Is the 2012 Ram 1500 a bad year?
698 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 169, 3.2× a quiet 1500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 65k–112k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 148 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 84,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 175 (25%) | 52k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 169 (24%) | 65k–112k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 126 (18%) | 71k–122k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 92 (13%) | 17k–98k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 24 (3%) | 25k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 13 (2%) | 46k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 10 (1%) | 23k–86k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (1%) | 15k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 80 (11%) | 36k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 51 (7%) | 30k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 47 (7%) | 29k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 46 (7%) | 22k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 28 (4%) | 14k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 20 (3%) | 11k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 84,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 698 complaints: 32 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 20 report an injury · 21 say the car was towed.
17 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Truck has 84k miles and suddenly has P0303 code for misfire. Immediately took to mechanic. So far valve and lifter have been replaced, but problem still exhists.
Upon selecting transmission "D" Option instrument panel indicated "6", drove to barn for horse feed. Needing to back up to fence, to disperse feed, transmisson selection of "R" Was necessary.
Camshaft on hemi engines are defective and fail causing engine to fail and costing owner $6,000 to repair. This defect is effecting thousands of these engines and dodge/ram not doing anything about it.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 84,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Ram 1500: 7
Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground. 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 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, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. 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.
These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags. If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring. 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.
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange. 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.
The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 210
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving…
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Electrical overstress
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Neighbouring years
2011 1500: 689 complaints, consider selling · 2013 1500: 1,283 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2012 Ram 1500 a bad year?
698 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 169, 3.2× a quiet 1500 year. At 84,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 65k–112k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 148 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (175), engine (169), fuel system (126), transmission and drivetrain (92), body structure (24). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 65k–112k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ram 1500 have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-160), Equipment (NHTSA 17V-824), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821), Equipment (NHTSA 16E041000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.