2012 Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
980 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 Ram 1500, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 39/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 66,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2012 sits among all 1500 years
What owners report
“Key fob switch shuts off dury start up and during driving.killing truck.been going on for about a year”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 1500
“Ticking sound coming from exhaust manifold, only when engine is cold, still continues when warmer nut not as noticeable.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 1500
“The fuel strap frame bracket failure has occured on my vehicle and i'm wondering why it was not covered under the recall? Ref: Safety Recall U04 / NHTSA 18V-160 Frame Bracket”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 1500
“Takata recall on my transmission shift solenoid i was driving it on january,25,2019 and while i was driving the truck it went in manual and it was stuck in 4th gear and i was going seventy and that is a safety hazard”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 1500
“My truck overheats when ever it is not in motion above 20 mph. The radiator fan does not turn on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 1500
“Had air bag dash warning light repaired at dealer. After 3 months light came back on. My fear is the air bag will deploy anytime.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 1500
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 638 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 70,875 miles. Half of those reports fall between 38,000 and 99,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.…
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:…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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 (FCA US LLC) is recalling aftermarket Mopar Canvas Seat Covers for certain 2012-2016 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring…
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,…
Fix: 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…
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 RAM 1500 TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5, 2012 THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2012. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE A SPARE TIRE THAT DOES NOT MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS LISTED ON THE TIRE PLACARD. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO…
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES AS NECCESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 20V024.
Technical service bulletins
282 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2012 Ram 1500. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 Ram 1500 reliable?
The 2012 Ram 1500 drew 980 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 39/100, scored against the model's worst year (2014).
What are the most common 2012 Ram 1500 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 Ram 1500 are electrical (223 complaints), engine (171), and fuel system (129).
At what mileage do 2012 Ram 1500 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 Ram 1500 problems around 70,875 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 38,000 and 99,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Ram 1500 have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 2012 Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.