2012 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2012 Ram 1500 most often describe two things: the truck shutting off or failing to start because of an ignition or power-module fault, and the front fuel tank strap bracket rusting through so the tank drops toward the road. Engine complaints cluster around Hemi misfires traced to worn camshafts and lifters, plus broken exhaust manifold bolts that produce a start-up tick and exhaust leak. Most of these reports arrive well past 60,000 miles and many past 120,000, so condition and service history matter more than age alone.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Front fuel tank strap bracket rusts and tank drops

   Mentioned in 16 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a scraping or grinding noise from underneath, followed by the discovery that the front T-slot bracket or strap holding the tank has rusted and detached, leaving the tank hanging or on the ground. Several owners report a fuel smell or leak after the tank drops, and some made temporary fixes with rope or cable to get home. Dealers and shops have quoted replacement of the straps and bracket; a number of owners say their truck was excluded from the fuel tank strap recall even though the symptoms match. Mostly reported between roughly 67,000 and 170,000 miles, often on trucks used in winter-road-salt states and sometimes found during routine maintenance.

   Recall 18V160000

   What to check: Look under the truck at the front strap bracket and T-slot for heavy rust or separation, and ask whether the fuel tank strap recall (18V160000) was performed for this VIN. A fuel smell or a hanging strap is worth a shop inspection before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving today my fuel tank fell down because the strap pulled out of the frame. There is a recall for this on2012 ram pickups but not my VIN number. Was wondering if my truck could be included in this recall”

   NHTSA complaint #11407434, filed 2021-04, 3 miles

   “Will looking under the bottom of my truck I noticed the fuel tank sagging. Further inspection showed that the front bracket that holds the fuel tank up is hanging down. The t slot that holds the brave is rusted and will not hold the bracket in. After further investigation found u04 recall. Contacted dealer and was told that the truck does not meet the recall. Even though it is a 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 built at the saltillo plant in mexico on 9/10/2011 and was registered and driven in west virginia (salt belt state).”

   NHTSA complaint #11331230, filed 2020-06, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Truck shuts off or will not start (ignition / WIN / TIPM)

   • 238 complaints (34%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (172 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 21 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, including on the highway or when hitting a bump, sometimes with the gauges dropping out and no warning light. Some report it takes several key cycles or attempts to restart, and a few had the key fob taped or held in a position to keep the truck running. Complaints name the wireless ignition node (WIN), the ignition switch, or the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM); dealers and independent shops have replaced ignition switches, TIPMs and fuel pump relays, and several owners were told their VIN was not covered by an ignition-related recall. Spread from about 59,000 to 250,000 miles, with many reports around 100,000 to 155,000 and several owners describing repeated occurrences over weeks or months.

   Recall 17V8210002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch, WIN module or TIPM has been replaced, and whether any open ignition-related recall applies to the VIN. On a test drive, note any stumble or cut-out over bumps and confirm the truck restarts reliably.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at any speed my truck shuts off intermittently. Figured out when key fob is bumped engine shuts off an loses power. Noticed that they have the same problem on other vehicles with the same wireless ignition module but my truck isn t included on the recall”

   NHTSA complaint #11307909, filed 2020-02, 250,000 miles

   “On monday february 17, 2020 I was driving home from work and while at the stop light my truck just cut off. I was able to turn the key a few times and it started back up. I then stopped by whataburger that same night and it did it again. I took it to the dealer tuesday afternoon. Today we were told that it is the wireless ignition node (win) that is bad. I understand there to be an existing safety recall for this exact win module but it does not cover our 2012 Dodge ram pickup. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11310400, filed 2020-02, 118,056 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Camshaft and lifter wear causing misfire and power loss

   • 52 complaints (7%)
   • median 106,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $4,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe a misfire code on a single cylinder, rough running, shuddering, and loss of power while accelerating or climbing grades. Several were told by their shop that a camshaft lobe and lifter had worn and needed replacement, and some had the engine replaced. Complaints also note hard shifting and trouble getting parts because of demand. Generally reported from about 80,000 to 170,000 miles, with many between 110,000 and 138,000.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records of any camshaft or lifter work and have a shop check for stored misfire codes. A cold-start listen for valvetrain noise and a scan for pending cylinder misfires are both inexpensive checks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Along with many other people who own the same model of truck I have everyone has seemed to come across the same problem with the camshaft and lifters causing every car place in my state to be out of the parts to fix it. I noticed the truck was having a hard time shifting and acting weird so I brought it in to get coded and when it was getting coded I was told by the tech that the 7th cylinder was out along with issues with the camshaft and he has seen it in an alarming amount of trucks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11404162, filed 2021-03, 110,000 miles

   “Vehicle has 138,358 miles and has had regular maintenance. However, the cam shaft has worn and rocker arm has become loose and is causing cylinder 5 to misfire (p0305). This failure has caused the truck to lose power while driving on freeway or times of acceleration to cross traffic or climb steep road grades. Initial investigation by auto mechanic states that cam shaft and rocker arm need replacing. Additional investigation is needed to see if valvles are deteriorating and need replacing.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361257, filed 2020-09, 138,300 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and chime, seats trigger it

   • 83 complaints (12%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2025

   Owners report the airbag light and chime coming on and off intermittently, sometimes triggered by moving the seats, and some link it to the steering-wheel connector or clock spring, noting the horn and cruise control also stop working. Several owners say the airbag recall repair was already completed on their truck yet the warning continued, and one reports airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles, in some cases within a few years of a recall repair.

   Recall 15V459000

   What to check: Confirm the airbag recall (15V459000) was done and whether the airbag light is currently off; try sliding the seats with the key on to see whether the light or chime triggers.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My airbag light came on and stayed on and my horn or cruise control does not work. Not sure if I got in an accident that my air bag would actually deploy.. Thinking it is a clock spring issue.. Had a recall on my 2011 wrangler and same thing was happening to that vehicle also..this happened right after I started the vehicle after work today.”

   NHTSA complaint #11389291, filed 2021-01, 98,000 miles

   “It was below 25 degrees when I got up this morning so the window had ice on it. I started my truck to defrost the window. I opened the back passenger door to put my bag in and when I closed the door the airbag went off. I see other trucks same make and model and year have had issues but my VIN says that there is not an airbag issue with my truck. I beg to differ; so now it will cost $1100 to fix it and I am worried that the other airbags will deploy with me driving on the interstate.”

   NHTSA complaint #11311919, filed 2020-02, 160,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks are worth a close underside inspection for fuel tank strap corrosion and a scan for stored misfire and ignition codes before buying. Ask for paperwork on any TIPM, ignition or camshaft work, and check open recalls against the VIN rather than assuming coverage by model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.