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2012 Dodge RAM 4500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 2012 Dodge RAM 4500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-824 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls9Lowest repair rate 44%Owner complaints100 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage30kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 27, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Dodge RAM 4500 has problems

10 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
Steering50
Power train50
Fuel system, diesel20
Engine and engine cooling20
Electrical system10
Wheels10
Service brakes10
Suspension10

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

9 recalls

2012 Dodge RAM 4500 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 5 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 →

66%repaired · 2016 Q3

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 13V-527 · Nov 6, 2013 · 36,151 vehicles · 23,803 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 →

61%repaired · 2015 Q3

Power train: axle assembly

Recall 13V-239 · Jun 4, 2013 · 5,622 vehicles · 3,436 repaired

Risk. Damage to other components, or sudden loss of drive power 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.

Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other RAM 4500 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 4500 median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2012 Dodge RAM 4500, and the recalls they led to.

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

What RAM 4500 owners report

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

LEFT OUTER TIE ROD BROKE!!! LUCKILY ONLY MAKING A U TURN WHEN IT HAPPENED. RECALL IS ABOUT A YEAR OLD AND STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE BUT CHRYSLER WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AND HAVE THE DEALER INSTALL FACTORY PART THAT COULD BREAK AGAIN BUT AT LEAST IT WILL GET YOU BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN AND MAYBE IT…
Complaint 10678938 · Jan 26, 2015 · 77,953 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED…
Complaint 10662968 · Dec 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V527000 (STEERING) AND 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY SINCE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE…
Complaint 10566035 · Feb 26, 2014

Own a 2012 RAM 4500?

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