2012 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

2012 DODGE RAM WITH 4.7 LITRE ENGINE. NOTICED A GROUND OUT VIBRATION TYPE NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT IDLE IN GEAR AT STOP LIGHT THERE WAS A REALLY NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP TO BE LOOSE AND UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO THREADS IN MOUNTING BOLT HOLE AT THE 9:00 POSITION AND THE LOWER BOLT AT THE 6:00 POSITION IN THE END OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THEREFORE THERE WAS ONLY ONE BOLT HOLDING ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND IT HAD LOOSENED UP AND NOW THE PUMP AND LINE WERE VIBRATING. VEHICLE IS…

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439174 at NHTSA ↗

2012 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB LONE STAR 5.7 HEMI W/MDS AUTO TRANS. TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY MODERATE "BUMP" OR JARRING THUD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TRUCK COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS IN CITY/HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPEAT CONCERN AS I DESCRIBED. THIS BUMP IS NOT NORMAL AND IS NOT CONSTANT OR CONSISTENT WITH ALL STOPS. ALSO, TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY WORK AFTER 1200 MILES. TRUCKS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. BATTERY WAS DEAD AND WOULD NOT START. UNKNOWN PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440984 at NHTSA ↗

THE DESIGN OF THE HEADREST IS BAD. IT FORCES YOU TO BEND YOUR NECK AS SUCH AN ANGLE THAT IT CAUSES EXTREME NECK AND UPPER BACK PAIN. I REALIZE THAT BY REMOVING THE HEAD REST I WILL NOT HAVE ANY WHIPLASH PROTECTION BUT I AM WILLING TO TAKE THAT CHANCE BECAUSE I AM IN PAIN EACH TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHO EVER FORCED THE MANUFACTURES TO MAKE THE HEADREST THIS WAY HAS NEVER DRIVEN ONE. MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE YOU FORCE THE MANUFACTURE TO USE SUCH A HEADREST. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442011 at NHTSA ↗

VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TWO FRONT AIRBAGS WHILE WATCHING THE CRASH TEST RATINGS. THE DRIVER COMPLETELY COLLAPSED THE BAG, HITTING HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PASSENGER BAG WAS ABOVE AVERAGE BUT SEEMED TOO AGGRESSIVE CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO WHIP LASH BACK TOWARDS THE SEAT. A GREAT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY DURING THE TEST AND OVERALL EXCELLENT TRUCK. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10448514 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOS POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT A FAILURE BUT THE ABNORMAL DECELERATION WAS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THE CONTACT EITHER APPLIED THE BRAKES, LIGHTLY TOUCHED OR CAME ANYWHERE NEAR THE BRAKES THEN THE VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY DECREASE IN SPEED. THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS NOT RELAYED TO THE CONTACT PRIOR TO P…

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450486 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND NOTICED EXCESSIVE SHAKING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE SHAKING WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR PRESSURE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WINDOW WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455556 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE HORN WAS REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE HORN FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE HORN SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE HORN DID NOT HAVE A SUFFICIENT GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME BUT THE HORN CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE HORN WOULD ALSO SOUND INDEPENDENTLY ANY TIM…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458010 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 BIG HORN WITH A 5.7L HEMI AND 6 SPEED TRANNY WITH IN 30MILES NOTICED VERY LARGE FLAWS IN THE PAINT ON THE HOOD UNDER THE CLEAR COAT THAT I DIDN'T SEE AT DEALER AT TIME OF PURCHASE DO TO RAIN TOOK BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TOOK THEM 3 DAYS TO REPAINT HOOD TO MATCH SOON AFTER GETTING TRUCK BACK STARTED PUTTING MILES ON IT AND NOTICED LARGE THUDS WHEN TRUCK IS SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP! ALSO NOW AT 2800 MILES I AM GETTING A FRONT END/WHOLE BODY SHAKE WHEN TAKING OFF TILL I GET UP TO 35-40 MPH FEELS DRIVE LINE RELAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460368 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-05-02 (May 2, 2012)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 RAM 1500 TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5, 2012 THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2012. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE A SPARE TIRE THAT DOES NOT MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS LISTED ON THE TIRE PLACARD. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, “TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.”

Consequence: IF INSTALLED, THE INCORRECTLY SIZED SPARE TIRE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM, ALTERING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ESC SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES AS NECCESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2013-02-06 (February 6, 2013)

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.

Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.

Reported: 2015-07-22 (July 22, 2015)

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.

Reported: 2017-12-20 (December 20, 2017)

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 Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

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.

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.

Reported: 2017-12-21 (December 21, 2017)

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 force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

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

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 is T82.

Reported: 2018-03-08 (March 8, 2018)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.

Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.