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2012 Dodge RAM 5500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 2012 Dodge RAM 5500, 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 complaints404 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage35kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 11, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Dodge RAM 5500 has problems

40 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
Steering210
Power train90
Electrical system74
Engine31
Fuel/propulsion system21
Suspension20
Air bags20
Structure20
Engine and engine cooling10
1 other systems10

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

9 recalls

2012 Dodge RAM 5500 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 5500 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 5500 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 5500, and the recalls they led to.

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

What RAM 5500 owners report

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

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…
Complaint 11021970 · Sep 11, 2017
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…
Complaint 10898510 · Aug 25, 2016
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…
Complaint 10819431 · Jan 11, 2016 · 91,386 miles

Own a 2012 RAM 5500?

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