2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,450 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 3500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Jan 102021

3500

  • 5,000 miles

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

The integrated brake controller is intermittent at best. I purchased a trailer and it hooked up fine. Worked fine towing until I disconnected the trailer and seven pin connector. Now the controller tells me there is no trailer on the controller and the dash alerts. Upon pulling the trailer again the controller tells me I'm not towing when I am. ??

- Fairdale, KY, USA

problem #23

Sep 122020

3500

  • 73,000 miles
Something in transmission (68rfe) failed and dumps fluid out of the transmission dip stick tube onto the turbo which could cause a fire. This happened while driving and smoke started coming out of engine compartment. I was driving on a city street in the town I lived.

- Sanford, ME, USA

problem #22

Apr 282020

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 161,000 miles
While driving down the highway/roads every so often the truck would shut down completely. Been doing this a couple of times. Luckily I never got into a wreck because of this issue. Now the truck won"T start and it happened at home. After troubleshooting the problem I have found the wireless ignition node to be bad. After a little research on this I came up on a recall for the same problem and the same ignition system on other Dodge"S and was wondering why the Dodge Ram was left out. Recall number R03/NHTSA 14V-373.

- Caddo Mills, TX, USA

problem #21

May 252019

3500

  • 141,000 miles

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

While driving check engine light came on, took it to the mechanic shows multiple fault codes. Mechanic and dealer cannot find cause of codes. Replaced every sensor and computer 2 times still has the same codes.

- Slc, UT, USA

problem #20

Oct 222019

3500

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise occurred, the vehicle lost power, and became uncontrollable. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the transfer case shattered and was on the ground. Also, the front and rear driveshafts were detached. The vehicle was towed to a transmission shop where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Watkinsville, GA, USA

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problem #19

Jan 012019

3500

  • 54,000 miles
Differential out, 54,000 miles, either faulty workmanship or faulty parts.

- Seeley Lake, MT, USA

problem #18

Feb 152018

3500

  • 140,000 miles

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

Rear differential seized a second time, 9000 miles after it was repaired. A pinion

- Millsap, TX, USA

problem #17

Aug 012017

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V821000 (power train); however, the parts were not available. The contact had not received a recall notice. The contact stated that there had been engine and transmission failures with no solution from central Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram of raynham (191 us-44, raynham, MA 02767, (508) 823-0101) after several repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and 13V344000 (power train). The manufacturer issued 13 tsbs for the engine and 1 tsb for the power train. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Halifax, MA, USA

problem #16

Jan 162017

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel), 15V459000 (air bags), and 17V821000 (power train). The contact stated that the parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (bergeron auto - Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 3525 veterans memorial blvd, metairie, la 70002, (504) 888-2131) was unable to verify when the remedy and parts would be supplied from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel), 15V459000 (air bags), and 17V821000 (power train).

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #15

Feb 032018

3500

  • 160,000 miles
While driving uphill I incurred lose of power to the rear wheels. It gave a small shake and I lost power causing my RPM to raise. Pulled the truck over onto side of road and checked for any possible leaks or damage and notice none. While driving the truck again I only had first gear. There is a recall by Dodge referenced as the N50 and Dodge is telling me this does not pertain to my pickup however, the symptoms in my truck are the same as the N50 recall.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #14

Apr 072017

3500

  • 50,941 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle shook and the contact heard a loud bang from underneath the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of billings, 2229 king ave w, billings, mt 59102) where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft and transfer case failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the failure was not covered under the warranty. The failure mileage was 50,941.

- Monticello, MN, USA

problem #13

Sep 112017

3500

  • 127,900 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving approximately 70 mph and towing a 2017 wood deck trailer fmcw-11000-20S, the contact heard a banging noise underneath the floorboard. Suddenly, the front drive shaft and transfer case separated and blew up. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and was informed that his hubcap fell off. While attempting to shift the gear into drive, the gear shifter failed. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that fluid leaked onto the ground from underneath the vehicle and that the transfer case and drive shaft were gone. The vehicle was towed to king city Chrysler center (1603 broadway St, mt vernon, il 62864 (618) 242-6600) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was cracked, the axle was compromised, and the transmission, front drive shaft, transfer case, entire front axle, fuel lines, transmission wiring harness, shift cable, and transmission cooler lines all needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,900.

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

problem #12

Aug 092017

3500

  • miles
Scr catalyst system, engine light on for it, every other rtuck with this system has been recalled already

- Ponca City, OK, USA

problem #11

Jul 022016

3500

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving 70 mph, an abnormal noise was heard and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the gear shift failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Aug 182012

3500

  • 7,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked and the rear end vibrated. The contact also stated that the front end was vibrating while driving at any speed. As a result of the failure, the tires were replaced on four occasions. The contact stated that under the manifold intake that there was an exhaust leak and there was a fuel odor. In addition, the fuel gauge failed to function. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that an abnormal popping noise was heard coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lexington, TX, USA

problem #9

Mar 102015

3500

  • 46,000 miles
The 1st time this happened was as I was rounding a corner, onto a road I was turning onto. I pushed on the throttle pedal and nothing happened. The pedal was dead !!! after 2-3 seconds of holding the pedal down, the engine came to life and sped up. Sense then, this has happened more frequently. When starting from a stop light, going around corners and curves. It happens after leaving off the throttle, before passing, then a dead pedal trying to speed up to pass. This is specially dangerous when I am pulling my 5th wheel trailer and need the power to help control the truck and trailer !! having the cruse control on or off seems not to make a difference. After pressing and getting a dead throttle, the power comes back, after holding the pedal down for a few to several seconds. This may cause an accident, by a possible rear-end accident from another vehicle. I had this happen on a 2000 Ford 250 diesel and the throttle pedal was replaced and it solved the dead pedal situation. I'm frightened of get stranded in the mountains or in the desert as I travel across the usa, where I can't get cell phone reception for help.

- Pahrump, NV, USA

problem #8

Jun 132014

3500

  • 4,200 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 20 mph over a bump in the road, the vehicle bounced up and down approximately twenty times. In addition, the power steering and the brakes failed. The contact maneuvered off the road and shut off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering bar fractured and the four wheel drive failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,200.

- Mountain Grove, MO, USA

problem #7

Apr 252015

3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact was unable to shift into reverse intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 09/09/15 the consumer stated on several occasions the vehicle would not move, when he put the gear in reverse. Updated 09/16/15

- Remington , VA, USA

problem #6

Jun 252015

3500

  • 101,800 miles
Turned key on, put gear selector into N position. Allowed truck to roll forward, downhill 12". tried to put into park and it continued to roll down the driveway. I had started to open the door to get out as it started to roll. Tried several times to put it into park by several different methods, I.e. engine running, not running, reversed prior steps etc. Repair shop said something is broken inside the transmission. They stated it will have to be torn apart to find the problem, most likely a complete rebuild" we just got back from a vacation hauling a 38' 17,000# 5th wheel rv. What if this had happened on the hills at senica lake Ohio campground" many people could have been injured or killed! at a bear minimum there should be a warning posted to set emergency brake before putting into park, every single time!

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #5

Oct 012014

3500

  • 31,000 miles
While driving truck, throttle light starts flashing, engine light comes on and lightening bolt comes up. Car then loses all power and it dies. No notice. Very scary. Could cause serious or fatality accident since there is no notice and it just goes from 60 - 0. dealer has had the truck in half a dozen times and still cannot fix the issue. Chrysler has given me case manager, but they cannot figure it out either. They have tried a few different things, but it is not fixing the issue. Now dealer says they dont know what it is and they do not know how to fix it.

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

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