2012 Dodge RAM 2500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Dodge RAM 2500 has 385 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: you can not control the movement of the truck when towing. it wonders from side to side of the road. took to dealer to have the front end checked. it checked ok. bf goodrich installed 4 new tires at 1900 miles. truck still road walks when towing. the only way to stop it is to apply the brakes. . ⚠️ 21 fire reports filed.
385
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
4.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
STEERING
109 complaints- • YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK WHEN TOWING. IT WONDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE THE FRONT END CHECKED. IT CHECKED OK. BF GOODRICH INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES AT 1900 MILES. TRUCK STILL ROAD WALKS WHEN TOWING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
- • I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY FORWARD IN A PARKING LOT. I TURNED LEFT AND MY LEFT TIE ROD BROKE. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALERSHIP. *TR
- • WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO GO FORWARD, I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. STOPPED FOR A MOMENT AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE ROD HAD BROKEN OFF AND WAS HANGING ALMOST TO THE GROUND. I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR PLACE FOR MAINTENANCE AND HAD I
“YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK WHEN TOWING. IT WONDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE THE FRONT END CHECKED. IT CHECKED OK. BF GOODRICH INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES AT 1900 MILES. TRUCK STILL ROAD WALKS WHEN TOWING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
54 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, CAUSING ALL OF THE GAUGES TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE OR DIAGNOSE ANY FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFOR
- • WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AHEAD WAS COMING TO A STOP BECAUSE OF A TRUCK MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO STAY AT THE SAME SPEED.I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT 1,800 RPM.I THEN PUT THE TRUCK
- • WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS ( 0 - 45 MPH ) OR STOPPED DEISEL EXHAUST ENTERS THE CAB THROUGH THE AIR VENTS DUE TO A LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL BY THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE'S REP. THE TRUCK HAS SPENT A TOTAL OF 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP SO FAR, WITH NO RESOLUTION. I HAVE
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, CAUSING ALL OF THE GAUGES TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE OR DIAGNOSE ANY FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFOR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
50 complaints- • ON MONDAY 9-2-2013 I DROPPED OF MY TRUCK AND TOOK MY CAR FOR A RIDE. WHEN I RETURNED TO GET MY TRUCK FOR WORK I REALIZED THAT THE CENTER DASH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ON 9-3-2013 I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO
- • I PURCHASED A 2012 RAM TRUCK FROM MELLOY DODGE WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD IT A YEAR AND IT WAS A TOP OF THE LINE TRUCK. SO, IT IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY PLUS THEY SOLD ME AN EXTENDED PLATINUM WARRANTY. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I WENT TO GET IN MY TRUCK IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COM
- • MY TRUCK WOULD NOT CRANK OVER WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT. DODGE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD IT OVER A WEEK AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIPM MODULE. THE GOT ONE 4 DAYS LATER AND NOW IT WONT ALLOW PROGRAMMING SO IT IS STILL NOT FIXED AND I AM LEFT WITHOUT A TRUCK WHILE THEY LEARN HOW TO FIX IT AT MY EXPENSE. SO FAR I
“ON MONDAY 9-2-2013 I DROPPED OF MY TRUCK AND TOOK MY CAR FOR A RIDE. WHEN I RETURNED TO GET MY TRUCK FOR WORK I REALIZED THAT THE CENTER DASH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ON 9-3-2013 I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
37 complaints- • CORRECTION OF SPEED TO ENTRY MADE THIS DATE FOR VIN#[XXX] IS 45 MPH. FAILURE MILEAGE IS AT 300 MILES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE INTO LOCK MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCKER GEAR KIT, ACTUATOR AND A CARRIER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. T
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE INTO LOCK MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOCKER GEAR KIT, ACTUATOR AND A CARRIER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. T
“CORRECTION OF SPEED TO ENTRY MADE THIS DATE FOR VIN#[XXX] IS 45 MPH. FAILURE MILEAGE IS AT 300 MILES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
34 complaints- • THIS IS A CNG TRUCK WITH A 35 GAL GASOLINE TANK AND TWO 9 GAL CNG TANKS --- THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED TO SAVE FUEL MONEY BY USING PRIMARILY CNG THE TRUCK COMPUTER PROGRAM SWITCHES THE CNG TO USE GASOLINE TOO OFTEN . WE USE 1/4 TANK OF GASOLINE EVERY WEEK -- THE TRUCK IS A CNG VEHICLE NOT A GASOL
- • HAVE CONNECTED DEALER TWICE, HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER GROUP RECALL CENTER BUT VEHICLE IS NOT FIXED. DEALER TELLS ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX. CHRYSLER DID NOT RESPOND AFTER CONNECT NOTICE. *TR
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND IN PARK, THE UNDERCARRIAGE AREA OF THE CABIN CAUGHT FIRE WHICH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT OR HOW THE FIRE WAS EXTIN
“THIS IS A CNG TRUCK WITH A 35 GAL GASOLINE TANK AND TWO 9 GAL CNG TANKS --- THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED TO SAVE FUEL MONEY BY USING PRIMARILY CNG THE TRUCK COMPUTER PROGRAM SWITCHES THE CNG TO USE GASOLINE TOO OFTEN . WE USE 1/4 TANK OF GASOLINE EVERY WEEK -- THE TRUCK IS A CNG VEHICLE NOT A GASOL”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 385 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK WHEN TOWING. IT WONDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE THE FRONT END CHECKED. IT CHECKED OK. BF GOODRICH INSTALLED 4 NEW TIRES AT 1900 MILES. TRUCK STILL ROAD WALKS WHEN TOWING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, CAUSING ALL OF THE GAUGES TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE OR DIAGNOSE ANY FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: ON MONDAY 9-2-2013 I DROPPED OF MY TRUCK AND TOOK MY CAR FOR A RIDE. WHEN I RETURNED TO GET MY TRUCK FOR WORK I REALIZED THAT THE CENTER DASH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ON 9-3-2013 I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: CORRECTION OF SPEED TO ENTRY MADE THIS DATE FOR VIN#[XXX] IS 45 MPH. FAILURE MILEAGE IS AT 300 MILES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Dodge RAM 2500 — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 385
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 21
- Crash reports
- 8
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Dodge RAM 2500