2012 DODGE RAM 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
498
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
23
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500
The 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 has received a total of 498 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 12 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS. 23 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (219 complaints), Electrical System (43 complaints), and Engine (34 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has recorded 12 recalls for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500, potentially affecting up to 4,925,688 vehicles.
Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign...
View full details →Recall 17V821000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
| 1,482,874 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle...
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this...
View full details →Recall 17V824000 — EQUIPMENT
| 61,791 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may...
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or...
View full details →Recall 16V739000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
| 74,811 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
View full details →Recall 16E041000 — EQUIPMENT
| 345 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling aftermarket Mopar Canvas Seat Covers for certain 2012-2016 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags.
Consequence: If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.
View full details →Recall 15V459000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 1,059,444 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Consequence: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The...
View full details →Recall 14V635000 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
| 315,325 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to...
View full details →Recall 14V635000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
| 315,325 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to...
View full details →Recall 13V529000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
| 271,733 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated...
View full details →Recall 13V344000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 85 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the...
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500
498 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
Drivers side rear wheel broke loose from hub and bounced into the opposing lane of traffic.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 23 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
55134 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Latch- Front Door
9003585 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Intake Grid Heater, Grid Heater Relay 2012 - 2016 6.7L Cummins engines with Intake Heater issues or DTC P2609 and P0542, please replace the Intake Heater Grid and Relay as a set. 68210071A$ (heater grid) and 05187880A$ (relay). Inspect electrical cable between the heater grid and relay for signs of...
0900416 REV A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
This bulletin involves replacing the engine assembly.
18-097-15 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Flash: 5.7L Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with updated software. During normal diagnostics a technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module (BCM) and when attempting to clear from the PCM with a Scan...
0808614a — EQUIPMENT
RBZ Or RHB Radio Software Enhancements
25-002-14 — ENGINE
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
18-016-14 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel Common Diagnostic Process New 6.7L Cummins®Turbo Diesel Common Diagnostic Process is now available as part of the standard diagnostic process located in TechCONNECT>Service Info.
9002228 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Part Description: Rear Window Glass Assembly Issue Description: ISSUE 1: [P/N 55277406AA]~ It is not necessary to replace the entire rear power window glass assembly when the rubber channel on top of sliding glass is falling out. Order only the replacement rubber channel (P/N 68080080AA) or the plastic slider (P/N...
D-13-45 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
08-070-13REV.A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
Showing 10 of 23 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 DODGE RAM 3500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 3500
- 2007 DODGE RAM 3500 — 284 complaints
- 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 — 221 complaints
- 2009 DODGE RAM 3500 — 130 complaints
- 2011 DODGE RAM 3500 — 292 complaints
- 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 (current)
- 2014 DODGE RAM 3500 — 0 complaints
- 2015 DODGE RAM 3500 — 0 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints