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Dodge

2012 Dodge RAM 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge RAM 2500 has 385 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 389. 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.

21 fire reports 8 crash reports 2 injuries

385

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

109 complaints
28%
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge RAM 2500

Based on 255 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
60
30-60K
79
60-100K
56
100-150K
30
150-200K
21
200K+
9

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 44K mi · 32 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
8
60-100K
6
100-150K
4
150-200K
1
200K+
2

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 35K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TIRES

Reported earliermedian 35K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 51 reports
0-30K
17
30-60K
18
60-100K
8
100-150K
1
150-200K
5
200K+
2

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
8
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge RAM 2500

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
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

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 2500, 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

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

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.

2012
385Average
2011
389Avoid This Year
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
389

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Dodge RAM 2500

Compare With

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