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Dodge

2012 Dodge RAM 5500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge RAM 5500 has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 51. The most common issue is steering problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: the truck wanders all over the road. going back and forth with the steering. this happens when driving down all type of roads and speed. *tr ## vin passed ## dodge ram 5500 2012 ##. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports

51

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

21 complaints
41%
  • • THE TRUCK WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING DOWN ALL TYPE OF ROADS AND SPEED. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## DODGE RAM 5500 2012 ##
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN THE LANE AND THE STEERING PULLED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDED
  • • THE RAM 5500 TENDS TO WANDER OVER UNDULATING OR IRREGULAR SURFACE ROADS REQUIRING A HIGH LEVEL OF VIGILANCE TO REMAIN IN ONE'S LANE. THE STEERING ALSO HAS A HIGHER THAN NORMAL STICTION LEVEL IN THAT IT IS HARDER THAN NORMAL TO TURN ENTERING A CORNER AND THEN FAILS TO READILY RETURN TO CENTER WHEN EX
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE TRUCK WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING DOWN ALL TYPE OF ROADS AND SPEED. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## DODGE RAM 5500 2012 ##”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge RAM 5500

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 33K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
11
30-60K
7
60-100K
4
100-150K
0
150-200K
3
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

STEERING

Later than typicalmedian 35K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
5
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
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 5500

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 5500, 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
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~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 51 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    STEERING: THE TRUCK WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING DOWN ALL TYPE OF ROADS AND SPEED. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## DODGE RAM 5500 2012 ##

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

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,00

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

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: ON DEC. 21, 2013 WAS DRIVING 2012 DODGE 5500 4 X 4 IN NEWBURY OHIO AND TRUCK LOW FUEL GAUGE CAME ON. THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND WIPERS TURNED ON AND TRUCK SHUT DOWN AND THEREFORE WIRES AND TIPM STARTED MELTING AND SMOKING AND BURNED ALL THE WIRES GOING INTO THE CAB AND CLUSTER. DRIVER DISCONN

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

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 2012 RAM 5500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR RECALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO RECEIVED RECALL # 13V527000. UPDATED 04/11/16.*JB

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

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

Dodge RAM 5500 — Year Comparison

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

2012
51Below Average
2011
34Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Fire reports
6
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
51

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Dodge RAM 5500

Compare With

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