Menu

2012 Dodge RAM 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 366 owner complaints about the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-824 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.

2012 Dodge RAM 3500
30
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.3× the RAM 3500 median · #1 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Lowest repair rate 44%Owner complaints36614 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage26kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 has problems

366 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering2222
Electrical system455
Suspension360
Engine351
Fuel/propulsion system290
Power train280
Wheels151
Air bags152
Service brakes141
10 other systems515

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

2012 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

44%repaired · 2019 Q2

Equipment

Recall 17V-824 · Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles · 27,012 repaired

Risk. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2019 Q4

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 17V-821 · Dec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles · 860,137 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

63%repaired · 2018 Q2

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 16V-739 · Oct 13, 2016 · 74,811 vehicles · 47,157 repaired

Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
75%repaired · 2016 Q4

Air bags: frontal

Recall 15V-459 · Jul 22, 2015 · 1,059,444 vehicles · 789,522 repaired

Risk. This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

71%repaired · 2016 Q3

Engine: diesel

Recall 14V-635 · Oct 8, 2014 · 315,325 vehicles · 223,744 repaired

Risk. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2015 Q1

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 13V-529 · Nov 6, 2013 · 271,733 vehicles · 153,429 repaired

Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

85%repaired · 2015 Q1

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 13V-344 · Aug 6, 2013 · 85 vehicles · 72 repaired

Risk. An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do steering problems start?

26kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 72 steering complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 45% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
36under 30k miles63under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other RAM 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 3500 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Electrical overstressEA19001 · closed Sep 19, 2024
    Led to recall 20V-024
In owners' words

What RAM 3500 owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11730792 · Apr 13, 2026 · 151,000 miles
While driving, the vehicle will, if going over a bump, begin shaking uncontrollably, and render the driver helpless to remain in control of steering other than to slam on the brakes and hope another vehicle does not hit them. Vehicle ceases shaking when brought down to a slow rate of speed and then…
Complaint 11519872 · May 1, 2023
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…
Complaint 11323833 · May 8, 2020 · 161,000 miles

Own a 2012 RAM 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.