RecallRepo

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,101,529 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 978 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 18V160000 2018-03-08 218,617 affected
Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia,…

Consequence

If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.

EQUIPMENT 17V824000 2017-12-21 61,791 affected
Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged,…

Consequence

If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on…

POWER TRAIN 17V821000 2017-12-20 1,482,874 affected
Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake…

Consequence

Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

AIR BAGS 15V459000 2015-07-22 1,059,444 affected
Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver…

Consequence

This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler…

POWER TRAIN 13V038000 2013-02-06 278,674 affected
Defect

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through…

Consequence

If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

Remedy

On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair…

EQUIPMENT 12V192000 2012-05-02 129 affected
Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 RAM 1500 TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5, 2012 THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2012. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE A SPARE TIRE THAT DOES NOT MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS LISTED ON THE TIRE PLACARD. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE…

Consequence

IF INSTALLED, THE INCORRECTLY SIZED SPARE TIRE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM, ALTERING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ESC SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES AS NECCESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
167
2crashes6fires
ENGINE
163
1crashes2fires3injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
92
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
89
5crashes1fires2injuries
AIR BAGS
80
16crashes19injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
65
3crashes1fires6injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
49
5crashes1fires
STEERING
47
5crashes1injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
42
1crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
28
Total complaints978

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Unknown the engine is bad. Costing me $2500 that I don't have. The lifter needs fixing and probably other things as well. I need help.”

ENGINE · reported 2026-05-22

“The contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph and hauling a camper, the rear wheels locked up, and the contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle spun out. The camper jackknifed during the failure. The rear axle and wheels locked…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-04-23

“The contact's ex-wife owns a 2012 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while his ex-wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver shifted into park(p) and then restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the starter and key…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-04-03

“Fuel tank strap corroded due to environmental exposure to water and salt in west virginia.”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-03-23

“The contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light was flashing, and the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was shaking and continued decelerating. The vehicle was…”

ENGINE · reported 2026-03-14

“My 2012 ram1500 st 4.7 liter has the 9.25 rear differential that was in fact common for that year model too have the loose pinion nut recall my trucks vin is [xxx] for confirmation after doing some research on the symptoms that could potentially be causing this problem include but are not limited…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-03-08

“The truck will just shut off driving down the road at highway speeds. This has occurred multiple times.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2026-03-07

“The truck will just shut off driving down the road at highway speeds. This has occurred multiple times.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-03-07

Defect investigations

Investigation EA19001 Opened 2019-04-19 · closed 2024-09-19

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.