2012 Dodge RAM 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 92about this part
- Share
- 13%of 698 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500, 13% of the 698 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am getting a loud humming vibration noise, sounds like a turbo issue with the hemi coming either from my transmission or rear axel at high and low speed. It's more noticeable at 65 to 75 MPH highway speeds. I took my truck into bill bryan in florida and they where unable to find any issues experiencing lost of power. Ongoing issue waiting for something to happen .”
NHTSA complaint #11331903, filed 2020-07, 98,000 miles“While driving at high speeds (60-70 MPH) my truck drops into 4th gear without notice. It then goes into limp mode and you can't shift out of 4th gear until you pull over and turn the truck off and then back on. I've noticed that a lot of other people are having this issue and it is very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11164802, filed 2019-01, 86,000 miles“I had noticed that my truck was riding rough. I took it in to the garage where it does get serviced and found out that my passenger side axle shaft, axle bearing, axle seal, brake caliper,brake rotor and brake pads all had to be replaced. It looked like the entire side had been set on fire. Garage told me they were glad I brought it in when I did because I was about to lose all control and would have had a terrible crash.”
NHTSA complaint #11301437, filed 2020-01, 205,892 miles“In the morning while starting truck no problem, all of a sudden while driving on street the truck just turned off. It had happened before on 3 other occasions but the first one was far apart then the other 2 in the last 2 weeks. When I got on the freeway I noticed a had to push harder on the gas pedal to gain speed but it felt like it was hard to press on and I wasn't getting to the speed (60mph) so I just took it slowly to gain speed. That lasted about a week. …”
NHTSA complaint #11319944, filed 2020-04, 1,000 miles“Takata recall on my transmission shift solenoid I was driving it on january,25,2019 and while I was driving the truck it went in manual and it was stuck in 4th gear and I was going seventy and that is a safety hazard”
NHTSA complaint #11174358, filed 2019-02, 94,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V821000Dec 20, 2017Chrysler (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…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2010–2012, Ram 1500 2009, 2013–2017, 2500 2013–2017 +7 more
- 13V038000Feb 6, 2013Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009…Covers: Dodge RAM 1500 2009–2012, Dakota 2009–2011, Durango 2009 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10229031Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10220837Mar 10, 2021GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to…
- 10220868Mar 4, 2021Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- 10190615Mar 4, 2021Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
- 10170368Dec 12, 2019Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10162502May 22, 2019Power Transfer Unit
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 | 176 | 26% |
| 2010 | 229 | 47% |
| 2009 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 | 594 | 51% |
| 2004 | 181 | 16% |
| 2003 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 | 45 | 9% |
| 1999 | 59 | 10% |
| 1998 | 85 | 16% |
| 1997 | 56 | 16% |
| 1996 | 52 | 17% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500
175 complaintsEngine
163 complaintsFuel system
126 complaintsAir bags
80 complaintsOther or unknown
67 complaintsBrakes
51 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsElectronic stability control
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology