2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Engine Problems

Driving my 2012 dodge ram 3500, just as I was crossing one of the busiest intersections in my town my truck lost all power and dropped from 35mph to 5 mph. Barley made it acrossed and pulled over. As soon as I pulled over the engine light comes on, checked code, and U010C lost coms with turbo actuator comes up. Turned truck off and rest code and everything back to normal. About a week later it happened again, luckily not as busy of a spot. Called dealer and soonest appointment was in April. Meanwhile I look up code and see hundreds of post for same issue, bad actuator replace. 28 years as a diesel mechanic for the military, so I found the part online and ordered. Replaced the actuator, drove about 50 miles, light comes back on. Finally get my appointment with dealer and they say my turbo is bad, they want $8k to fix. I ordered the turbo and replaced it myself along with another actuator, test drove. Light still comes on but have not lost power yet?? Dealer is not helping. This is a major issue that is all over the internet! The truck just goes to limp and your in the middle of traffic. If this has not caused an accident it’s only a matter of time before it does. The dealer ship just wants to replace big parts for lots of money. I’m already $2500 into this and still having an issue

NHTSA ID

11734962

Incident

Nov 28, 2025

This truck has had to have several high temp burnoffs because of failures in the EGR and Carbon build up. The recent recall for Rams does not cover the 2012, and began at 2013, however, we are experiencing the same exact issues with the same type of system. In addition, we have had repeated airbag issues due to the positioning of the cockspring and wiring getting choked out.

NHTSA ID

11688894

Incident

Sep 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while that while the vehicle was in for service, the independent mechanic discovered fuel leaking from the fuel filter heater assembly. The contact was advised that the fuel filter heater assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 202,000.

NHTSA ID

11647551

Incident

Mar 6, 2025

Mileage

202,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11644035

Incident

Feb 13, 2025

Break down of high pressure fuel pump causing lose of power and complete replacement of the fuel system

NHTSA ID

11437462

Incident

Oct 10, 2021

WATER PUMP FAILURE, VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A CONCENTRIC WATER PUMP WITH NO WEEPHOLE. SAME CONCERN AS T51 WATER PUMP RECALL AFFECTING 2013-2017 RAM TRUCKS WITH 6.7 DIESEL ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE BUILT 12/2012 BUT IS CONSIDERED A 2012 NOT A 2013. CURRENT RECALL APPLIES TO 2013 MODELS BUILT AFTER OCT 24TH 2012.

NHTSA ID

11382873

Incident

Dec 6, 2020

Mileage

87,196 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11374635

Incident

Oct 29, 2020

Mileage

56,500 mi

SOMETHING IN TRANSMISSION (68RFE) FAILED AND DUMPS FLUID OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK TUBE ONTO THE TURBO WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN THE TOWN I LIVED.

NHTSA ID

11361986

Incident

Sep 12, 2020

Mileage

73,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIFFIN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1121 S MAIN ST, JEFFERSON, WI 53549) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WATER PUMP BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.*LN*JB *JS*DT CONSUMER STATED ENGINE AND WATER PUMP BOTH SUBJECT TO A RECALL BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB

NHTSA ID

11341830

Incident

Jul 22, 2020

Mileage

37,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11339531

Incident

Jul 14, 2020

Mileage

110,386 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11229351

Incident

Jul 3, 2012

Mileage

156,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11194665

Incident

Apr 5, 2019

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH NO SOLUTION FROM CENTRAL JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM OF RAYNHAM (191 US-44, RAYNHAM, MA 02767, (508) 823-0101) AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V344000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 13 TSBS FOR THE ENGINE AND 1 TSB FOR THE POWER TRAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11075506

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

THE 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 6.7 DIESEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY STOP RUNNING. THE GAUGES WILL ALL GO DEAD, THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING AND WILL NOT START UP AGAIN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOPPED, PUT IN PARK AND KEY TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, WITH OR WITHOUT A LOAD, PULLING A TRAILER OR RUNNING EMPTY. ONCE IT HAS STARTED BACK UP, IT MAY RUN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS OR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE IT DOES IT AGAIN. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE OR WEATHER BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED IN HOT AND COOL WEATHER AND WET AND DRY CONDITIONS. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. ROAD SURFACE DOES NOT SEEM TO CREATE THE CONDITION FOR THE PROBLEM TO HAPPEN EITHER BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SMOOTH SURFACES WHEN IT HAPPENED AND ON DIRT ROADS HAPPENED, ALWAYS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM OR IS THIS TRUCK JUST AN ODDITY?

NHTSA ID

11015686

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

Mileage

124,000 mi

SCR CATALYST SYSTEM, ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR IT, EVERY OTHER RTUCK WITH THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ALREADY

NHTSA ID

11013906

Incident

Aug 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10885608

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 15V459000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10811069

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOOSES ALL POWER,PRESS ON THE ACCELATOR AND NOTHING AND AFTER ABOUT 6 SECONDS IT'S BACK TO NORMAL,,THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ON CITY STREETS...I CALLED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND FOR ME TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER AND TELL THEM ABOUT IT,I TOOK IT IN TODAY AND THEY CHECKED FOR TROUBLE CODES AND SAID THERE WERE NONE AND NO RECALLS WERE ON THE TRUCK FOR THAT PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT...THE TRUCK IS A DIESEL AND ONLY HAS 32000 MILES...AND HAS NO WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

10788785

Incident

Nov 2, 2015

Mileage

32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM) AND A5V459000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10788025

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY DETAILS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS INFORMATION DID NOT MATCH. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE EMISSIONS O2 SENSORS FAILED. THE 02 SENSOR WAS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ID

10780448

Incident

Sep 10, 2013

Mileage

4,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE DELAY IN SCHEDULING THE RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENTS FOR THE THREE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V459000, (AIR BAGS), 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL), AND 13V529000 (STEERING). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10780184

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH, THE ENGINE AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS FLUCTUATED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID

10777756

Incident

Nov 25, 2013

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10775432

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V529000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10747416

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/8 UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10730111

Incident

Oct 8, 2014