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)

21 of 282 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jun 26, 2024Transmission & drivetrainCrash

Recall T79 or 17V-821 or break transmission shift pin stuck in open position. This is the 2nd time this has happened and serious damage has occurred to the vehicle. Dodge won't do anything about it. Vehicle was parked, turned off, no key. I came out of building and it shifted into gear on its own and rolled backwards into a pole.

NHTSA ODI 11596979

Sep 28, 2018Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COVERT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (8107 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78758, (512) 730-3300) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RELAY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11132137

Sep 24, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. A DETERMINATION WAS NOT MADE AS TO WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, MODERATE BRUISING, AND SEVERE SWELLING. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *DT *TR *TT CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG DEPLOYED. UPDATED 12/03/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11130966

Jan 27, 2018Electrical systemEngineFire

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

Nov 20, 2017AirbagsSeat beltsBrakesCrash

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK SLAMMED ON BRAKES. I WAS ROUGHLY 30 FT BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL FELT SPONGY BEFORE GOING TO THE FLOOR. THE TIRES DID NOT LOCK UP, AND THE TRUCK SLOWED 20MPH IN ABOUT 30 FT. THE TRUCK MADE IMPACT WITH A CHEVROLET TAHOE AT 50 MPH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK, THROWING MY KNEES INTO THE DASH. THE CHEVROLET TAHOE WAS TOTALED. THE CURRENT ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE RAM IS $5,448. THE BUMPER, DRIVER FENDER, GRILLE, AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. UPON REMOVING THOSE ITEMS THE SHOP FOUND ALMOST EVERY BRACKET IN THE FRONT END HAD BEEN BROKEN AND THE FRAME HORNS BENT UPWARDS FROM THE COLLISION. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK A RATCHET STRAP IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, SENDING A LADDER THAT I WAS CARRYING INTO THE CAB CORNER, LEAVING A SOFTBALL SIZED DENT. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT AND THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONAL ON THE TRIP TO THE BODY SHOP, HOWEVER ANY ATTEMPT TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL RAPIDLY WOULD RESULT IN A SPONGY PEDAL. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 81,110. RAM WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER A WEEK OF BACK AND FORTH RAM AGREED TO SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A FAULT IN THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI 11047387

Aug 1, 2017EngineFire

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

Jul 24, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineFire

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

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

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 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

Oct 29, 2015Engine & coolingElectrical systemBrakesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EXHAUST FRACTURED CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WIRING AND THE ABS WIRING TO MELT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPES ,THE ABS, AND THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 10786982

Aug 18, 2015SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

I NOTICED FOR 6-8 MOS STEERING ISSUE TO THE LEFT, CALLED DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. AT VARIOUS TIMES A STRANGE CLUNKING CLICKING LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA AS DECELERATING AND TURNING LEFT WEIGHT TO THE FRONT. NOW CHOPPY TIRE LEFT FRONT AS THERE ARE NO BALL JOINTS IT APPEARS TIE ROD IS BAD OR SOMETHING. WHILE PULLING INTO A TURN THE OTHER DAY AUGUST 17,2015 THE VEH PULLED HEARD THE CLANK AGAIN AND THE STEERING PULL CAUSED US TO STRIKE FIXED OBJECT. DEALER SAYS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL, BUT WE HAVE ALL THE SAME ISSUES, AND NOTED FOR AWHILE STEERING AT INTERMITTENT TIMES PROBLEMS... WHAT CAN I DO VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE AS WE DRIVE INTERSTATE OFTEN WITH LOADS, WE NEED THE VEHICLE BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL EVEN THOUGH OUR VIN SHOWS DIFFERENT PLANT, BUT WHAT DO WE DO JUST BE KILLED FIRST? HELP PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI 10749629

Jul 31, 2015Crash1 injury

OUR 2012 DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK 4 DOOR WAS PARKED, UPON PARKING THE TRUCK WHEN THE GEAR WAS PUT INTO P THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED. WENT INTO THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR REMOVED SOME ITEMS CLOSED ALL DOORS AND LOCKED DOORS WITH REMOTE. LEFT THE AREA FOR ABOUT 1 HOURS UPON RETURN A FRIEND SAID IS THAT YOUR TRUCK ROLLING TOWARDS THE BOAT RAMP. SURE ENOUGH I LOOKED OVER AND SAW OUR TRUCK MOVING PICKING UP SPEED TOWARDS THE BOAT RAMP. LUCKILY IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT IT WAS STOPPED BY ANOTHER TRUCK AND TRAILER AS OUR TRUCK SWIPED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER TRUCK WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED IT FROM GOING INTO THE WATER. UPON INSPECTION BY THE RESPONDING SHERIFF THE DOORS OF OUR TRUCK WERE STILL LOCKED AND THE TRUCK WAS STILL IN PARK NO ONE TOUCHED THE TRUCK UNTIL IT WAS LOOKED AT BY THE SHERIFF.

NHTSA ODI 10745374

Jan 30, 2015Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING A TRAILER, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI 10679959

Jan 23, 2015Fuel systemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL VAPORS AS WELL AS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10678567

Jan 20, 2015Engine & coolingFuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND IN PARK, THE UNDERCARRIAGE AREA OF THE CABIN CAUGHT FIRE WHICH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT OR HOW THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) AFTER THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 10676624

Dec 8, 2014SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainBody & structureFire

I LEFT THE TRUCK RUNNING, I WALKED ABOUT 20 FEET AWAY WHILE DOING SOME CLEANING ON MY PROPERTY AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND I SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE GROUND ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE FIRE DRIPPING DOWN FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND IN NO TIME THE TRUCK BURNED TO THE GROUND. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AT THIS POINT? SHOULD I GET AN ATTORNEY? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663004

Nov 13, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureEngineFire

TOWING 5TH WHEEL TRAILER UPHILL IN LOW GEAR, LOST POWER,BIG BANG SMOKE FIRE.!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10654892

Sep 12, 2013Electrical systemSeatsFire

ON MONDAY 9-2-2013 I DROPPED OF MY TRUCK AND TOOK MY CAR FOR A RIDE. WHEN I RETURNED TO GET MY TRUCK FOR WORK I REALIZED THAT THE CENTER DASH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ON 9-3-2013 I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO REPORT THE INCIDENT BUT I AM NOT GETTING ANY CALL BACKS FROM THEM SO KNOW IM LETTING THE INSURANCE COMPANY HANDLE IT.I HAVE OBTAINED A SURVEILLANCE TAPE COPY OF THE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10543352

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 →