2012 Dodge Ram 5500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (18) · Electrical System (6) · Power Train (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 5500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
22 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (9)
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2021-05-27 · campaign 21V398000 · 447,985 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for
Equipment 2017-12-21 · campaign 17V824000 · 61,791 vehicles
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, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the v
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: 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 "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
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 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. With the pin in the op
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2016-10-13 · campaign 16V739000 · 74,811 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
Air Bags:frontal 2015-07-22 · campaign 15V459000 · 1,059,444 vehicles
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 air bag module retainer spring.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
Fuel System, Diesel 2014-10-08 · campaign 14V635000 · 315,325 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V527000 · 36,151 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 22, 2012. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: On May 19, 2015 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would replace the tie rod assembly, 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 market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2013-08-06 · campaign 13V344000 · 85 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.
Power Train:axle Assembly 2013-06-04 · campaign 13V239000 · 5,622 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 2, 2012, to December 22, 2012. Due to a welding issue with the front axle carrier, the front drive shaft may fracture and result in a loss of motive power and damage to surrounding components if the shaft continues to spin.
Risk: Damage to other components, or sudden loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace or repair the front axle assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N26.
Service bulletins (223)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100653 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Electrical System 2025-07-28 · 106241 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-06-12 · 104974 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Showing the 6 most recent of 223 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-04-11 · Engine · 73,031 mi“the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle started making noise coming from the engine compartment. the smoke originates from the engine compartment and the exhaust pipe in the rear of the vehicle and when the accelerator was depressed the vehicle did not accelerate. additionally, th…”
2019-06-14 · Structure:body · 27,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 5500. while performing maintenance on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was cracked in the rear on both sides near the rear wheels. the vehicle was taken to wickstrom chrysler jeep dodge ram (located at 660 w northwest hwy, barrington, il 60010, (847) 382-5400), but was not diagnosed or repaired. the de…”
2019-04-27 · Suspension · 26,850 mi“frame on truck has cracked on both sides just before the rear wheels.…”
2018-12-27 · Electrical System · 30,000 mi“the ignition switch is faulty! the switch must be moved around in the switch to start the truck. additionally while driving the truck may just quite running, this causes the power steering and brakes to become manual. this becomes very dangerous when hauling loads as stopping distances are greatly increased, not to mention nearly impossible to …”
2018-03-19 · Suspension“2012 dodge ram 5500. consumer writes in regards to deficient welds on the front drive axle recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the recall was completed as directed by the notice, but did not fully repair the vehicle. there were still serious cracks in the axle and frame. the manufacturer was notified, but did not offer any assistance. *j…”
2017-09-11 · Steering:column“2012 dodge 5500. consumer writes in regards to steering angle sensor and clockspring in the steering column issues and other electrical failures. *ld the consumer stated the electronic functions on the steering wheel were inoperable. this includes the horn and cruise control. the consumer was advised parts are on back order but there was no re…”
2017-05-10 · Electrical System · 78,025 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 5500. after the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 16v739000 (electrical system), the vehicle stalled without warning on multiple occasions. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approxi…”
2016-08-25 · Steering“have problems with truck wandering all over road at speeds over 40-45-mph from when truck was new... many times i tried to get truck in after recall notices and did not have parts. not resolved to this date. now new problem i have is steering is very tight and does not return to center after turning and is a major danger. truck was just in dealer f…”
2016-01-22 · Electrical System · 76,000 mi“when driving the magnetic key ignition module was shorting out. this caused the truck to loose the majority of drivers control at 65 mph on the highway, then the key would make contact and restart the motor causing convulsions in running. this operating condition almost caused a semi truck to rear end my truck. four days after replacing the $800 i…”
2016-01-11 · Steering · 91,386 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 5500. while driving approximately 5-10 mph, the steering failed due to the driver side tie rod ball detaching from the vehicle. the failure happened without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod assembly detached and needed to be replaced. prior to the failur…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.