Home · 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab · Complaints

What 694 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (694)Crash / fire / injury (45)Electrical system (174)Engine (163)Fuel system (121)Transmission & drivetrain (92)Airbags (80)Brakes (51)Steering (47)Lights (45)Speed control (28)Body & structure (24)

174 of 694 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 2 of 7

Jan 20, 2023Electrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 10 attempts. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11502748

Jan 15, 2023Electrical systemEngine

My 2012 Dodge Ram shuts off or stalls for no apparent reason. Sometimes upon starting, while going down the freeway (at freeway speeds), as well as speeds in between, This has happened with my family in the vehicle and even when we are towing our stock trailer with animals inside. This is very scary for all of us and dangerous for all those on the round around us. While we have not been involved in any accidents, its just a matter of time. There is never any warning when this happens and it not only shuts off it looses power to everything. So times it catches its self and restarts, other times we have to manually restart the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11501871

Nov 17, 2022Electrical system

My truck has completly shut off on me while driving several times. The last time my truck shut off I was in 4 wd due to snow and ice and the truck shut down I lost steering and slid sideways. It was scary. I could have been seriously injured or hurt someone else due to a crash. I know the win module is the issue because if I just barely touch the key fob while its in the ignition my truck immediately shuts off. I have talked to the dealership and they said the win module failure is a common problem.

NHTSA ODI 11494047

Sep 25, 2022SteeringElectrical systemEngine

Intermittent fault from the TIPM module. When slowing to a stop, or slowing to make a turn, the engine dies without warning resulting in loss of power steering and operability while in traffic. The only indication that the engine has died is the tachometer reads 0 RPM, loss of power steering, and the excelerator becomes inoperable. The radio, headlights, and A/C stay on during this. Coming to a complete stop and putting the truck into park (P) and turning the ignition to OFF and then restarting the truck resolves the problem, but on the highway this is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. This has been diagnosed as an intermittent fault derived from a faulty TIPM module and involves multiple RAM 1500, 2500, 3500 owners. Various issues of similar nature reported to dealerships and on forums.

NHTSA ODI 11486309

Sep 13, 2022Electrical system

Tipm malfunctions and stalls out vehicle. Will not crank back up and truck fries new Tipm within 5 months and stalls out driving down the road.

NHTSA ODI 11484185

Sep 1, 2022Electrical systemFuel system

I just received this truck, 2012 RAM 1500, from my uncle. Worked great for a couple of months but then started having issues with the engine stalling and losing power while driving. Then I would have issues getting it to start again. The last time I was stranded was at a friend's house and wasn't able to get it to start again. His cousin that works on cars initially determined it was a fuel pump issue because he could get it to start by spraying ethanol in the engine but wouldn't stay started. Then another friend of his inquired about the truck and he told him the issue. He knew of the known issue with the TIPM in this year/model truck which was a fuel pump relay issue. He was able to clean some contacts and got it to start again which allowed me to get it home. I did some research and it is widely known of this issue with the TIPM. There are even bypass cables you can get for a work around. I do consider this a safety issue since at any time it will stall while driving down the road including once on a highway.

NHTSA ODI 11482398

Aug 30, 2022Electrical system

Starting around 2020 when I moved to the new house and I constantly had to make a slow left turn underneath this underpass. I noticed that it would die every time. And I started noticing that it was a pattern because I have the blinker on the brake pressed and I turn the wheel the left that’s when it would die every time and I’ve had the gas pedal off I wouldn’t be giving any gas. I looked it up in several people have been having this issue since 2009 on all dodge trucks. Yes has put me in the ditch a few times I almost got hit a couple of times the probability and statistics are going to catch up and I can guarantee you I’m certain that somebody has had an accident because of this.

NHTSA ODI 11481913

Aug 29, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

While operating the vehicle at highway speed the vehicle shut off causing total loss of power. This happened on a road with speeds at 55 mph. It also occured while pulling into my driveway at a low speed, and i have had 3 occurences of the vehicle power "surging" at varied speeds. I had the fuel pump replaced, which did not remedy the problem. After hearing my fuel pump running with the vehicle shut off, i did some further research and found that the TIPM (toatally integrated power module) is the culprit and has been found to cause several other electrical system issues. Loss of power in a low speed scenario, such as turning left from one roadway to an intersecting road can cause the vehicle to be stranded in the middle of the road and place the stranded vehicle in the line of incoming traffic posing a serious risk for injury or death from a "T-Bone" motor vehicle crash.

NHTSA ODI 11481687

Aug 11, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel system

Failure of fuel pump relay on above listed 2012 Ram 1500 at 69,999 miles. Current repair requires replacement of entire TIPM module (at a cost of $1,000 to 2,000) as this relay is soldered to the circuit board deep inside the module, making it nearly impossible to cost effectively replace this critical $10.00 part. Of note, the TIPM installed in this vehicle has 10 slots (9 relays installed and 1 open slots) for "replaceable" relays under the cover. Of these replaceable relays at least 2 (blower motor and park lamp) are less critical with one empty slot available. Further a safety recall was issued in December of 2014 (Safety Recall P54/14V530 Fuel Pump Relay) for 2011 models of the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee, but no other models despite that the same or very similar designed TIPM's are used in virtually all Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles along with many VW models. If this was a SAFETY ISSUE for select 2011 models, why not the other vehicles using the same or similar TIPM's. Further experience has shown that the Chrysler fix tends to have a high failure rate also. Suggestion: Recall all vehicles with TIPM's which have soldered in Relays, for replacement with a re-designed part which allows for all the relays that can be readily replaced. Further consideration in the design of a new part should include the minimization or elimination of multiple points of failure (is a relay really necessary on a circuit?).

NHTSA ODI 11478731

Feb 11, 2022Electrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated that the service light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but parts were not ordered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to another local dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11451493

Jan 12, 2022Electrical systemEngine

Wireless ignition module fails to maintain connection with key fob inserted. Looses power on highway if I hit a bump. Dealer will not address the issue. Door locks are also now not functioning. Am assuming it is the trash TIPM in this 2012 ram 1500 chrysler installed. This whole 2012 ram should be recalled totally unsafe vehicle to have my 5 year old and 5 month old in.

NHTSA ODI 11447204

Dec 11, 2021Electrical systemSeats

Both airbag harnesses under the driver and passenger seat had to be replaced because of faulty connections that kept throwing air bag codes on dash display

NHTSA ODI 11443473

Nov 28, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

TIPM is sending intermittent signal to fuel pump relay cause truck to stall at highway speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11441852

Aug 25, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

THE TRUCK STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 MILES PER HOUR ALMOST GOT IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NO STEERING OR BRAKES. (COULD BE DEADLY). THIS ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN MAKING A RIGHT TURN THRU AN INTERSECTION. WAS TOLD IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUSE BOX TIPM TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE

NHTSA ODI 11430497

Aug 10, 2021Electrical system

THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE EVEN WHILE DRIVING AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO MOVE AGAIN. FOR INSTANCE, I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON OR ABOUT 08/02/2021 AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET REAR ENDED. THE COMPONANT HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FOUND FAULTY. THE OTHER SYMPTOMS ARE PROBLEMS LOCKING DOORS AND OPENING WINDOWS.

NHTSA ODI 11428512

Apr 28, 2021Electrical system

THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING, NO CODES COME UP,YOU STILL HAVE RADIO PLAYING AND AIR, ITS LIKE YOU TURNED IT OFF ,IT DOES START BACK, THIS HAPPENS RANDOM, I WAS LUCKY AN ACCIDENT HASN'T OCCURRED YET, I BELIEVE IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH,I ALSO NOTICED THAT IF YOU TOUCH THE KEY IT WILL SHUT OFF BUT STILL BE IN THE OPERATION MODE

NHTSA ODI 11414225

Mar 17, 2021Electrical system

THEIR IS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER VECHICLES 2008 THROUGH 2010 THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY HAVE UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE FREQUENCY OPERATED BUTTON IGNITION KEY (FOBIK) FROM THE 'ON' TO THE 'ACCESSORY' POSITION WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ENGINE SHUT OFF AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. INITIALLY MY 2012 DODGE RAM 1500, HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM THE IGNITION (WIN )HAS PLAY IN THE SWITCH , PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT START , MECHANIC HAS TO WIGGLE KEY , OR TURN HARD TO START , SAYS WIN NEEDS REPLACING , ONLINE I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM OF THIS YEAR OF DODGE RAM, SEVERAL POSTS OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11403424

Mar 4, 2021Electrical systemFuel system

THE FUEL PUMP REMAINS RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11399086

Feb 23, 2021Electrical systemEngine

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, OR STREET OCCASIONALLY THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING NO LIGHTS IF OPERATING AT NIGHT TIME AND NO POWER STEERING AND GAUGE CLUSTER IS ALSO OFF. AFTER PULLING OVER AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND JIGGLING THE IGNITION KEY AND TURNING IGNITION KEY TO START THE VEHICLE THEN IT WILL START AND RUN NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT INCIDENT ACCRUES. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE IGNITION ON THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES GO BAD FOR WHATEVER REASON AND LOSE CONTACT WHICH TURNS THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANYTIME. ON MY VEHICLE IT DOESN'T ACCRUE ALL THE TIME BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT VERY UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE JUST TURNED 59,000 MILES AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11397626

Feb 14, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

POWER WINDOWS WORKED WEN THEY WANTED TO . WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON IN THE CLUSTER LIKE I TURNED THE KEY OFF THEN ON . TRUCK KEPT RUNNING . STARTED GETTING HARD TO START . ONCE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS . NOW IT DOESN'T START AT ALL . HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TIPM . I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE RAM TRUCKS .

NHTSA ODI 11396150

Feb 1, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

WITH THE COLD WEATHER, IT'S NOT CRANKING. I HAD A NEW BATTERY AND STARTER INSTALLED AND IT STILL DOESN'T CRANK UNLESS IT'S IN NEUTRAL AND I PRESS THE FUEL PEDDLE. IF IT SETS FOR TOO LONG IN COLD, I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCESS AND NO LONGER AM ABLE TO USE REMOTE START AND SOMETIMES HAVE TO BE JUMPED OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11391069

Jan 21, 2021Electrical systemAirbagsSpeed control

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND MY HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. NOT SURE IF I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MY AIR BAG WOULD ACTUALLY DEPLOY.. THINKING IT IS A CLOCK SPRING ISSUE.. HAD A RECALL ON MY 2011 WRANGLER AND SAME THING WAS HAPPENING TO THAT VEHICLE ALSO..THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER WORK TODAY.

NHTSA ODI 11389291

Dec 28, 2020Electrical systemEngine

MY 2012 RAM 1500 IS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE WIN MODULE AND WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT WILL SOMETIMES NOT START AND IT HAS DIED ON ME ON THE INTERSTATE RUNNING 55MPH+. THE WIN MODULE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS OF CHRYSLER DODGE MODELS BUT NOT THE RAM. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE OFTEN TIMES I HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE AND I LOOSE STEERING WHEN IT SHUTS OFF. I'VE READ IN NUMEROUS FORUMS AND TALKED WITH OTHER WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH GETTING IT FIXED. I WOULD LIKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE ME AND MY CHILDREN OR SOMEONE ELSE IS SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS SIMPLE YET VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AT OWNERS COST.

NHTSA ODI 11385213

Dec 21, 2020Electrical systemEngine

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION OR NOT WORK. DRIVER SIDE LOCK, RADIO, POWER TO ENGINE STALLING. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE RELAY FUSE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI 11384486

Oct 23, 2020Electrical system

CAMSHAFT SENSOR

NHTSA ODI 11365895

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 694 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab verdict →