MYRModel Year Report

2012 Dodge RAM 1500

● Typical for this model
2012 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1169 complaints 2003 2004: 1094 complaints 2005: 1165 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 553 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 687 complaints 2012: 694 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2012: 694 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011112
2002815
20031169
20041094
20051165
2006792
2007517
2008553
2009670
2010485
2011687
2012694
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 167 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Fuse box caught on fire while driving

NHTSA ODI report, 20240212

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated when the vehicle was turned off and in park, he accidentally bumped the gear shit lever and the vehicle slipped out of park (P) without the brake pedal being depressed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240123

ENGINE 23%

23% of complaints: engine — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 92 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 89 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated when the vehicle was turned off and in park, he accidentally bumped the gear shit lever and the vehicle slipped out of park (P) without the brake pedal being depressed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240123

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20111222

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 80 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE STRUCK HIGHWAY GUARD RAIL IN CRASH WHILE WE WERE IN MOTION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171209

TRAVELING APPROX 45MPH. ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD AND HIT MY VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT HEAD LIGHT. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TRYING TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROX 15-25MPH. THE IMPACT WAS ALMOST A COMPLETE HEAD-ON COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120902

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED IN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120801

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20120521 — equipment

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 SPECIFICATION

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.

Campaign 12V192000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20131107 — power train

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

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 th

Campaign 13V038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150918 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 15V459000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160701 — equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling aftermarket Mopar Canvas Seat Covers for certain 2012-2016 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.

Campaign 16E041000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180214 — equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.

Campaign 17V824000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180226 — power train

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...

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.

Campaign 17V821000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180502 — fuel system, gasoline

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,...

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.

Campaign 18V160000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (167 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (163 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (92 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V192000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V038000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V459000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E041000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V824000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V821000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V160000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1995 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2005 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.