Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 Dodge RAM 2500: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Dodge RAM 2500, most recently filed December 2017. Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Dodge RAM 2500. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Dodge RAM 2500. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V821000 Filed Dec 20, 2017

Vehicle May Rollaway

Power train · automatic transmission · lever and linkage · column shift
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
59.5% repairedof 1,482,874 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V821000
Listed for 2012 Dodge RAM 2500. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V459000 Filed Jul 22, 2015

Inadvertent Driver Air Bag Deployment

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
74.6% repairedof 1,059,444 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V459000
Listed for 2012 Dodge RAM 2500. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V635000 Filed Oct 8, 2014

Fuel Heater may Leak and could Increase Fire Risk

Engine and engine cooling · engine · diesel
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
71% repairedof 315,325 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V635000
Listed for 2012 Dodge RAM 2500. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V529000 Filed Nov 6, 2013

Failure of the Left Tie Rod Assembly

Steering · linkages · tie rod assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
56.5% repairedof 271,733 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V529000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (283)

283 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.

8involved a crash
12involved a fire
4injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge RAM 2500, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 283.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other RAM 2500 years

Best and worst RAM 2500 years →
2003200420052006200720082009201020112012
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 RAM 2500 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All RAM 2500 years

Where to next

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge RAM 2500 have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 17V821000 (power train), 15V459000 (air bag), 14V635000 (engine), 13V529000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Dodge RAM 2500 problems?

Owners filed 283 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (109), Electrical system (51), Engine (44) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 2012 RAM 2500 compare with other years?

Among the 2003–2012 Dodge RAM 2500 model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (214) and the 2006 the most (670). The 2012 drew 283. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.