RoadVitals

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
365
Latest Apr 30, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

222
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel was loose. The contact pulled over and discovered that the steering shaft had detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who repaired the steering shaft. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ID 11730792 · filed Apr 13, 2026

Driving vehicle and lost the ability to steer. The inner drag link tie rod broke at pitman arm.

NHTSA ID 11630408 · filed Dec 12, 2024
All 222 reports naming steering

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

45
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 20, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 11605941 · filed Aug 1, 2024
All 45 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

43
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 30, 2026

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 · filed Sep 22, 2025
All 43 reports naming engine

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

39
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 30, 2026

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 · filed Sep 22, 2025
All 39 reports naming fuel system

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

36
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was parked; however, upon inspection, the contact became aware that there were damages on top of the front driver’s side ball joint, the rear driver’s side axle leaf spring shackle, and the driver’s side overload spring. Additionally, there were metal fragments found in the engine oil, and a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0087, P0471, U029D. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.

NHTSA ID 11642736 · filed Feb 14, 2025

ALL 4 BALL JOINTS HAVE REQUIRED REPLACING WITHIN THE FIRST 4 YEARS OF THE LIFE OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID 11053354 · filed Dec 7, 2017
All 36 reports naming suspension

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 30, 2026

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 · filed Feb 20, 2025
All 28 reports naming powertrain (other)

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11420194 · filed Jun 8, 2021

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. ??

NHTSA ID 11388248 · filed Jan 14, 2021
All 16 reports naming brakes

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 22, 2025

2 days ago my vehicle was in a wreck. A car T-bone the truck on the passenger side, causing the axle to break and the wheel to deflate. The airbag did not deploy during this accident, even though the car was rammed into a pole. Causing Slight injury to the driver.

NHTSA ID 11532156 · filed Jul 13, 2023
All 15 reports naming airbags

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Drivers side rear wheel broke loose from hub and bounced into the opposing lane of traffic.

NHTSA ID 11687970 · filed Sep 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after driving at an undisclosed speed, he stopped at the gas station and went inside to pay for fuel; however, when the contact returned to the vehicle, he became aware that the rear passenger’s side wheel was missing five studs. The contact stated that he was able to safely drive the vehicle to the dealer, where the wheel was inspected and the dealer was able to diagnose the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there was a previous safety recall for the vehicle, but when the vehicle was taken for the recall repair, the recall repair was not completed; the wheels were only inspected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact stated that the manufacturer originally approved completing the repair as a recall repair and then declined the approval. The failure mileage was approximately 307,000.

NHTSA ID 11536453 · filed Aug 4, 2023
All 14 reports naming other / unspecified

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11420194 · filed Jun 8, 2021

I WAS TOLD BODY CONTROL MODULE IN DRIVERS DOOR WAS BAD AND DODGE IS BACK ORDERED ON PARTS.SO I AM HAVING TO DEAL WITH PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 11172850 · filed Jan 29, 2019
All 10 reports naming exterior lighting

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 1 MPH, the front driver’s tie rod fractured and put a whole in the aluminum wheel. The contact who works as an independent mechanic completed the repair. The contact stated that a recall repair for the driver’s side outer tie rod had been completed in July 2019. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ID 11541274 · filed Aug 28, 2023

THE SPARE TIRE HEAT SHIELD BROKE FROM STRESS POSING A RISK OF FALLING OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS POSES A RISK OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AS WELL AS A RISK OF BECOMING HAZARDOUS DEBRIS TO OTHER DRIVERS. BECOMING HAZARDOUS DEBRIS COULD RESULT IN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND WHILE CONDUCTING A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID 10895765 · filed Aug 14, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500 equipped with Duraturn Tires, Tire Line: Travia A/T, Tire Size: 235/85/R17, DOT Number: DOTUFPPFLB1117. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the two front tires made abnormal sounds. The contact stopped and inspected the tire and became aware that the treads on both tires had separated. The contact stated that he purchased the tires from Pro Puller and contacted the store and made them aware of the failure. The contact stated that he was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint because there had been several failures reported regarding the tires. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,500.

NHTSA ID 11533323 · filed Jul 19, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND TOWING A 2017 WOOD DECK TRAILER FMCW-11000-20S, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FLOORBOARD. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE SEPARATED AND BLEW UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS HUBCAP FELL OFF. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVE SHAFT WERE GONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING CITY CHRYSLER CENTER (1603 BROADWAY ST, MT VERNON, IL 62864 (618) 242-6600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED, THE AXLE WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE, ENTIRE FRONT AXLE, FUEL LINES, TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, SHIFT CABLE, AND TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,900.

NHTSA ID 11023296 · filed Sep 13, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11165679 · filed Jan 3, 2019

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 · filed Sep 25, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS TOLD BODY CONTROL MODULE IN DRIVERS DOOR WAS BAD AND DODGE IS BACK ORDERED ON PARTS.SO I AM HAVING TO DEAL WITH PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 11172850 · filed Jan 29, 2019

PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT NOT RUNNING. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING INCLUDING DASH LIGHTING WENT OUT ALONG WITH EXHAUST BREAK, TOW HAUL, CARGO LIGHT. CRUISE CONTROL. AND HORN. UPON TAKING TO DEALER THEY SAID THE TIPM HAS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED AT A INSTALLED COST OF $1156.90

NHTSA ID 11003742 · filed Jul 7, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .