2012 Dodge Ram 5500 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle started making noise coming from the engine compartment. The smoke originates from the engine compartment and the exhaust pipe in the rear of the vehicle and when the accelerator was depressed the vehicle did not accelerate. Additionally, the check engine safety warning light became illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle veered to the side of the road where the vehicle was turned off but the engine continued to run. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the Engine, Intake system, and Exhaust needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified, The failure mileage was 73,031.

NHTSA ID

11516561

Incident

Mar 21, 2023

Mileage

73,031 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 5500. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED IN THE REAR ON BOTH SIDES NEAR THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WICKSTROM CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 660 W NORTHWEST HWY, BARRINGTON, IL 60010, (847) 382-5400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND SENT IT TO THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A WELDING SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 58372436. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ID

11220183

Incident

Apr 6, 2019

Mileage

27,000 mi

FRAME ON TRUCK HAS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES JUST BEFORE THE REAR WHEELS.

NHTSA ID

11204115

Incident

Mar 20, 2019

Mileage

26,850 mi

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY! THE SWITCH MUST BE MOVED AROUND IN THE SWITCH TO START THE TRUCK. ADDITIONALLY WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK MAY JUST QUITE RUNNING, THIS CAUSES THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO BECOME MANUAL. THIS BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS WHEN HAULING LOADS AS STOPPING DISTANCES ARE GREATLY INCREASED, NOT TO MENTION NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. IF YOU ARE GOING AROUND A CORNER WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU MAY NOT MAKE THE CORNER RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES. THIS IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IS COMMON IN THIS YEAR OF RAM TRUCK IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF YOUR DRIVING OR SETTING AT A LIGHT THE TRUCK QUITS RUNNING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART WITHOUT REPLACING OR REPAIRING THE SWITCH. SO FAR FIAT CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE DESIGN, IT APPEARS THEY ARE HAPPY COLLECTING THE $300 + DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH JUST TO HAVE THEM GO OUT AGAIN IN LESS THAN A YEAR. JUST LOOK AT THE INTERNET, MANY ISSUES. THIS IS DEFIANTLY A SAFTY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11163746

Incident

Dec 12, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

2012 DODGE RAM 5500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFICIENT WELDS ON THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AS DIRECTED BY THE NOTICE, BUT DID NOT FULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE STILL SERIOUS CRACKS IN THE AXLE AND FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10689351

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

2012 DODGE 5500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND CLOCKSPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUES AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WERE INOPERABLE. THIS INCLUDES THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. UPDATED 09/11/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

11021970

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 5500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,025.

NHTSA ID

10984734

Incident

Dec 31, 2016

Mileage

78,025 mi

HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRUCK WANDERING ALL OVER ROAD AT SPEEDS OVER 40-45-MPH FROM WHEN TRUCK WAS NEW... MANY TIMES I TRIED TO GET TRUCK IN AFTER RECALL NOTICES AND DID NOT HAVE PARTS. NOT RESOLVED TO THIS DATE. NOW NEW PROBLEM I HAVE IS STEERING IS VERY TIGHT AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER TURNING AND IS A MAJOR DANGER. TRUCK WAS JUST IN DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM AND FIXED ONE RECALL WHICH WAS TO REPLACE STEERING LINKAGE THAT WAS DONE BUT DID NOTHING NOTHING TO FIX MY HARD STEERING AND NOT RETURNING TO CENTER STEERING PROBLEM .I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A WEEK FOR A CALL BACK FROM DODGE CUSTOMER CAR NOW. THERE IS STILL A RECALL ON FRONT AXLE WELDS THAT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE OF LACK OF PARTS THAT I HAVE TRIED TO TAKE CARE OF ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ?

NHTSA ID

10898510

Incident

Aug 25, 2016

WHEN DRIVING THE MAGNETIC KEY IGNITION MODULE WAS SHORTING OUT. THIS CAUSED THE TRUCK TO LOOSE THE MAJORITY OF DRIVERS CONTROL AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THEN THE KEY WOULD MAKE CONTACT AND RESTART THE MOTOR CAUSING CONVULSIONS IN RUNNING. THIS OPERATING CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED A SEMI TRUCK TO REAR END MY TRUCK. FOUR DAYS AFTER REPLACING THE $800 IGNITION SYSTEM, WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FLEX PLATE & STARTER DUE TO THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE FROM THE MOTOR RESTARTING UNDER HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT DESTROYED THE FLEX PLATE BACKED THE FLEX PLATE BOLTS OUT AND DEFORMED THE BOLT HOLES IN THE BACK OF THE CRANK.

NHTSA ID

10821759

Incident

Jan 14, 2016

Mileage

76,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED DUE TO THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD BALL DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V527000 (STEERING) AND 15V459000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,386.

NHTSA ID

10819431

Incident

Jan 8, 2016

Mileage

91,386 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TIE ROD SEPARATED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V527000 (STEERING), 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 MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10789383

Incident

Nov 6, 2015

Mileage

59,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE QUALIFIES FOR THE BUY BACK PROGRAM BUT FCA IS ONLY OFFERING A TRADE-IN VALUE PLUS 10% OF THAT VALUE. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND THEY ARE ONLY OFFERING TO PURCHASE IT FOR $11,000 AS A BUY BACK AMOUNT. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW FOR $51,000 AND I DON'T NOT SEE HOW A $40,000 REDUCTION FOR DEPRECIATION IS ACCEPTABLE OR REASONABLE. I FEEL THEY ARE TRYING TO RIP ME OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I COULD SELL THIS TRUCK ON THE OPEN MARKET FOR SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $23,000 AND $32,000 AND I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SLAP IN THE FACE.

NHTSA ID

10788931

Incident

Oct 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V459000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10783738

Incident

Feb 10, 2014

ON OCTOBER 1 2015 AT 6:45 IN THE MORNING OUR RAM 5500 WAS BACKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE AND OPENED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE. HE USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED. I CONTACTED DODGE AND WASN'T INFORMED THAT I WOULD HEAR FROM AN INVESTIGATOR FROM DODGE THAT WAS GOING TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK. I WAS TOLD THEY WANTED TO INVESTIGATE WHY THE FIRE HAPPENED. AFTER MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS PLACED TO DODGE I WAS GETTING NO ANSWERS. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR BACK IN 24 TO 48 HOURS. I DID NOT HEAR BACK AT ALL IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS. I THEN GOT THE TRUCK FIXED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I OPERATE A SMALL BUSINESS AND HAD TO HAVE THIS TRUCK RUNNING. THE AUTO SHOP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AS THAT WAS BURNT AND APPEARED TO BE THE PROBLEM. I'VE STILL YET TO HEAR FROM DODGE ON THEIR RESPONSE. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES. ON AN ADDITIONAL NOTE IT QUALIFIED FOR THE FEDERALLY MANDATED BUY BACK, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONSIVE TO PHONE CALLS CONCERNING THAT AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

10780648

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

28,000 mi

ON THE EVENING OF JULY 30, 2015 WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 DODGE RAM 5500 UTILITY TRUCK, THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH I BELIEVE WAS DUE TO RECALL P65. THIS RECALL IS FOR THE DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIPS MULTIPLE TIMES FOR REPAIR, YET I WAS TOLD THAT NO PART WAS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM RECALL. THIS TRUCK WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ID

10748608

Incident

Jul 30, 2015

Mileage

164,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE 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.

NHTSA ID

10717177

Incident

May 20, 2013

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

NHTSA ID

10712787

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNSTABLE AND SPUN AROUND UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,844.

NHTSA ID

10667087

Incident

Dec 13, 2014

Mileage

32,844 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FRACTURED. THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL, BUT THE REMEDY WAS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID

10638678

Incident

Aug 14, 2014

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ADAPTER THAT SECURED THE AXLE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AXLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REMEDY WAS INADEQUATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. ....UPDATED 09-03-14 *BF

NHTSA ID

10622204

Incident

Jun 20, 2014

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V527000 (STEERING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10597101

Incident

Oct 17, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) HAD SURPASSED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10587257

Incident

Nov 6, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE DEALER WAS RECEIVING ONE PART EVERY WEEK. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2013, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REMEDY AVAILABLE BEFORE MARCH OF 2014. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10574882

Incident

Mar 26, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A DODGE 2012 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE BEFORE BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45743.

NHTSA ID

10573724

Incident

Mar 14, 2014

Mileage

45,743 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPROACHING AN EXIT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEGAN WOBBLING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS EXPOSED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD, AXLE AND BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED TO THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL SERVICE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36784.

NHTSA ID

10573715

Incident

Nov 1, 2013

Mileage

36,784 mi