Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2012 Dodge RAM 4500 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2019.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 59
Against the median year of the Dodge RAM 4500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 95
56% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Dodge RAM 4500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
526.3%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
526.3%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
210.5%
Engine & Cooling
210.5%
Other & Unspecified
15.3%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Wheels
15.3%
Median failure at 77,953 miles
Suspension
15.3%
Median failure at 77,953 miles
Brakes
15.3%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Electrical System
15.3%
Median failure at 85,104 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
222.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
333.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
444.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2013peak 3May 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 Dodge RAM 4500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA19001Opened 19 Apr 2019Closed 19 Sep 2024AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 32,000 milesMT Washington, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT ON THE TRUCK IT MADE A CRUNCHING SOUND. I WAS ON A CITY STREET HEADED BACK HOME. HAD TO TOW TRUCK TO REPAIR SHP, HAD TO REPLACE HUB ASSY, BRAKE ROTOR'S, BRAKE CALIPER, AXLE SEAL, AXLE COLLAR. THE COST WAS $1,589.43. THE IS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500.
NHTSA complaint #11207857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesMT Washington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT ON THE TRUCK IT MADE A CRUNCHING SOUND. I WAS ON A CITY STREET HEADED BACK HOME. HAD TO TOW TRUCK TO REPAIR SHP, HAD TO REPLACE HUB ASSY, BRAKE ROTOR'S, BRAKE CALIPER, AXLE SEAL, AXLE COLLAR. THE COST WAS $1,589.43. THE IS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500.
NHTSA complaint #11207857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cypress, TX
POWER TRAIN
2012 DODGE RAM 4500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR & FRONT AXLE HOUSING RECALL NOTICES REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS RECEIVED FOUR RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. EACH TIME SHE GOES TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORM HER THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10721949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cypress, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
2012 DODGE RAM 4500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR & FRONT AXLE HOUSING RECALL NOTICES REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS RECEIVED FOUR RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. EACH TIME SHE GOES TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORM HER THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10721949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cypress, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2012 DODGE RAM 4500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIESEL FUEL HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR & FRONT AXLE HOUSING RECALL NOTICES REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS RECEIVED FOUR RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. EACH TIME SHE GOES TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORM HER THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10721949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,953 milesWest Palm Beach, FL
WHEELS
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 WILL LAST UNTIL WE GET THE CORRECT PART.MIND YOU THIS IS A PART THAT COULD BREAK AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY KILL SOMEONE. WHILE MY COMPANY TRUCK IS SITTING BROKE DOWN AND WAITING FOR THE LOCAL DEALER ARRIGO TO CALL CHRYSLER BACK FOR 5 DAYS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO THEIR SHOP AT MY EXPENSE FOR THE REPAIR THAT IS BEING PAID FOR BY CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #10678938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,953 milesWest Palm Beach, FL
STEERING
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 WILL LAST UNTIL WE GET THE CORRECT PART.MIND YOU THIS IS A PART THAT COULD BREAK AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY KILL SOMEONE. WHILE MY COMPANY TRUCK IS SITTING BROKE DOWN AND WAITING FOR THE LOCAL DEALER ARRIGO TO CALL CHRYSLER BACK FOR 5 DAYS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO THEIR SHOP AT MY EXPENSE FOR THE REPAIR THAT IS BEING PAID FOR BY CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #10678938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,953 milesWest Palm Beach, FL
SUSPENSION
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 WILL LAST UNTIL WE GET THE CORRECT PART.MIND YOU THIS IS A PART THAT COULD BREAK AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY KILL SOMEONE. WHILE MY COMPANY TRUCK IS SITTING BROKE DOWN AND WAITING FOR THE LOCAL DEALER ARRIGO TO CALL CHRYSLER BACK FOR 5 DAYS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO THEIR SHOP AT MY EXPENSE FOR THE REPAIR THAT IS BEING PAID FOR BY CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #10678938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
STEERING
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 THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/23/15
NHTSA complaint #10662968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
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 THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/23/15
NHTSA complaint #10662968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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 THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/23/15
NHTSA complaint #10662968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,104 milesBreaux Bridge, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW LAST YEAR. THE TIPM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH COUNTLESS USELESS TRIPS TO THE DEALER JUST TO LISTEN TO THEM SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNTIL IT GETS WORSE SO THEY CAN FIND IT, AND GO FIGURE IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN WITH INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE ISSUES WHICH CAUSE LIGHTS TO GO OUT OR STAY ON OR BLINK, THE TRUCK NOT TO START OR TO INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATE, MELTED CHARGERS IN THE CHARGER PORT THAT ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, INTERMITTENT POWER TO MY TRAILER BRAKES, AND LOST TIME AND MONEY AS THIS IS MY WORK TRUCK!!! THEY ARE QUICK TO REPLACE THE TIPM BUT THEIR FIX NEVER SEEMS TO LAST LONG.
NHTSA complaint #10654631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomsburg, PA
POWER TRAIN
WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AMBULANCE N26/NHTSA 13V-239 FOR FRONT AXLE TUBE WELDS. THE NOTICE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CRASH OR HAVE A LOSS IN MOTIVE POWER IF USED. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER MANY TIMES TO HAVE THIS EMERGENCY AMBULANCE REPAIRED BUT THEY HAVE NOT REPAIRED, INSPECTED OR EVEN SEND CORRESPONDENCE WHEN THE VEHICLE MAYBE REPAIRED IN MORE THEN TEN WEEKS. THIS VEHICLE IS A 4 WHEEL DRIVE AMBULANCE WHICH IS NEEDED FOR OUR REMOTE COVERAGE AREA FOR ACCESS TO HOMES ON DIRT LANES, SNOW AND ICE TRAVEL. WE FEEL THAT AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A HIGHER PRIORITY TO GET REPAIRED AND WE ARE LOOSING REVENUE NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THIS UNIT YET WE ARE PAYING INSURANCE AND LOAN PAYMENTS. WE ARE A VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION SO OUR RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND HAVING THIS AMBULANCE OUT OF SERVICE IS A GREAT HARDSHIP TO OUR COMMUNITY.
NHTSA complaint #10567208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookville, OH
POWER TRAIN
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 IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT OF THE DELAY ON RECEIVING THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10566035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookville, OH
STEERING
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 IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT OF THE DELAY ON RECEIVING THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10566035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesAlliance, OH
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500. HE RECEIVED TWO RECALL NOTICES, NHTSA RECALL 13V239000 POWER TRAIN WAS RECEIVED IN JULY 2013; AND NHTSA RECALL, 13V527000 , STEERING WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY 2014 BOTH RECALLS INDICATED HE COULD LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS REQUIRED TO SIGN A MOTOR VEHICLE DOCUMENT INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES INCLUDING CARRYING A LOAD. HE NOW HAS LIMITED USE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK STATED IN BOTH RECALLS ONE OF WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT END COULD FAIL DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING AND THE LEFT TIE ROD MANY FRACTURE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. HE WAS ADVISED BY THE CHRYSLER RECALL CENTER THAT THEY WILL DISCUSS WHAT ACTIONS THEY WOULD TAKE REGARDING A CRASH ONLY WHEN OR IF A CRASH DID OCCUR. THE CONTACT IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10559549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesAlliance, OH
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500. HE RECEIVED TWO RECALL NOTICES, NHTSA RECALL 13V239000 POWER TRAIN WAS RECEIVED IN JULY 2013; AND NHTSA RECALL, 13V527000 , STEERING WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY 2014 BOTH RECALLS INDICATED HE COULD LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS REQUIRED TO SIGN A MOTOR VEHICLE DOCUMENT INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES INCLUDING CARRYING A LOAD. HE NOW HAS LIMITED USE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK STATED IN BOTH RECALLS ONE OF WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT END COULD FAIL DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING AND THE LEFT TIE ROD MANY FRACTURE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. HE WAS ADVISED BY THE CHRYSLER RECALL CENTER THAT THEY WILL DISCUSS WHAT ACTIONS THEY WOULD TAKE REGARDING A CRASH ONLY WHEN OR IF A CRASH DID OCCUR. THE CONTACT IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10559549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLeonia, NJ
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BECAME FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10552707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nuremberg, PA
POWER TRAIN
2012 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT AXLE TUBE WELDS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL, WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10551257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.