2012 Dodge RAM 5500: complaints, problems and recalls

THE TRUCK WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING DOWN ALL TYPE OF ROADS AND SPEED. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## DODGE RAM 5500 2012 ##

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493197 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN THE LANE AND THE STEERING PULLED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED DAYS LATER AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER…

Owner-reported narrative. 580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495064 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537238 at NHTSA ↗

THE RAM 5500 TENDS TO WANDER OVER UNDULATING OR IRREGULAR SURFACE ROADS REQUIRING A HIGH LEVEL OF VIGILANCE TO REMAIN IN ONE'S LANE. THE STEERING ALSO HAS A HIGHER THAN NORMAL STICTION LEVEL IN THAT IT IS HARDER THAN NORMAL TO TURN ENTERING A CORNER AND THEN FAILS TO READILY RETURN TO CENTER WHEN EXITING A CORNER. IN ADDITION, THERE SEEMS TO BE AND UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING FOR A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER FOUND, DURING …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10545993 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DOGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN) AND THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE REMEDY PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALL REMEDY COULD BE PERFORMED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE DESCRIBED DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10549791 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10553979 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN) AND THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10558777 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V239000 (POWER TRAIN) HAD SURPASSED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10559070 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-06-04 (June 4, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 2, 2012, to December 22, 2012. Due to a welding issue with the front axle carrier, the front drive shaft may fracture and result in a loss of motive power and damage to surrounding components if the shaft continues to spin.

Consequence: Damage to other components, or sudden loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace or repair the front axle assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N26.

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 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. 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: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, 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 R16.

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.