Home · 2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab · Complaints

What 282 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ram 2500 Mega 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 (282)Crash / fire / injury (21)Steering (109)Electrical system (50)Engine (44)Transmission & drivetrain (35)Fuel system (26)Suspension (22)Brakes (14)Airbags (11)Engine & cooling (9)Body & structure (8)

Newest first · 282 complaints · page 5 of 12

Oct 31, 2016Lights

THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF IN THE DARK FOR NO REASON. I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I WAS COMING INTO A TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. IT WAS PITCH BLACK AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE AUTO FEATURE. I QUICKLY REACHED AND TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. IF I WASN'T ON A ROAD I NORMALLY TRAVEL I WOULD HAVE WRECKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10920199

Oct 10, 2016Steering

TRUCK GOT THE DEATH WOBBLES ON FREEWAY AT FULL SPEED ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND RAM IS REFUSING TO FIX IT WITH OUT CHARGE....THEY CLAIM OUT OF WARRANTY.... FROM ALL CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS AND WHAT IS ON THE WEB I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED.THEY ARE TELLING ME TRUCK IS NOT DERIVABLE IN IT CURRANT STATE

NHTSA ODI 10915133

Sep 28, 2016Airbags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENTS OR ANY UNUSUAL CONDITIONS. IT JUST CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 10910452

Sep 19, 2016SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)

FRONT END VIBRATION LOOSE STEERING. OVER 60MPH VERY BAD VIBRATING ALMOST FEELS AS IF THE TRUCK WAS BEING PUSHED ONE WAY AND GOING THE OTHER. BRAKING ALSO CAUSES THE STEERING TO WOOBLE OR PULL DEPENDING ON THE SPEED, WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD WAY IS THE WORST I NEVER KNOW WHERE I MAY END UP. ALL HIGHWAY AND TURNING INTO COMPANIES I USE IT AS A SALES VEHICAL

NHTSA ODI 10908020

Aug 10, 2016Electrical system

AIRCON/HEAT CONTROL HEAD NOT WORKING. A/C AND HEAT BLOWER CUTS OUT. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR FIX STARTING IN JUNE. DEALER SAYS PART NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER. VERY DANGEROUS IF SOMEONE IS IN CAR WITH A/C ON AND IT CUTS OUT ON A HOT DAY. CONTACTED DODGE DIRECTLY AND NOT HELPFUL. APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF BACKORDER FOR THIS PART. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE MOVING, STATIONARY, ETC.

NHTSA ODI 10894932

Jul 26, 2016

LEAKING EXHAUST AT THE HEAD. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET INDICATE A RECALL MAY BE NECESSARY DUE TO DANGER OF ASPHYXIATION.

NHTSA ODI 10888860

Jul 15, 2016AirbagsSeat beltsBrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,994. ..UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10885031

Jul 11, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CYCLED OFF AND ON FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOLENOID PACK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,989. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI 10883900

Jun 23, 2016Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500 EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL COURAGIA A/T TIRES, SIZE: 35X12.50R20M/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE BELT SEPARATION ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 10876267

May 2, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACK BAR LINK MOUNT BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 10862491

Apr 12, 2016SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainBrakes

THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE TRUCK BROKE SUDDENLY AND SINCE I WAS DRIVING AT 75 MILES, THE ROTATION OF THE METAL PARTS KEEP GOING AND BROKE MAYOR PARTS UNDER THE RUCKS SUCH AS TRANSMITION, SUSPENSION, OIL LINES, DIESEL LINES, AND MUCH AND MUCH MORE EVEN MADE A HOLE UNDER THE CABIN. THE PART UNDER THE TRUCK JUST LOOK LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED BECAUSE THE DAMAGE IS TOO BIG. EVEN BEYOND REPAIR FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI 10855119

Feb 2, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,800. UPDATED 05/17/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 10823713

Jan 29, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

RAM 2500 6.7 DIESEL. TRUCK HAS A 1-3 SECOND DELAY IN ACCELERATION WHEN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THEN PRESSING IT AGAIN. THIS IS NOT RELATED TO TURBO-LAG LIKE OTHERS MAY HAVE ASSUMED, BUT RATHER ENGINE MANAGEMENT. EXAMPLE: IF YOU ARE DRIVING ALONG IN TOWN AT 30 MPH, COME TO AN INTERSECTION AND START TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THEN DECIDE THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS TOO CLOSE SO YOU BACK OFF THE THROTTLE, THEN CHANGE YOUR MIND AGAIN AND STEP ON IT TO MAKE THE TURN, THE ENGINE SIMPLY DOES NOT RESPOND. IF IT IS ANY CONSOLATION, I KNOW OF MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES, WITH MODEL YEARS FROM 2010 TO PRESENT, AND ALL WITH THE 6.7 CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 10822987

Jan 26, 2016Body & structure1 injury

HOOD CLOSING SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE CHECKING ENGINE OIL......UPDATED 04/01/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10822247

Dec 22, 2015SuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TORSION BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/18/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10811783

Dec 21, 2015SteeringWheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND RUN INTO SIGN . PAID $60000 FOR THIS TRUCK AND I HAVE HAD TO PUT 30K BACK INTO IT FOR REASONS I HAD NO CONTROL OF> THAN CHRYSTLER OFFERED ME 22000 FOR THE TRUCK WHICH IS 4000 BELOW WHAT IS OWED ON TRUCK BIGGEST MISTAKE I MADE WAS BUYING A DODGE VERY UNPROFESSIONAL HOW THEY ARE HANDLINFG THESE BUYBACK TRUCKS SELLING U GARBAGE IS ONE THING THAN TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE ON THE BUYS BACKS ON RECALLED TRUCKS IS UNCALLED FOR

NHTSA ODI 10811474

Dec 18, 2015EngineFuel system

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

Dec 15, 2015Electrical systemFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 6.5HRS. WAS UNOCCUPIED AND NOT RUNNING. KEY WAS NOT IN VEHICLE. NO ACCESSORIES WERE PLUGGED IN. FLAMES SUDDENLY ERUPTED FROM UNDER HOOD DRIVER'S AREA. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HEARD THE HORN SOUND PRIOR TO NOTICING THE SMOKE AND SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 10810455

Dec 15, 2015Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V459000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10810432

Dec 2, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NODE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10808015

Nov 30, 2015Steering

THIS TRUCK HAS HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE PREVIOUS STEERING RELATED RECALL (13V529000) FIXED YET THE STEERING STILL DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. I HAD BROUGHT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. LAST SUNDAY I TURNED ON TO A TWO LANE ROAD AND AT A CRUISING SPEED OF ABOUT 35 MPH MY STABILITY CONTROL STARTED GOING CRAZY. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, A LOUD POP. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN I REALIZED THE CAR WAS NOT REACTING TO MY TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ON A SLIGHT RIGHT CURVE AND VEERING INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE WITHOUT STEERING AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES JUST BEFORE HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION ONLY BY CHANCE THAT THERE WASN'T A VEHICLE COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION. WITH THE KNOWN STEERING ISSUES OF THE TRUCK I AM NERVOUS THE EXISTING RECALL DIDN'T PROPERLY FIX THE TRUCK'S STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RELATED TO THE STEERING RECALLS. I HAD A BROKEN DRAG LINK TERMINAL AND PITTMAN ARM (NEITHER UNDER WARRANTY). MY TRUCK HAS 70,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN ON-ROAD ONLY AND UNDER NORMAL TO LIGHT CONDITIONS FOR ALL THE MILES. IN MY OPINION THESE CRITICAL COMPONENTS SHOULD NEVER BREAK ESPECIALLY AT ONLY 70K MILES ON A SUPPOSEDLY HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, THIS EVENT COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH MUCH WORSE. WE ARE THANKFUL.

NHTSA ODI 10807581

Nov 17, 2015SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2012 RAM 2500 WITH 20,000 MILES. WHENEVER YOU GO OVER A BUMP OR RAILROAD TRACK THE TRUCK STARTS TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY THAT YOU NEED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS ON THE NEW YORK THRUWAY TRAVELING AT 70 AND HIT A BUMP AND COULDN'T EVEN SEE STRAIGHT IT WAS WOBBLING SO BAD. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALER WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BAD STEERING DAMPENER WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MY WIFE WILL NOT USE THE TRUCK BECAUSE IS TERRIFIED OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE OWNED MANY RAM TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER COULD RESULT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10794524

Nov 17, 2015SteeringSuspension

MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE RAM TRUCK REPURCHASE UNDER RECALL N49. FCA US SENT ME AN OFFER FOR MY TRUCK THAT I RECEIVED OCTOBER 26. I FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK AND E-MAILED IT TO THE LISTED ADDRESS. I CALLED THE NEXT DAY, OCTOBER 27 AND FCA US VERIFIED THEY HAD RECIEVED MY DOCUMENTATION. THEY SAID A CHECK FOR THE REPURCHASE HAD BEEN REQUESTED. I WAS INFORMED THIS WOULD ONLY TAKE 2-3 DAYS TO ISSUE A CHECK. I CALLED BACK ON NOVEMBER 17 BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM FCA US FOR THREE WEEKS. AT THIS POINT FCA US CLAIMED THEY WERE WAITING ON MY DOCUMENTS. I TOLD THEM THEY HAD ALREADY VERIFIED RECEIPT OF SAID DOCUMENTATION ON OCTOBER 27. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID " LET ME LOOK" AND AFTER LOOKING VERIFIED FCA US DID HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND STATED THEY WOULD REQUEST A CHECK FOR THE REPURCHASE. I ASKED HOW LONG UNTIL I COULD EXPECT TO HERE FROM THEM AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE NOT GIVING TIMES. I QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT THEY TOLD ME 2-3 DAYS 3 WEEKS AGO AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S NOT TRUE, WE ARE NOT GIVING TIMES". IS FCA US GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE? IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY HAVE ANY INTENT IN PAYING ME OR MY FAMILY FOR OUR UNSAFE VEHICLE. THIS RAM 2500 IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE AND I CANNOT REPLACE IT UNTIL FCA US PAYS US WHAT IS OWED AND THIS BEING OUR PRIMARY VEHICLE WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH FAULTY STEERING THAT COULD BREAK AND CAUSE US TO CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 10794536

Nov 16, 2015Body & structureEngine

EXHAUST SMALL IN CAB WIN USING THE ENGINE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI 10790636

Nov 3, 2015Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE U-JOINT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI 10787998

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 282 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 2500 Mega Cab verdict →