Is the 2012 Ram 2500 a bad year?
283 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 2500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2012 Ram 2500 are in line with other 2500 years. Steering and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 2500 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 43,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 109 (39%) | 27k–72k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 51 (18%) | 62k–134k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 49 (17%) | 30k–97k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 35 (12%) | 16k–98k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 34 (12%) | 18k–80k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 22 (8%) | 27k–54k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Brakes | 14 (5%) | 36k–70k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 43,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 283 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Prior to epa emissions recall I would achieve diesel fuel efficiencies as high as 21 mpg highway, pulling a 18 foot trailer at a 1 hour duration.
While driving normally at a speed approximately 45 MPH, the truck flashed the check engine light a couple times and chimed, then I lost all power.
When operating the vehicle it will unexpectedly turn off, wheels lock up, steering locks up, engine stops completely no matter what I am doing.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 43,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Ram 2500: 5
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.
In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The left tie rod assembly may break. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, 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: 221
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Ram 2500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
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
Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Electrical overstress
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Neighbouring years
2011 2500: 298 complaints, keep it · 2013 2500: 178 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Ram 2500 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 2500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 1500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2012 Ram 2500 a bad year?
283 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 2500 years. At 43,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ram 2500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (109), electrical system (51), engine (49), transmission and drivetrain (35), fuel system (34).
How many recalls does the 2012 Ram 2500 have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-821), Equipment (NHTSA 16E041000), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-459), Fuel system (NHTSA 14V-635) 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.