012 Ram 3500, out of 52 total complaints in this area.
- How does 2012 compare to other Ram 3500 model years for this issue?
- NHTSA data shows 28 complaints (19% share) for 2010, 30 complaints (13% share) for 2011, and 52 complaints (14% share) for 2012 in this problem area.