2012 Dodge RAM 3500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

8 safety recalls list the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500, and owners have filed 366 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

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8 safety recalls for the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

   NHTSA 21V398000 Reported May 27, 2021 447,985 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

   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.

   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…

2. Equipment

   NHTSA 17V824000 Reported December 21, 2017 61,791 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

   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…

   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…

3. Column shift (power train)

   NHTSA 17V821000 Reported December 20, 2017 1,482,874 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

   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…

   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…

4. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

   NHTSA 16V739000 Reported October 13, 2016 74,811 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

   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.

   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.…

5. Air bags: frontal

   NHTSA 15V459000 Reported July 22, 2015 1,059,444 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

   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…

   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…

6. Diesel (engine and engine cooling) and fuel system, diesel

   NHTSA 14V635000 Reported October 8, 2014 315,325 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler Group LLC

   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.

   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…

7. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 13V529000 Reported November 6, 2013 271,733 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler Group LLC

   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.

   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…

8. Automatic transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 13V344000 Reported August 6, 2013 85 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler Group LLC

   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…

   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…

366 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 have filed 366 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 8 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 70,182 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 181 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Steering220
• Electrical system43
• Engine35
• Suspension32
• Fuel/propulsion system29
• Power train27
• Air bags15
• Service brakes14

What owners are reporting

“The contact owned a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, a fire started under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The hood was completely”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 4, 2026 · Engine and engine cooling

“Driving my 2012 dodge ram 3500, just as I was crossing one of the busiest intersections in my town my truck lost all power and dropped from 35mph to 5 mph. Barley made it acrossed and pulled over. As”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 30, 2026 · Engine

Compare Dodge RAM 3500 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge RAM 3500 model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 2012 Dodge RAM 3500

Other Dodge models

• Durango13,770 complaints
• Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
• RAM 150012,416 complaints
• Caravan10,526 complaints
• Dakota6,629 complaints
• RAM 25006,443 complaints
• Intrepid6,228 complaints
• Charger5,741 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.