What 282 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Ram heavy duty with tow package new. At just over 152000 miles, the engine started knocking while on vacation. We were not towing at the time. We put in injector cleaner to try and help the knocking. During our vacation, we were on the freeway when we suddenly lost power, the service engine light popped on, and the engine died. We were literally driving one minute and the next were trying to get out of the traffic lane with no control. We restarted the engine, the knocking had stopped and power was restored. Two days later, another episode of power decrease but with no engine service light. We used premium gas, injector cleaner and listened for the knocking that came and went, to drive home. We were told by our local dealership it is a lifter failure and the truck needs a replacement engine.

NHTSA ODI 11740399

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ODI 11532307

Exhaust Manifold on passenger side is leaking. It has a broken bolt due to manifold warping. This is causing exhaust to leak into the cab.

NHTSA ODI 11498190

The exhaust manifold bolts on both sides of the engine warp due to two different metals being put together under heat. Steel and aluminum expand at different temperatures. This causes the bolts to break off of the exhaust manifold creating an exhaust leak into the engine bay. Yes, this can be inspected upon request. The safety of myself and the general public is at risk due to the exhaust leak into the engine bay being pulled into the cab via the heating or airconditioning system. The exhaust fumes are pulled into the cab of the truck via the heating and airconditioning system. When running, the truck has a very noticeable smell inside the cab. It has caused me headaches as well. This poses a risk to the public if the driver were to pass out from said fumes. The problem can be reproduced and is a known issue with Dodge. It is very well documented online that this problem happens to nearly all Dodge Ram trucks. It has never been recalled because Dodge says its not a "safety" concern. This is very much so a safety issue. The components have been inspected by others, and verified as broken. I will not take it to a dealership to have it inspected as they want to charge 150$/hr to diagnose something that even they recognize as a known issue. There were no warning lamps, messages or any visible indication of this problem. A loud ticking noise and a strong smell of exhaust fumes are what brought the issues to attention.

NHTSA ODI 11465983

My Dodge Ram 2500, 2012 Hemi engine started making a ticking sound so got a tune up. The machinic changed the spark plugs and distributors around after I complained. Nothing he was able to do enable the truck to function properly. I spoke with the Dodge dealership, the spoken informed me that when Dodge merged with MERCEDE the problem persisted and to this date a fix was not provided. I spoke with other Dodge owner who experience the same problem. The engine was not functioning properly because of internal damage. The cost of repair would cost between $8K and $10K to replace or repair the engine. The dealership stated that NHTSA nor Dodge have provided a fix and that the problem still persist to this day.

NHTSA ODI 11454342

Engine has been making a ticking noise on the passenger side for the past few months. The passenger side exhaust manifold warped and broke two bolts in the engine block. This caused an exhaust leak and made the truck run rich due to the leak before oxygen sensor. Fuel efficiency declined. Replaced the exhaust manifold, gasket, and bolts to repair the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11451688

The bolts holding the exhaust manifold to the engine cylinder head, are breaking off. This has occurred in the past, on the drivers and passengers side. I had the problem repaired, by a dealer, which required the replacement of the passenger side cylinder head as well. This issue has re-occurred on the drivers side, which has been confirmed by a Ram dealer, as shown in the attached documentation. In every instance, the issue starts with a tapping noise, as the exhaust manifold pulls away from the head. Passengers in my truck have complained about the smell of exhaust fumes, which is a safety and health issue. This truck only has 85,000 miles, yet this is the 3rd incident of this issue occurring.

NHTSA ODI 11448459

WHILE IN DRIVE, WENT OVER SPEED BUMP AND VEHICLE TURNED OFF. INTERMITTENT IGNITION PROBLEMS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE TO WHERE NOW VEHICLE NOW TURNS OFF / QUITS.

NHTSA ODI 11399642

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED UNIVERSITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF FLORENCE (LOCATED AT 2354 FLORENCE BLVD, FLORENCE, AL 35630, (256) 766-7324) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11187493

R03 (REPLACES L25) WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE WIN MODULE FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE ENGINE AND POWER SHUTS OFF TO THE VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME SITUATION ON MULTIPLE OTHER DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME WIN MODULE PART/PART# AS MY 2012 RAM. 'THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE FREQUENCY OPERATED BUTTON IGNITION KEY, OR FOBIK, FROM THE 'ON' TO THE 'ACCESSORY' POSITION WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ENGINE SHUT OFF AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.' HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2016/RCMN-16V240-9929.PDF

NHTSA ODI 11172632

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11162025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,197.

NHTSA ODI 11161420

WE TOOK OUR TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A BRAKE RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED, MY DAD WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY TRUCK WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND BLINKING. IT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND WAS HAVING A HARD TIME ACCELERATING. HE GOT THE TRUCK TO MY HOUSE. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE MECHANIC A FEW MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. WHENEVER I WOULD SLOW DOWN THE TRUCK WOULD START SHAKING. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO ACCELERATE AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN AS I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD ACTUALLY GO. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE STUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY BLINKING AND BEEPING. AFTER A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE CAM SHAFT AND LIFTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, THERE WERE MANY FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE IN 2011 AND 2012 DODGE RAM TRUCKS. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK BEFORE IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11128534

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE CONTACT USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LANDERS CHEVROLET OF NORMAN (1221 ED NOBLE PKWY, NORMAN, OK 73072, 405-321-7021), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL), 15V459000 (AIR BAGS) ,AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11119573

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT A SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRUCK FLASHED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT A COUPLE TIMES AND CHIMED, THEN I LOST ALL POWER. THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED, AND I HAD TO MANUALLY GUIDE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A PRIVATE DRIVE AND CALL FOR A TOW. I WAS TOLD BY A SHOP THAT THE VALVE SEAT OF CYLINDER 1 FAILED AND BROKE APART INSIDE THE CYLINDER AND DAMAGED THE CYLINDER WHILE ALLOWING OIL INTO THE CYLINDER AS WELL. I AM TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I AM WAITING FOR THE SHOP'S DIAGNOSIS DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ODI 11113027

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11104565

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE "KEY NOT RECOGNIZED" DISPLAYED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY BE STARTED. AFTER FINALLY STARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RED BLUFF DODGE, CHRYSLER, JEEP, RAM, 545 ADOBE RD, RED BLUFF, CA 96080) WHERE THE WIN MODULE AND BRAKE CONTROLLER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11100591

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RYAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP, 1212 2ND ST W, WILLISTON, ND 58801), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MODEL YEAR FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11072774

BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2017 I WAS AT WORK AT OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE WHEN I RECEIVED SEVERAL MESSAGES FROM THE PAPILLION FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE LA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND MY APARTMENT STAFF HAD BEEN DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET AHOLD OF ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY RAM 2500, WHICH I HAD NOT DRIVEN IN OVER 10 DAYS, HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN ITS PARKING SPOT NEAR MY APARTMENT BUILDING. MY FIRST THOUGHT AFTER BEING COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY BY THE FACT THAT A LIGHTLY USED TRUCK THAT HADN'T EVEN BEEN DRIVEN COULD SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH ITSELF ON FIRE WAS THAT THANK GOODNESS THE TRUCK WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND NOT IN MY GARAGE. WHEN I GOT TO MY TRUCK I SAW THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED AS WELL AS ALL THE WIRES LEADING TO AND FROM THE FUSE BOX. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL RAM DEALERSHIP AND I CONTACTED RAM AND CHRYSLER SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY DETAILS OTHER THAN THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11065433

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LIFTERS DETACHED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11048021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DICK HUVAERES DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TICKING IN THE MOTOR WAS DUE TO A FAULTY WATER PUMP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BERLIN TOWNSHIP AND ELMONT FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11012157

HAVE A SHAKE IN THE TRUCK! HAVE TAKEN IT IN MANY TIME TO BE FIXED! FOR FOUR YEARS HAVE HEARD IT NORMAL TO YOU WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. FINALLY AFTER 6 OR 7 DEALER ONE DECIDED IT WOULD OPEN IT UP. THE HOOKED IT UP TO THIS MACHINE THAT WOULD TELL THEM WERE IT'S COMING FROM. THEY TELL ME THE ONLY THING THEY CAN FIND IS A TRANS MOUNT. SO AFTER THAT THEY OPEN THE REAR END THEY HAD TO REBUILD IT. THEN THEY HAD TO PUT ALL NEW FROM REAR END UP TO THE ENGINE WHILE POWER TRAIN. IT STILL HAD A SHAKE! THEN THEY GOT AN OK TO OPEN THE ENGINE FROM CHRYSLER. SO THEY ADJUSTED THE VALUE LASH. O ALMOST FORGOT THE DEALER HAD MY TRUCK 7 MONTHS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO WHEN I PICKED IT UP FROM SZOTT M-59 ON THURSDAY AT AROUND 7 PM AND BUY SATURDAY MORNING TRUCK IS ON FIRE IN DRIVE WAY AT ABOUT 9 AM. I DROVE IT ON FRIDAY ,I PARKED IT BY 4 PM . SO IT WAS OFF FOR ABOUT 17 HOURS OR SO. HAVE NO IDEA WHY THERE WAS A FIRE. REALLY WOULD LIKE TO NO WHAT HAPPEN. HEARING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR. BUT WITH THE DEALER TAKING OF THE TOP OF THE MOTOR OFF TO READJUST THE VALVE LASH.I THINK THEY HAD TO TAKE OF THE WIRE HARNESS AND BATTERY CABLES TO WORK IN IT. WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT WHAT WENT WRONG!!!!!!!!!! THE TRUCK WAS IN DRIVEWAY FACING SOUTH WIND WAS COMING FROM THE SOUTH. TEMP OUT SIDE WARM. TRUCK WAS SHUT OFF AROUND 4PM FRI. FIRE LOOKED LIKE IT STARTED ON DRIVER SIDE. LOOKED LIKE BATTERY AREA IS WERE THE FIRE STARTED DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE TO MUCH PAPER WORK TO SEND!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11010428

WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF, WHEELS LOCK UP, STEERING LOCKS UP, ENGINE STOPS COMPLETELY NO MATTER WHAT I AM DOING. AS OF LATE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. AFTER RESEARCH WAS DONE, IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS ON THE INTERSTATE, HWY, AND CITY STREETS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS TIMES. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND IS USED TO DRIVE MY 4 CHILDREN AROUND, AGES 17 TO 1YR OLD.

NHTSA ODI 10927050

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10811189

EXHAUST SMALL IN CAB WIN USING THE ENGINE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI 10790636