28 of the
502 complaints about the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 are about the
transmission — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
73,000 miles.
A
28
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Power Train
2796.4%
Axle Assembly
13.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge RAM 3500 year
Driving my 2012 dodge ram 3500, just as I was crossing one of the busiest intersections in my town my truck lost all power and dropped from 35mph to 5 mph. Barley made it acrossed and pulled over. As soon as I pulled over the engine light comes on, checked code, and U010C lost coms with turbo actuator comes up. Turned truck off and rest code and everything back to normal. About a week later it happened again, luckily not as busy of a spot. Called dealer and soonest appointment was in April. Meanwhile I look up code and see hundreds of post for same issue, bad actuator replace. 28 years as a diesel mechanic for the military, so I found the part online and ordered. Replaced the actuator, drove about 50 miles, light comes back on. Finally get my appointment with dealer and they say my turbo is bad, they want $8k to fix. I ordered the turbo and replaced it myself along with another actuator, test drove. Light still comes on but have not lost power yet?? Dealer is not helping. This is a major issue that is all over the internet! The truck just goes to limp and your in the middle of traffic. If this has not caused an accident it’s only a matter of time before it does. The dealer ship just wants to replace big parts for lots of money. I’m already $2500 into this and still having an issue
NHTSA complaint #11734962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tillamook, OR
POWER TRAIN
The wireless ignition module loses connection internally and the truck will lose power while driving. It usually happens when hitting a small bump and the key in the ignition moves. Truck loses electrical power which shuts the engine off which means loss of power steering and brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11644035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesWhitwell, TN
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was parked; however, upon inspection, the contact became aware that there were damages on top of the front driver’s side ball joint, the rear driver’s side axle leaf spring shackle, and the driver’s side overload spring. Additionally, there were metal fragments found in the engine oil, and a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0087, P0471, U029D. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
NHTSA complaint #11642736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uvalda, GA
POWER TRAIN
Valve body issue
NHTSA complaint #11589949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesFairdale, KY
POWER TRAIN
THE INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I PURCHASED A TRAILER AND IT HOOKED UP FINE. WORKED FINE TOWING UNTIL I DISCONNECTED THE TRAILER AND SEVEN PIN CONNECTOR. NOW THE CONTROLLER TELLS ME THERE IS NO TRAILER ON THE CONTROLLER AND THE DASH ALERTS. UPON PULLING THE TRAILER AGAIN THE CONTROLLER TELLS ME I'M NOT TOWING WHEN I AM. ??
NHTSA complaint #11388248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSanford, ME
POWER TRAIN
SOMETHING IN TRANSMISSION (68RFE) FAILED AND DUMPS FLUID OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK TUBE ONTO THE TURBO WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN THE TOWN I LIVED.
NHTSA complaint #11361986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,000 milesCaddo Mills, TX
POWER TRAIN
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 IGNITION NODE TO BE BAD. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS I CAME UP ON A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME IGNITION SYSTEM ON OTHER DODGE?S AND WAS WONDERING WHY THE DODGE RAM WAS LEFT OUT. RECALL NUMBER R03/NHTSA 14V-373.
NHTSA complaint #11323833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,000 milesSLC, UT
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOWS MULTIPLE FAULT CODES. MECHANIC AND DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF CODES. REPLACED EVERY SENSOR AND COMPUTER 2 TIMES STILL HAS THE SAME CODES.
NHTSA complaint #11292153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesWatkinsville, GA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE SHATTERED AND WAS ON THE GROUND. ALSO, THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVESHAFTS WERE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #11270677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesSeeley Lake, MT
POWER TRAIN
DIFFERENTIAL OUT, 54,000 MILES, EITHER FAULTY WORKMANSHIP OR FAULTY PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #11181617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesMillsap, TX
POWER TRAIN
REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED A SECOND TIME, 9000 MILES AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. A PINION BO
NHTSA complaint #11078428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Halifax, MA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH NO SOLUTION FROM CENTRAL JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM OF RAYNHAM (191 US-44, RAYNHAM, MA 02767, (508) 823-0101) AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AND 13V344000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 13 TSBS FOR THE ENGINE AND 1 TSB FOR THE POWER TRAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11075506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL), 15V459000 (AIR BAGS), AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BERGERON AUTO - CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 3525 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70002, (504) 888-2131) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL), 15V459000 (AIR BAGS), AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN).
NHTSA complaint #11074048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesEugene, OR
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL I INCURRED LOSE OF POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS. IT GAVE A SMALL SHAKE AND I LOST POWER CAUSING MY RPM TO RAISE. PULLED THE TRUCK OVER ONTO SIDE OF ROAD AND CHECKED FOR ANY POSSIBLE LEAKS OR DAMAGE AND NOTICE NONE. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK AGAIN I ONLY HAD FIRST GEAR. THERE IS A RECALL BY DODGE REFERENCED AS THE N50 AND DODGE IS TELLING ME THIS DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY PICKUP HOWEVER, THE SYMPTOMS IN MY TRUCK ARE THE SAME AS THE N50 RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11071819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,941 milesMonticello, MN
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF BILLINGS, 2229 KING AVE W, BILLINGS, MT 59102) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,941.
NHTSA complaint #11067276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,900 milesLake Forest, IL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND TOWING A 2017 WOOD DECK TRAILER FMCW-11000-20S, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FLOORBOARD. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE SEPARATED AND BLEW UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS HUBCAP FELL OFF. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVE SHAFT WERE GONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING CITY CHRYSLER CENTER (1603 BROADWAY ST, MT VERNON, IL 62864 (618) 242-6600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED, THE AXLE WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE, ENTIRE FRONT AXLE, FUEL LINES, TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, SHIFT CABLE, AND TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,900.
NHTSA complaint #11023296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponca City, OK
POWER TRAIN
SCR CATALYST SYSTEM, ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR IT, EVERY OTHER RTUCK WITH THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ALREADY
NHTSA complaint #11013906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesHouston, TX
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.
NHTSA complaint #10882544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesLexington, TX
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE REAR END VIBRATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT END WAS VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNDER THE MANIFOLD INTAKE THAT THERE WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10749770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesPahrump, NV
POWER TRAIN
THE 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS AS I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER, ONTO A ROAD I WAS TURNING ONTO. I PUSHED ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PEDAL WAS DEAD !!! AFTER 2-3 SECONDS OF HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN, THE ENGINE CAME TO LIFE AND SPED UP. SENSE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT, GOING AROUND CORNERS AND CURVES. IT HAPPENS AFTER LEAVING OFF THE THROTTLE, BEFORE PASSING, THEN A DEAD PEDAL TRYING TO SPEED UP TO PASS. THIS IS SPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM PULLING MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER AND NEED THE POWER TO HELP CONTROL THE TRUCK AND TRAILER !! HAVING THE CRUSE CONTROL ON OR OFF SEEMS NOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AFTER PRESSING AND GETTING A DEAD THROTTLE, THE POWER COMES BACK, AFTER HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN FOR A FEW TO SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BY A POSSIBLE REAR-END ACCIDENT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD THIS HAPPEN ON A 2000 FORD 250 DIESEL AND THE THROTTLE PEDAL WAS REPLACED AND IT SOLVED THE DEAD PEDAL SITUATION. I'M FRIGHTENED OF GET STRANDED IN THE MOUNTAINS OR IN THE DESERT AS I TRAVEL ACROSS THE USA, WHERE I CAN'T GET CELL PHONE RECEPTION FOR HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10747643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesRemington, VA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, WHEN HE PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE. UPDATED 09/16/15
NHTSA complaint #10734242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,200 milesMountain Grove, MO
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING BAR FRACTURED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200.
NHTSA complaint #10734229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,800 milesCanal Winchester, OH
POWER TRAIN
TURNED KEY ON, PUT GEAR SELECTOR INTO N POSITION. ALLOWED TRUCK TO ROLL FORWARD, DOWNHILL 12". TRIED TO PUT INTO PARK AND IT CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD STARTED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT AS IT STARTED TO ROLL. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO PUT IT INTO PARK BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT METHODS, I.E. ENGINE RUNNING, NOT RUNNING, REVERSED PRIOR STEPS ETC. REPAIR SHOP SAID SOMETHING IS BROKEN INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY STATED IT WILL HAVE TO BE TORN APART TO FIND THE PROBLEM, MOST LIKELY A COMPLETE REBUILD? WE JUST GOT BACK FROM A VACATION HAULING A 38' 17,000# 5TH WHEEL RV. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HILLS AT SENICA LAKE OHIO CAMPGROUND? MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED! AT A BEAR MINIMUM THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING POSTED TO SET EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE PUTTING INTO PARK, EVERY SINGLE TIME!
NHTSA complaint #10730440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesLake Stevens, WA
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING TRUCK, THROTTLE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LIGHTENING BOLT COMES UP. CAR THEN LOSES ALL POWER AND IT DIES. NO NOTICE. VERY SCARY. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATALITY ACCIDENT SINCE THERE IS NO NOTICE AND IT JUST GOES FROM 60 - 0. DEALER HAS HAD THE TRUCK IN HALF A DOZEN TIMES AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE. CHRYSLER HAS GIVEN ME CASE MANAGER, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. THEY HAVE TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT IT IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. NOW DEALER SAYS THEY DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10724482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesSalt Lake City, UT
POWER TRAIN
MY DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 80 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN HE STARTED TO NOTICE A VIBRATION FROM THE TRUCK THAT WAS SHAKING THE MIRRORS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH A LARGE BANG WAS HEARD FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS LIFTED OFF OF THE PAVEMENT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TURNED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS WHEN IT CAME BACK DOWN INTO CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH! THANKFULLY MY DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT BUT WHEN HE PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY BRING IT TO A STOP. PARTS FROM THE TRUCK HAD BEEN STREWN DOWN THE INTERSTATE OVER APPROXIMATELY 200 YDS. THERE WAS A VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND MY DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT BUT LUCKILY THEY WERE FAR ENOUGH BEHIND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTIONS TO AVOID ANY FLYING DEBRIS. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR AFTER INCIDENT ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED THOUGH I WOULD ATTRIBUTE THIS TO THE ALERT AND RESPONSIVE DRIVING OF BOTH MY DRIVER AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND HIM. HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND OR TO THE SIDE OF HIM THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES OR DEATH. THIS VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DODGE RAM DEALER WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS THE PART THAT FAILED. WE WERE INFORMED BY DEALER PERSONNEL THAT THIS DRIVE SHAFT HAS A JOINT THAT IS NON-SERVICEABLE NOR EASILY INSPECTED AND THAT THIS WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. OTHER PARTS THAT WERE EFFECTED WERE THE TRANSFER CASE (THE CASE WAS BROKEN IN TWO PIECES AND THE INTERNALS WERE BLOWN OUT), TRANSMISSION CRACKED BEYOND REPAIR, BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN SEVERED, FUEL LINES HAD BEEN SEVERED AND A HOLE WAS PUNCHED THROUGH THE CAB BOTTOM INTO THE PASSENGER AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10652823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keno, OR
POWER TRAIN
2012 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIE ROD ASSEMBLY RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE TIMES, WHERE HE COULDN'T OBTAIN A SPEED GREATER THAN 40 MPH. ALSO, HE WAS EXPERIENCING POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
NHTSA complaint #10632859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,950 milesRichland, WA
POWER TRAIN
TRAVELING CLOSE TO MAX LEGAL HIGHWAY SPEED FOR THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING ON. FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW AND WAS TRAVELING ON THE RIMS (SPARKS AND SOUNDS AND RESPONSIVENESS ON VEHICLE). PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVELINE GOING INTO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD SEPARATED. IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE TRANSFER CASE IN THE REAR. THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT OF DRIVE SHAFT WAS CHERRY RED. BEARING RACE WAS FOUND ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD STARTED A SMALL FIRE (WAS PUT OUT BY DRIVER). APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS A GOUGE OUT OF TRANSMISSION HOUSING (LESS THAN AN INCH AT A JOIN BOLT), SLIGHT DENT IN TRANSMISSION PAN, TORN (~2") TEAR IN DIFFERENTIAL WHERE DRIVE SHAFT ENTERS FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. DRIVE SHAFT AND WHAT IS LEFT OF FRONT BEARING ARE FREE TO TURN BY HAND. DIFFERENTIAL FLUID (ASSUMED) WAS COVERING MOST SURFACES ON UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. UP TO ACCIDENT ALL APPEARED NORMAL EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT INTERMITTENT INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM (200-300 RPM) ABOUT 5 MILES PRIOR, ONCE WHILE CLIMBING A HILL EASTBOUND OUT OF SPOKANE ON INTERSTATE, AND JUST BEFORE FAILURE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE AND BOTH RECOVERED PARTS AT DODGE DEALERSHIP IN KENNEWICK WA. INCIDENT REPORTED TO DODGE. DAMAGE TO HIGHWAY OBSERVED TO BE A GOUGE (2-3' LONG APPROX 2" MAX DEEP) OUT OF PAVED SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE. TRAFFIC TO HEAVY TO SAFELY CHECK ROADWAY, BUT NO APPARENT DAMAGE OBSERVABLE BY DRIVER FROM SHOULDER OF ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10627436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesRunaway BAY, TX
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED ON ANOTHER OCCASION AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CASTOR HAD FAILED WHICH CAUSED HIS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE FRAME AND THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA complaint #10584637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.