Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words
The wireless ignition module loses connection internally and the truck will lose power while driving. It usually happens when hitting a small bump and the key in the ignition moves. Truck loses electrical power which shuts the engine off which means loss of power steering and brakes.
The key loses contact and vehicle shuts off at random times. The vehicle is not able to be steered when shut off happens. Could very easily cause an accident. It has happened driving on the highway at highway speeds and also on county roads driving slower. There are no warning messages. I have inspected it myself and believe the ignition box needs replaced
Vehicle will, at random, completely lose all power while driving unexpectedly. There seems to be no cause that precipitates this loss of power. During the night, it is extremely dangerous, because the lights and everything go out.
My key fob ignition switch is going bad. The 1st time I noticed is when I was pulling my camper on vacation and the truck just shut off all the lights everything. I safely pulled over and then I tried to start it and it wouldn't start.. I then wiggled the key and then it started. I talk to other people that own rams and they say they have the same problem. So I talked to the dealer and they said the only thing they can do is replace the Ignition. Which could cost more than $600. Now I would think being that this is quite a common thing that Chrysler would take care of the problem before somebody gets hurt or even killed from their vehicle shouting off and not knowing what to do. There are videos on YouTube on how to Terra park and clean the Ignition but I don't think that is a good idea.
Key fob will randomly come loose when driving causing all systems to shut down. Shuts down fuel, steering, and power brakes. Any amount of vibration or small bump can cause it to shut down.
The WIN Module for the ignition system on my truck is faulty. There has been several time where I'm driving down the highway and the vehicle just shuts off completely. This disables my power steering and brakes. So I either have to shift into neutral and try to start the engine while rolling with a trailer hooked on behind me with no road shoulders to pull off on or if shoulders on road pull off and try to restart the truck then again. There has also been times when I start the truck that the dash lights just flash or the truck starts for a second and then shuts off again on its own with the key still turned to run. The dealer said that this has been happening a lot on these trucks and there is no recall for it. In my opinion this is a major safety hazard for myself and others traveling on the road.
The ignition shuts off when you hit a slight bump or touch the key. This is even when driving! The truck shuts off and losses complete power, brakes, steering and lights! This is a huge problem after Googling this is happening on 2009- 2019 ram truck models. We have had near misses while pulling a horse trailer and 5th wheel! This should be a recall it's very dangerous! Checking dodge Chrysler is aware of this issue because the 2020 models have different win modules and fobs. HELP
While pulling a trailer, integrated trailer brake controller stopped working and disabled the trailer brakes. All trailer lights worked, just no brakes. Showed red warning in dash and "CF" on brake controller after failure. No warning before failure. Checked connections and tested with another trailer. Even with no trailer, warning is on and trailer brakes are not functional. Created hazard to driver and other motorists by spontaneous loss of brakes. Online forums indicate this is not an isolated incident. More recently, now the trailer running lights have failed. Brake and turn signal lights work, but no running lights. No police report of inspections. Not yet repaired. Available for inspection.
THE INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I PURCHASED A TRAILER AND IT HOOKED UP FINE. WORKED FINE TOWING UNTIL I DISCONNECTED THE TRAILER AND SEVEN PIN CONNECTOR. NOW THE CONTROLLER TELLS ME THERE IS NO TRAILER ON THE CONTROLLER AND THE DASH ALERTS. UPON PULLING THE TRAILER AGAIN THE CONTROLLER TELLS ME I'M NOT TOWING WHEN I AM. ??
AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 PM, I HEARD A VEHICLE HORN HONKING OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. GOT OUT OF BED TO INVESTIGATE. OBSERVED MY 2102 RAM 3500 DIESEL TRUCK WITH LIGHTS ON AND FLASHING AND HORN WAS HONKING. KEYS FOR TRUCK WERE IN THE HOUSE. WENT OUTSIDE WITH KEYS AND TRIED KEY-LESS ENTRY FOB TO OPEN THE CAB DOOR WITH NO SUCCESS. SMELLED SMOKE. OPENED DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WITH REGULAR KEY TO SEE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD ALL LIT UP. OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE LOTS OF SMOKE AND OBSERVED GLOWING WIRING HARNESS NEXT TO DRIVER'S SIDE BATTERY. HARNESS WAS GLOWING ORANGE ALL THE WAY FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE FUSE BOX (POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE) NEXT TO BATTERY. WENT INTO GARAGE TO GET WRENCHES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DISCONNECTED DRIVER SIDE BATTERY BUT THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS STILL GLOWING ORANGE AND SMOKING. NEXT, DISCONNECTED AUXILIARY BATTERY ON PASSENGER SIDE AND WIRING HARNESS STOPPED GLOWING AND BURNING. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, IN FRONT OF GARAGE, NEXT TO THE HOUSE. KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SPONTANEOUS THERMAL EVENT. VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 56,500 MILES AT TIME OF THERMAL EVENT. MASSIVE SHORT CIRCUIT APPEARS TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE FUSE BOX (POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE) UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING ALL WIRES LEADING OUT OF THE MODULE TO SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSING MASSIVE AND TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. REFERENCE NHTSA COMPLAINTS: 10926543 ' NOVEMBER 16, 2016 11084301 ' APRIL 10, 2018 11142816 ' OCTOBER 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF MISSOULA (5001 GRIZZLY CT, MISSOULA, MT 59808) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED IT HAPPENS WHEN TRUCK STOPS AND ALSO WHEN IT IS MOVING.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,386.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY/ROADS EVERY SO OFTEN THE TRUCK WOULD SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. BEEN DOING THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. LUCKILY I NEVER GOT INTO A WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. NOW THE TRUCK WON?T START AND IT HAPPENED AT HOME. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE TO BE BAD. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS I CAME UP ON A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME IGNITION SYSTEM ON OTHER DODGE?S AND WAS WONDERING WHY THE DODGE RAM WAS LEFT OUT. RECALL NUMBER R03/NHTSA 14V-373. *TR
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOWS MULTIPLE FAULT CODES. MECHANIC AND DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF CODES. REPLACED EVERY SENSOR AND COMPUTER 2 TIMES STILL HAS THE SAME CODES.
TRUCK SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AFTER COASTING WILL START ITSELF UP AGAIN. THROWS EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH ON INCLUDING TRAILER BRAKE MALFUNCTION BUT THROWS NO ECM CODES. I'M PRETTY SURE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE KEY FOB/STARTER RELAY RECOGNIZING THE KEY.
RADIO QUITS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DOESN'T MATTER IF MOVING OR STILL
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. I LOST POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ALL ELECTRICAL, AND ENGINE POWER. EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING AND WENT BLACK. LUCKILY I WAS NOT PULLING A TRAILER, HAVE TO STOP, OR TURN FAST. IF I WOULD HAVE, I WOULD HAVE CRASHED.*DT CONSUMER STATED FUEL PUMP FAILED AND IT HAD A BAD GROUND. ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. IT HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES. BACKUP CAMERA BLACKED OUT, REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON, LIGHTS AND BLINKERS FLICKER. *JB
WIN MODULES AND/OR IGNITION SWITCH RANDOMLY TURNS ENGINE OFF AND ALL ELECTRONICS INCLUDING TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLS. VEHICLE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. LOSS OF TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLS. I WAS DRIVING PULLING A 10,000LBS. TRAILER AND TRUCK WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING AROUND PEDESTRIANS, AND NO TRAFFIC, OR DRIVING INTO A CITY RUSH HOUR LIKE I USUALLY AM. NOW I DON'T PULL A TRAILER ANYMORE WITH THIS TRUCK BECAUSE I'M SCARED OF SMASHING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. A LOT OF PEOPLE USE THESE TRUCKS AS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND TOWING AND THIS NEEDS ADDRESSES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *DT*JB *DT*JB
I HAVE A 2012 RAM 3500 TRUCK AND THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY TO ENGAGE THE CONTACTS OF THE SWITCH. THE TRUCK HAS LOST ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SWITCH. RAM KNOWS OF THE ISSUE AND HAS A REPLACEMENT SWITCH THE ELIMINATES THE PHYSICAL CONTACTS IN THE SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT WEAR OUT OVER TIME. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW AND IT ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FROM A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE SWITCH. THANK YOU, [XXX]*DT*JB *DT*JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE AND BEGAN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH SMOKE, ALL WINDOWS WERE UP AT TIME OF FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RIP DOOR PANEL OFF TO PUT OUT FIRE. *DT*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAULING A TRAILER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (VALUE FORD & CHRYSLER, 205 STATE HWY 9, MORRIS, MN 56267, (800) 568-5431) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT VIN IS NOT VALID UPDATED 12/12/18*JB*JB
RECENTLY, ON OCTOBER 9TH, 2018, I WAS TRAVELLING ON HIGHWAY 20 IN WASHINGTON STATE ACROSS THE NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY. WHILE PULLING MY 27' TRAILER, MY TRUCK COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON BOTH OCCASIONS. I REACHED DOWN TO TURN THE KEY AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION. DURING MY TRIP, I REFUSED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE WIN MODULE. ON OCTOBER 23RD, WHILE RETURNING FROM THE TRIP, THE IGNITION DID NOT "ACT UP" ON ME. ON OCTOBER 25TH, I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND I WAS ACCELERATING OUT OF A ROUND-A-BOUT AND THE TRUCK COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AGAIN. KNOWING THAT THE IGNITION SEEMED SENSITIVE, I REACHED DOWN AND WIGGLED THE FOB AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. I HAD REACHED 35 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I MADE IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD THE WIN MODULE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $800, WHICH INCLUDED SOME SOFTWARE UPDATES AND AN ADDITIONAL FOB. IN TALKING WITH THE MECHANICS, JEFF AND GREG, THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS WIN MODULE AS THERE WERE ON OTHERS. HAVING YOUR IGNITION SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN A STEEP GRADE WHILE PULLING A TRAILER IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME AND MOST LIKELY OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THIS WIN MODULE IS RECALLED AND TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I'VE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE WIN MODULE THAT WAS FAILING. (XXXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING, THE HORN WAS BEEPING, AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE DOORS MANUALLY, OPEN THE HOOD, AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE COLLISION CENTER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAS BURNT. THE COLLISION CENTER REPLACED THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,928. *DT*JB
PICKUP ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. REQUIRES TURNING THE IGNITION TO RESTART. DOES WHEN DRIVING ON SMOOTH OR BUMPY ROADS.
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND TRUCK WILL LOOSE POWER. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT (AROUND 10-15 MILES PER HOUR). IT HAS OCCURRED AS MUCH AS 3 TIMES IN A 20 MILE COMMUTE. BUT USUALLY AT LEAST ONCE. THE TRUCK WILL ALMOST ROLL TO A STOP AND THEN "SNAP OUT OF IT." SOMETIMES IT LAST FOR AS LITTLE AS 3 SECONDS, SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 10 SECONDS. THIS STARTED A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH RAM TRUCKS.
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