NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
Salt and moisture exposure corrodes the fuel tank strap bracket, which may cause the fuel tank to drop and contact the ground.
What the fix does
This page covers 5 recalls and 693 owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500.
Engine and electrical complaints dominate what 2012 Ram 1500 owners report. On the engine side, owners frequently describe rough idle, misfires, and sudden loss of power while driving, several mention the check engine light flashing alongside the truck shaking and decelerating unexpectedly at highway speeds. Camshaft and lifter problems with the 5.7L Hemi come up across multiple reports, often surfacing after 100,000 miles. Electrical complaints center on stalling without warning, no-start conditions, and repeated failures of the starter or ignition system requiring multiple replacements. Powertrain reports add a layer of drivetrain concerns, including rear axle and wheel lockup during driving. Fuel tank strap corrosion appears in a smaller cluster of reports, particularly from owners in rust-belt climates where road salt accelerates the deterioration.
693
Total Complaints
32
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
20
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Ram 1500 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a steering wheel wiring harness that can rub against the driver airbag module and cause the airbag to deploy without warning.
On vehicles equipped with a column shifter, the transmission can be shifted out of park without pressing the brake pedal or having a key in the ignition, creating a rollaway risk. There is also a fuel system concern affecting trucks registered in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states: the fuel tank mounting can corrode to the point where the tank drops and contacts the ground, and in a crash the tank may not stay secured, either situation potentially causing a fuel leak. Two lower-severity issues round out the list: certain trucks manufactured within a narrow two-day window in January 2012 have a spare tire that does not match the specifications on the tire placard, which can trigger the electronic stability control unexpectedly and raise the risk of a crash if that spare is installed. Some vehicles were also equipped with a Kidde fire extinguisher that may not function when needed.
At a glance
What can fail
Salt and moisture exposure corrodes the fuel tank strap bracket, which may cause the fuel tank to drop and contact the ground.
What the fix does
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will bolt a reinforcement bracket to the frame to secure the fuel tank.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to spray, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may separate from the valve assembly with enough force to cause injury and make the extinguisher unusable.
What the fix does
Chrysler will provide a replacement fire extinguisher at no cost. Contact Kidde or Chrysler to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Holding the brake pedal down for extended periods while parked may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock pin to stick open, allowing the transmission to shift out of Park without pressing the brake or turning on the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software, inspect the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock, and replace it if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel wiring harness may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring, potentially causing damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, add protective caps to the air bag retainer spring ends, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire installed on these trucks does not match the tire specifications listed on the vehicle's tire placard.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair affected vehicles at no charge to bring the spare tire into compliance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.