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Dodge

2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 has 978 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 988. The most common issue is electrical problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: 2012 dodge ram 1500 crew cab lone star 5.7 hemi w/mds auto trans. transmission has a very moderate "bump" or jarring thud inside the vehicle after the truck comes to a complete stop from normal driving speeds in city/highway. took to dealership and they could not repeat concern as i described. this . ⚠️ 11 fire reports filed.

11 fire reports 38 crash reports 31 injuries

978

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

176 complaints
18%
  • • 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB LONE STAR 5.7 HEMI W/MDS AUTO TRANS. TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY MODERATE "BUMP" OR JARRING THUD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS IN CITY/HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPEAT CONCERN AS I DESCRIBED. THIS
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE HORN WAS REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE HORN FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE HORN SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET A RESPONSE.
  • • STARTED VEHICLE AFTER I RAN ERRANDS AND GOT ABOUT 500 YARDS BEFORE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES INCLUDED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RUNNING WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL WAS SET TO OFF, DISPLAYING A WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS NOT LATCHED WHEN THE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 6 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“2012 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB LONE STAR 5.7 HEMI W/MDS AUTO TRANS. TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY MODERATE "BUMP" OR JARRING THUD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS IN CITY/HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPEAT CONCERN AS I DESCRIBED. THIS ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Based on 662 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 69K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
142
30-60K
135
60-100K
227
100-150K
102
150-200K
48
200K+
8

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 66K mi · 58 reports
0-30K
20
30-60K
7
60-100K
17
100-150K
9
150-200K
3
200K+
2

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 33K mi · 20 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
3
60-100K
7
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 76K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
2
60-100K
5
100-150K
5
150-200K
1
200K+
0

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 51K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
3
150-200K
1
200K+
0

WHEELS

Earlier than typicalmedian 26K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 54K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Live EIA prices
Per year
$4,759
Per month
$397
Per mile
39.7¢
kWh/mi
2.11

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,817
Full coverage / month
$151
Liability only / year
$679
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1817

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2012 RAM 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000
Clean Cars 4 All
ColoradoUp to $5,000
Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit
ConnecticutUp to $4,250
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)
DelawareUp to $2,500
Clean Vehicle Rebate
IllinoisUp to $4,000
Illinois EV Rebate Program
MarylandUp to $3,000
Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
MassachusettsUp to $3,500
MOR-EV
New JerseyUp to $4,000
Charge Up New Jersey
New YorkUp to $2,000
Drive Clean Rebate
OregonUp to $7,500
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
Rhode IslandUp to $2,500
DRIVEEV
TexasUp to $2,500
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive
VermontUp to $5,000
Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles
See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 978 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB LONE STAR 5.7 HEMI W/MDS AUTO TRANS. TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY MODERATE "BUMP" OR JARRING THUD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS IN CITY/HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPEAT CONCERN AS I DESCRIBED. THIS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 2012 DODGE RAM WITH 4.7 LITRE ENGINE. NOTICED A GROUND OUT VIBRATION TYPE NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT IDLE IN GEAR AT STOP LIGHT THERE WAS A REALLY NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP TO BE LOOSE AND UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO THREADS IN MOUNTIN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS BEING REAR ENDED EVEN THOUGH NO ONE IS BEHIND IT.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB LONE STAR 5.7 HEMI W/MDS AUTO TRANS. TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY MODERATE "BUMP" OR JARRING THUD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS IN CITY/HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPEAT CONCERN AS I DESCRIBED. THIS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Dodge RAM 1500 — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2012
978Average
2011
988Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
978
Recalls
0
Fire reports
11
Crash reports
38
Injury reports
31
Segment avg
988

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Dodge RAM 1500

Compare With

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