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Dodge

2012 Dodge RAM 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 has 502 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 502. The most common issue is steering problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: pulling into a parking spot and turned wheel. left lower tie rod bolt snapped. *tr. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 5 crash reports 5 injuries

502

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

223 complaints
44%
  • • PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNED WHEEL. LEFT LOWER TIE ROD BOLT SNAPPED. *TR
  • • I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. MY TRUCK FELT AS THOUGH IT HAD SHIFTED INTO 4WD. I STOPPED, MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET. STOPPED AND BACKED FIVE FEET. I THEN HEARD AN AIR LEAK. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE TIE ROD HAD DISENGAGED, D
  • • MY SAFETY ISSUE IS WHEN A LANCE TRUCK CAMPER, MODEL 1172 IS ATTACHED TO TRUCK. THE CG IS 6-8 BEHIND THE REAR AXLE (EVEN THOUGH BOTH DODGE AND LANCE DATA SHEETS INDICATE IT SHOULD BE OVER OR IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL). IN ADDITION, WHEN FRESH WATER TANK IS FULL (AND WITHOUT A NORMAL CAMPING LOAD), THE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNED WHEEL. LEFT LOWER TIE ROD BOLT SNAPPED. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500

Based on 238 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
87
30-60K
45
60-100K
31
100-150K
42
150-200K
23
200K+
10

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 73 reports
0-30K
37
30-60K
18
60-100K
9
100-150K
5
150-200K
4
200K+
0

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 28 reports
0-30K
18
30-60K
4
60-100K
4
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
1

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 73K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
5
60-100K
2
100-150K
5
150-200K
3
200K+
1

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 124K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
3
200K+
1

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
2

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 59K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
1

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 3500

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 3500, 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
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 502 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    STEERING: PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNED WHEEL. LEFT LOWER TIE ROD BOLT SNAPPED. *TR

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

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 LARAMIE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE CONTROLLER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A DEALER HELPED HIM INSTALL A UNIVERSAL BRAKE CONTROLLER, BUT IT DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ABLE TO USE IT, WITH THE HAND CONTROL, BUT NOT THE FOOT CONTROL. THE BRAKES WOU

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

  • ☐
    ENGINE: I PULL A LIGHT WEIGHT 40' GOOSENECK TRAILER, AND WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE DROPPED TREMENDOUSLY AND THE COOLANT TEMP STAYED AROUND 220DEG AND I NOTICED A HORRIBLE LOSS OF POWER WHICH WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN AROUND 40-45MPH! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PERFORMED

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

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: I PULL A LIGHT WEIGHT 40' GOOSENECK TRAILER, AND WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE DROPPED TREMENDOUSLY AND THE COOLANT TEMP STAYED AROUND 220DEG AND I NOTICED A HORRIBLE LOSS OF POWER WHICH WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN AROUND 40-45MPH! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PERFORMED

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

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

Dodge RAM 3500 — Year Comparison

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

2012
502Avoid This Year
2011
293Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
502
Recalls
0
Fire reports
6
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
502

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Dodge RAM 3500

Compare With

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