2012 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

2012 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH CRANKCASE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10332595 at NHTSA ↗

CREW CAB TRUCK. EXTERIOR AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS -22*F. INTERIOR TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY +20*F AND RISING; DEFROST SETTING, FAN SPEED IS SET TO HIGH, HIGH HEAT TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD AND WARM UP TRUCK. IDLE TIME OF 10 MINUTES OR LESS. TRUCK COOLANT TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY 135*F AND CLIMBING. ALL SNOW AND OTHER MATERIALS CLEARED FROM EXTERIOR OF TRUCK. LITTLE TO NO MOISTURE ON INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 15MPH WHILE FIRST STARTING OUT (WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF STARTING VEHICLE) AND CHANGING ELEVATIONS GREATE…

Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443513 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 400,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460518 at NHTSA ↗

THE CHROME TRIM IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE 2012 DODGE RAM 3500 LARAMIE LONGHORN EDITION CATCHES THE SUNLIGHT AND CAUSES GLARE INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. A WRECK ALMOST HAPPENED. IT IS BLINDING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10465440 at NHTSA ↗

2012 DODGE RAM 3500 LARAMIE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE CONTROLLER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A DEALER HELPED HIM INSTALL A UNIVERSAL BRAKE CONTROLLER, BUT IT DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ABLE TO USE IT, WITH THE HAND CONTROL, BUT NOT THE FOOT CONTROL. THE BRAKES WOULD BECOME VERY HOT FROM TRYING TO STOP THE EQUIPMENT TRAILER WITHOUT THE BRAKE CONTROLLER WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES OVERHEATED, IT DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING A…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10466087 at NHTSA ↗

PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNED WHEEL. LEFT LOWER TIE ROD BOLT SNAPPED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 19,678 miles reported. Look up ODI 10507082 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. MY TRUCK FELT AS THOUGH IT HAD SHIFTED INTO 4WD. I STOPPED, MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET. STOPPED AND BACKED FIVE FEET. I THEN HEARD AN AIR LEAK. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE TIE ROD HAD DISENGAGED, DROPPED INTO THE INSIDE OF THE RIM, AND PUNCTURED THE RIM. MY TRUCK WAS DISABLED AT THIS TIME AND I CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE DEALER. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2008-11 RAM TRUCK. THERE WAS A RECALL (L16). THIS IS AN EXTREME…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513437 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2011 BUT I HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN FOR THE LAST 1.5 YEARS AND THE TRUCK SITS IN THE SHOP MOST OF THE TIME. MY WIFE KEPT TELLING ME ON THE PHONE THAT WHEN SHE HAS TO DRIVE OUR TRUCK AT NIGHT IT WAS LIKE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT EVEN TURNED ON AND SHE CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT . I DROVE THE TRUCK ON MY R&R AND I WILL SAY THE TRUCK HAS SOME VERY VERY POOR HEADLIGHTS. IT'S LIKE A HEADLIGHT IS OUT OR SOMETHING BUT THEY BOTH WORK. THEY ARE BRIGHT BUT THE BEAM IS NOT FOCUSED OR SOMETHING, I COULD HARDLY SEE AT …

Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520593 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-08-06 (August 6, 2013)

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.

Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)

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.

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

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 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 N49.

Reported: 2014-10-08 (October 8, 2014)

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.

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

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.

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: 2016-10-13 (October 13, 2016)

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.

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: 2021-05-27 (May 27, 2021)

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.

Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

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 December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.