YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 28 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, 8% of the 366 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 73,000. A related transmission-replacement recall (13V344000) covers trucks built May 4 through August 7, 2012.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
28
8% of 366
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
73,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Front driveline or drive shaft separates from the transfer case while driving at highway speed, sometimes with a loud bang and vibration.
  • Vehicle loses power or stalls without warning, occasionally accompanied by a flashing throttle light and engine light before the engine dies.
  • Gear selector fails to hold the truck in park, letting it roll after the driver shifts into neutral or park.
  • Intermittent failure to shift into reverse, with the truck unable to move despite the gear lever showing reverse.
  • Jerking or vibration during acceleration from a stop, felt at the rear end and front end at various speeds.
  • Abnormal noise followed by stalling at highway speed, with the gear shift failing to respond afterward.

When 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 24, 2014, latest Apr 30, 2026.

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2014Nov 2014Aug 2015Sep 2017Feb 2019May 2020May 2024
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2014 to Apr 2026; peak Feb 2018 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V344000Aug 6, 2013Transmission & Powertrain85 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.

    Risk: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Ram 3500 model year

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

  1. 200532 (16%)
  2. 200622 (9%)
  3. 200714 (7%)
  4. 200810 (6%)
  5. 20094 (4%)
  6. 20108 (5%)
  7. 20119 (4%)
  8. 201228 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA lists 28 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Ram 3500, which is 8% of the 366 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500?
Yes. Recall 13V344000, reported August 6, 2013, covers 2012 Ram 3500 trucks built May 4 through August 7, 2012, and Chrysler replaced the transmission assembly free of charge. A second recall, 17V821000, also touches Transmission & Powertrain on related Ram models.
At what mileage do transmission problems show up on the 2012 Ram 3500?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 73,000 miles, though individual sample complaints range much lower and higher than that.
Do the transmission complaints involve crashes or fires?
No. NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2012 Ram 3500 shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries reported.
How does 2012 compare to other Ram 3500 years for transmission complaints?
NHTSA shows 8 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for 2010 (5% share) and 9 for 2011 (4% share), compared to 28 complaints (8% share) for 2012.

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.