NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 697 owner complaints for the 2012 Ram 1500.
Recalled components: fuel system, equipment, powertrain, and air bags. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (75 complaints, 11%). Most-reported area: electrical system (175 complaints, 25%; median mileage when it happened: 75,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Ram 1500 year
The 2012 drew 80 owner complaints in its first three years, against 210 for a typical Ram 1500 year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2019; best year: 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Risk: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
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
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
NHTSA listing: RAM 1500. Ram campaign T82.
Powertrain
Dec 20, 2017
automatic transmission · lever and linkage · column shift
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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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 rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 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 N08.
This campaign is an expansion of a recall campaign 12V-474.Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
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 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008.
NHTSA listing: RAM 1500. Ram campaign N08.
Equipment
May 2, 2012
labels
Fails federal standard 110 (tire and rim labeling)
The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Risk: If installed, the incorrectly sized spare tire may unexpectedly activate the electronic stability control (esc) system, altering the effectiveness of the esc system, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler's recall campaign number is m14.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 ram 1500 trucks, manufactured from january 5, 2012 through january 6, 2012.
NHTSA listing: RAM 1500. Ram campaign M14.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Equipment (Chrysler (FCA US LLC), 16E-041).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation that names the 2012 Ram 1500; it is closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
NHTSA listing: RAM 1500. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 697 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ram 1500. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off75 · 11%
Median 83,000 miles at failure, from 55 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode47 · 7%
Median 101,000 miles at failure, from 35 reports with mileage
Rust or corrosion46 · 7%
Median 93,000 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Airbag warning light or airbag fault37 · 5%
Median 58,000 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration36 · 5%
Median 41,000 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Check engine light29 · 4%
Median 92,500 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Headlight or exterior light problems29 · 4%
Median 38,500 miles at failure, from 23 reports with mileage
Misfires or rough running26 · 4%
Median 95,200 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Most named: wiring (3) · Median 75,000 miles at failure, from 124 reports with mileage
Engine163 · 23%
Median 83,000 miles at failure, from 115 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system92 · 13%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 45 reports with mileage
Powertrain92 · 13%
Median 65,500 miles at failure, from 58 reports with mileage
Air bags80 · 11%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 49 reports with mileage
Brakes51 · 7%
Median 35,000 miles at failure, from 34 reports with mileage
Steering47 · 7%
Median 45,000 miles at failure, from 30 reports with mileage
Unknown or other67 · 10%
Median 74,000 miles at failure, from 41 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ram 1500 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2012 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Ram 1500 drew the most (470) and the 2012 drew 80.
Owner complaints
2012: 697 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ram 1500
Model year
Complaints
2010
486
2011
689
2012
697
2013
1,277
2014
1,766
2015
1,450
2016
1,545
2017
880
2018
662
2019
1,481
2020
631
2021
679
2022
616
2023
201
2024
74
2025
356
2026
96
Safety recalls
2012: 6 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ram 1500
Model year
Recalls
2010
7
2011
6
2012
6
2013
11
2014
16
2015
17
2016
16
2017
13
2018
15
2019
29
2020
14
2021
15
2022
16
2023
11
2024
6
2025
8
2026
7
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 697 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ram 1500, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (75), loss of power or limp mode (47), and rust or corrosion (46). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2012 Ram 1500 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests the 2012 Ram 1500 earns 3 to 4 stars overall, depending on the version. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 Ram 1500?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2012 Ram 1500. It lists one closed investigation, which closed on Sep 19, 2024.
How do I check if my Ram 1500 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ram dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: RAM 1500.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.