263 of the
4,040 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 3500
are about the engine —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
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.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11688894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11647551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that during cold weather, the engine would not heat up properly and hesitated to start. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions, the heater grid connector on the driver's side melted bolts and wiring that intruded into the engine, causing piston #6 to misfire. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11627228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver ran over tire rubber debris causing a thud under truck. Five minutes later a very loud thud noise occurred, no warning lights on dash, driver pulled off the highway immediately and exited truck. The grass was on fire underneath the truck. Explosion occurred. The entire inside of truck was gutted. Local fire department responded and put out the fire. Texas Department of Safety refused to respond since collision not involved. The truck is at a towing company awaiting salvage and has been inspected by a mechanic.
NHTSA complaint #11535177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Don’t know, the fireman,said the engine caught on fire, some how look like from on top pointed to the top. I believe I believe it was exhaust? Fire department would write out report and send it to me. Devastated 68+ miles truck was paid off melted the whole front and top of the engine everything down! I want to know what happened?! 2011, dodge ram 1 ton 6.7diesel Cummings ! also melted my boat 2010 nitro Z7 with a 150 mercury bass boat $28,000 boat worth more than that now whet up in value! It had 15 hours only on engine! It’s not completely lost I pray…
NHTSA complaint #11516414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON STATE, TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH I NOTICED A HAZE BEHIND THE TRUCK THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MIRROR. AT THE TIME, THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS BY INSTRUMENTS OR WARNING LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS WITH THE TRUCK. WONDERING IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE TRUCK I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO CHECK. AS SOON AS I STOPPED I SMELLED HOT OIL, SO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, RELEASED THE HOOD LATCH AND CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON LIFTING THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLAMES BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND FIRE WALL. I RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE CAMPER THE TRUCK WAS HAULING AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. TWO MOTORISTS WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS STOPPED TO HELP AND THE COMBINED USE OF THREE DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WOULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THE TRUCK AND CAMPER COMPLETELY BURNED. WHEN I REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY WE DISCOVERED AN ERROR IN THE VIN NUMBER ON MY INSURANCE POLICY. OUT OF CURIOSITY I RESEARCHED THAT VIN NUMBER AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT SAME STYLE TRUCK HAD ALSO BURNED. IT'S VIN IS 3D7MU48C84G269656 AND CAN BE SEEN IN THE 7TH PHOTO THAT IS UPLOADED TO THIS REPORT. BOTH WERE 2004 DODGE DIESEL TUCKS WITH LOW MILEAGE. IT SEEMS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE AND I WONDER IF THERE IS A DEFECT THAT CAUSED THIS AND HOW MANY OTHER OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11461850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had a recall on the fuel heater plug and took care of the problem a few years back. I noticed today that the plug is leaking fuel and was wondering if the problem was ever fixed or if they used the same recalled parts? Do you ever recall an already recalled part? or do they ever pay for the part if I fix it myself?
NHTSA complaint #11454389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Truck totally destroyed by spontaneous fire, suspected to be related to short in radio or dashboard. Assessment done by fire department and truck paid off by Progressive Insurance but no compensation for contents of truck. Truck in driveway, not running and fire damaged adjacent vehicle at cost of $7000 paid by vehicle owner and USAA insurance.
NHTSA complaint #11441379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
60 MILES FROM HOME AFTER A 2,000 MILE CAMPING TRIP THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STOPPED. TRAVELING NORTH ON HIGHWAY191 IN YELLOWSTONE PARK THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH AND THE TRUCK DIED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL OFF THE NARROW ROAD. EMERGENCY FLASHERS DIDN'T WORK AND THERE WAS NO CELLPHONE SERVICE, SNOW WAS FALLING AND TRUCKS BARELY ABLE TO GET AROUND US, WE FEARED FOR OUR LIVES. I OPENED UP THE HOOD AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC, THE TIPM WAS MELTED IN SPOTS. FINALLY A KIND MOTORIST STOPPED TO SEE IF WE NEEDED HELP, 20 MILES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD HE WAS ABLE TO CALL A TOWING SERVICE WHICH TOOK ANOTHER SEVERAL HOURS TO GET TO US. WE WERE TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN BOZEMAN WHERE IT WILL BE ANOTHER2 WEEKS BEFORE THEY CAN GET IT IN.
NHTSA complaint #11407492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER LOSS OCCURS AT ANYTIME. ALL THE TIME. TRUCK SLOWS DOWN TO IDLE SPEED. REALLY BAD WHEN DOING 70 ON THE INTERSTATE. MUST SHUT ENGINE OFF, PRESS ACCELERATOR SLOWLY FOR 5 TIMES THEN RESTART ENGINE. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROLLER HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES NOW. THEY ALL FAILED AGAIN BETWEEN 7 AND 40 MILES. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11395088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WATER PUMP FAILURE, VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A CONCENTRIC WATER PUMP WITH NO WEEPHOLE. SAME CONCERN AS T51 WATER PUMP RECALL AFFECTING 2013-2017 RAM TRUCKS WITH 6.7 DIESEL ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE BUILT 12/2012 BUT IS CONSIDERED A 2012 NOT A 2013. CURRENT RECALL APPLIES TO 2013 MODELS BUILT AFTER OCT 24TH 2012.
NHTSA complaint #11382873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 PM, I HEARD A VEHICLE HORN HONKING OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. GOT OUT OF BED TO INVESTIGATE. OBSERVED MY 2102 RAM 3500 DIESEL TRUCK WITH LIGHTS ON AND FLASHING AND HORN WAS HONKING. KEYS FOR TRUCK WERE IN THE HOUSE. WENT OUTSIDE WITH KEYS AND TRIED KEY-LESS ENTRY FOB TO OPEN THE CAB DOOR WITH NO SUCCESS. SMELLED SMOKE. OPENED DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WITH REGULAR KEY TO SEE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD ALL LIT UP. OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE LOTS OF SMOKE AND OBSERVED GLOWING WIRING HARNESS NEXT TO DRIVER'S SIDE BATTERY. HARNESS WAS GLOWING ORANGE ALL THE WAY FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE FUSE BOX (POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE) NEXT TO BATTERY. WENT INTO GARAGE TO GET WRENCHES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DISCONNECTED DRIVER SIDE BATTERY BUT THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS STILL GLOWING ORANGE AND SMOKING. NEXT, DISCONNECTED AUXILIARY BATTERY ON PASSENGER SIDE AND WIRING HARNESS STOPPED GLOWING AND BURNING. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, IN FRONT OF GARAGE, NEXT TO THE HOUSE. KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SPONTANEOUS THERMAL EVENT. VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 56,500 MILES AT TIME OF THERMAL EVENT. MASSIVE SHORT CIRCUIT APPEARS TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE FUSE BOX (POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE) UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING ALL WIRES LEADING OUT OF THE MODULE TO SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSING MASSIVE AND TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. REFERENCE NHTSA COMPLAINTS: 10926543 ' NOVEMBER 16, 2016 11084301 ' APRIL 10, 2018 11142816 ' OCTOBER 26, 2018
NHTSA complaint #11374635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIFFIN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1121 S MAIN ST, JEFFERSON, WI 53549) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WATER PUMP BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.*LN*JB *JS*DT CONSUMER STATED ENGINE AND WATER PUMP BOTH SUBJECT TO A RECALL BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11341830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,386.
NHTSA complaint #11339531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT STATED EMPLOYED BY A COMPANY THAT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS DETECTED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE INVESTIGATION REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,216.
NHTSA complaint #11308991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.