2012 Dodge RAM 4500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 10 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Power Train: 5; Steering: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Electrical System: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10559549 · 2014-01-13 (January 13, 2014)
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 FRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566035 · 2014-02-26 (February 26, 2014)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10566035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654631 · 2014-11-12 (November 12, 2014)
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 MON…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,104 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207857 · 2019-05-15 (May 15, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721949 · 2015-06-03 (June 3, 2015)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10721949 at NHTSA ↗