The Used Car Index

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

NHTSA lists 366 complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, 4 of them mention a crash and 8 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as DODGE RAM 3500.

At a glance

Complaints
366
With crash
4
With fire
8
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
3
Deaths
0
Recalls
8
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,482,874
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
312

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
STEERING22260.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4512.3%
SUSPENSION369.8%
ENGINE359.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM297.9%
POWER TRAIN287.7%
AIR BAGS154.1%
WHEELS154.1%
SERVICE BRAKES143.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING113.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE5
STEERINGLINKAGES3
STRUCTUREBODY3
SUSPENSIONFRONT3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION2
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGHEADLIGHTS2
VISIBILITYPOWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
WHEELSLUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
unclear16047.1%0.84
mechanical failure6519.1%0.83
loss of control5817.1%0.75
electrical electronic298.5%0.80
noise or comfort82.4%0.75
visibility or lighting72.1%0.90
fire or overheating61.8%0.90
restraint or airbag41.2%0.73
fluid or fuel leak30.9%0.80
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
low18955.6%0.75
moderate12837.6%0.76
high226.5%0.69
critical10.3%0.74

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 340 tagged complaints of 366 complaints (92.9%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

8 recalls.

21V398000

Date: 2021-05-27. Systems: WHEELS.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation. (excerpt)

Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on De (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V824000

Date: 2017-12-21. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive fo (excerpt)

Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall i (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V821000

Date: 2017-12-20. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the (excerpt)

Consequence: 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 rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V739000

Date: 2016-10-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V459000

Date: 2015-07-22. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.

Consequence: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V635000

Date: 2014-10-08. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat. (excerpt)

Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrys (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V529000

Date: 2013-11-06. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break. (excerpt)

Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options fo (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V344000

Date: 2013-08-06. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.

Consequence: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

EA19001

Opened: 2019-04-19. Closed: 2024-09-19.

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.A 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 vehicl

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: 20V024.

Manufacturer communications

312 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT101
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING51
ENGINE28
POWER TRAIN23
STRUCTURE23
VISIBILITY14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE12

11034393

Date: 2026-06-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning

11034337

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

11034373

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

11021585

Date: 2025-07-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

LAMP - DOME

11019776

Date: 2025-06-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

LAMP - DOME

11017451

Date: 2025-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

LAMP - DOME

11012314

Date: 2024-12-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

SEAL - OUTPUT SHAFT

11012318

Date: 2024-12-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

SEAL - OUTPUT SHAFT

11012351

Date: 2024-12-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

GEAR - REACTION SUN

11010205

Date: 2024-10-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Plate - Planetary

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
RAM 3500366

Same model, other years

All model years | All Dodge models

Other Dodge models, 2012

Sources

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