10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,347 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ram 2500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Ram 2500 Owner Comments

problem #14

Aug 032020

2500

  • 35,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Please look into ABS module and hcu failures requiring replacement. I spoke with Dodge and they stated it is a know problem and requires replacement of parts. The anti lock braking system and hydraulic control unit have been failing on Ram 2500 and 3500 since 2006. My truck is a 2012 with just 35972, (not a daily driven truck so yes low miles) miles on it and is failing. This failure causes the cruise control to stop functioning. Please look into Ram forums and read all the complaints and look at the variations in years, if this is a know problem that can cause the ABS to fail how are they not repairing this. This trucknis still on the factory installed brakes

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #13

Apr 202018

2500

  • 40,000 miles
Factory installed trailer breaks do not work, I tow a 10,000# trailer that I cant tow without trailer breaks. Called Dodge @1-866-726-4636, thay know of the problem but cant fix it. This will eventuly lead to an accident.I was on the C.a. 101 North and had no trailer breaks this is dangerous

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #12

Dec 202017

2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V821000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (charlie's Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in maumee, oh, (419) 893-0241) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Holland, OH, USA

problem #11

Dec 202017

2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The break transmission shift interlock locking pin on vehicle may become stuck in the open position allowing the transmission to be shifted out of park and to any gear position without depression of the brake pedal and/or without the key in the ignition - dealership won't have the parts available to fix the recall until "probably around summer time, " according to the service department.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 132017

2500

  • 81,110 miles
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.

- Gurley, AL, USA

problem #9

Nov 152017

2500

  • 73,200 miles
Speed about 20 mph with no throttle, power steering and brakes stopped working. A few seconds later the steering and brakes worked again. If the steering and brakes did not start working again this could have caused the vehicle to crash into another motorist.this is not the first time this has happened.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #8

Feb 092016

2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 71,994 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Jasper, TX, USA

problem #7

Mar 042016

2500

  • 31,000 miles
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.

- Hobbs, NM, USA

problem #6

Oct 182015

2500

  • 45,000 miles
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.

- Kirkwood, NY, USA

problem #5

Aug 162015

2500

  • 55,834 miles
When I tried to switch my headlights from dim to bright, they wouldn't stay in bright. After several attempts the brights would not come on. When I signalled to turn left, the left headlight went out. When I signalled right, the right headlight went out. When I stopped and set the parking brake, both headlights went out. Seems like my truck has a ghost onboard!

- Carson City, NV, USA

problem #4

Jul 122015

2500

  • 46,219 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The water pump went out causing the fan belt to come off. Evidently the fan belt system is directly connected to the brake system. Had we been going a high rate of speed we would have been in serious trouble as we had no brakes. This is an incredible flaw in the design of this truck. Fortunately we were going slow when the vehicle malfunctioned and we were able to coast to a stop. Hopefully no one else has the fan belt come off. Not only that, I really don't think a diesel truck with only 46000 miles should be throwing a water pump. Maybe there should be more studies done on the vehicles as to the amount of dangerous designs it actually has.

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #3

Apr 022014

2500

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while traveling 50 mph, the tarder brake light illuminated on the dashboard. There was a warning bell that sounded throughout the vehicle for 15 seconds. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer was contacted and replaced the tarder brake controller. The failure recurred. The dealer was notified and the vehicle was scheduled for another appointment. The failure mileage was 19,000.

- Burlington, KY, USA

problem #2

Jan 012014

2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact was driving 65 mph when the vehicle failed to respond to braking attempts. The contact stated that he had to place the vehicle in neutral in order for the brakes engage. In addition, the engine rpms were excessively high. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but no cause for the failure was determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000. Updated 04/14/14 updated 04/22/14

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 082013

2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 35,000 miles
I was driving up to a stop sign when my brakes got very hard. When I went to turn, it was almost impossible. Every time I push the brakes the steering locks up but when I accelerate I get the steering back. I almost ran off the road into a ditch.

- Casper, WY, USA

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