Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled away. The contact was standing near the vehicle with the key fob. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Recall T79 or 17V-821 or break transmission shift pin stuck in open position. This is the 2nd time this has happened and serious damage has occurred to the vehicle. Dodge won't do anything about it. Vehicle was parked, turned off, no key. I came out of building and it shifted into gear on its own and rolled backwards into a pole.
Have a shake in the truck! Have taken it in many time to be fixed! For four years have heard it normal to you will have to live with it. Finally after 6 or 7 dealer one decided it would open it up. The hooked it up to this machine that would tell them were it's coming from. They tell me the only thing they can find is a trans mount. So after that they open the rear end they had to rebuild it. Then they had to put all new from rear end up to the engine while power train. It still had a shake! Then they got an OK to open the engine from Chrysler. So they adjusted the value lash. O almost forgot the dealer had my truck 7 months to fix the problem. So when I picked it up from szott m-59 on Thursday at around 7 pm and buy Saturday morning truck is on fire in drive way at about 9 am. I drove it on Friday ,I parked it by 4 pm . So it was off for about 17 hours or so. …
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. The city mpg averaged to 13-15 mpg, since the emissions recall update made on this vehicle, mpg has averaged between 10-13 mpg on highway with no load/no trailer and averages between 9-11 mpg in city. These benchmarks have been consistently compared and road conditions have been same. To add to this issue, there has been a loss of power that has caused unexpected hesitation in a number of instances. Several times I was put in harms way as crossing city divided highway, crossing streets and/or dividing highways where that multi-directional traffic lights are not always present. To further explain, realizing the power pickup was not present and turbo did not seem to be 'spun up' even though acceleration was increased dramatically. …
I was driving my 2012 Ram 2500 cummins down the interstate at 70-75 MPH. There was a loud explosion followed by multiple violent sounds coming from the bottom of the vehicle just below my feet. The floor board below my feet was pushed upward nearly 1 foot from the drive train components slamming into the cab until I could get pulled over. The drivetrain nearly penetrated into the cab. I was able to get the truck stopped on the shoulder. After looking under the truck the transfer case had exploded leaving metal components all over the interstate. The explosion has caused from early estimates 15-25K in damages. The transfer case, transmission, driveshafts, brake lines, wiring harnesses, emissions components among other parts are completely ruined. The truck May be totaled. The truck is still under warranty and Chrysler isn't being very helpful. …
After receiving notification from Dodge that parts were available to correct the diesel fuel heater electrical connector (recall p65/NHTSA 14v-635) my Dodge dealer (rairdon Dodge, bellingham) told me the parts for the recall were on back order from Dodge. Subsequently the check engine light came on shortly thereafter and when diagnosed the problem was with the oxygen sensor system. Once again the dealer told me that the repair parts were on back order from Dodge and they would call when the parts arrived, this was close to a month ago and in the meantime the truck has been parked and not been used. I believe that this extended period waiting for back ordered parts is excessive and needs to be rectified, especially when Dodge indicated that the parts for the recall were available.
Ram 2500 6.7 diesel. Truck has a 1-3 second delay in acceleration when releasing the accelerator pedal, and then pressing it again. This is not related to turbo-lag like others May have assumed, but rather engine management. Example: if you are driving along in town at 30 MPH, come to an intersection and start to make a left turn, then decide that oncoming traffic is too close so you back off the throttle, then change your mind again and step on it to make the turn, the engine simply does not respond. If it is any consolation, I know of many people with the same issues, with model years from 2010 to present, and all with the 6.7 cummins turbo diesel engine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated and the gear shifter failed to shift into park. The contact used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to landers Chevrolet of norman (1221 ed noble pkwy, norman, OK 73072, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that she was unaware of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel), 15V459000 (air bags) ,and 17V821000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Transfer case literally blew up. Causing transmission to bust in two and multiple pieces to shoot off, causing loss of brake lines and brake usage, as well as parts being sent into the cab of the truck. Transmission shop stated this is the multiple incident of a transfer case blowing up on Dodge Ram vehicles (with no recall) and this was by far the worse, causing damage to even the frame. Truck was traveling down the highway at 65 MPH. No ancillary conditions, normal driving. Truck began to vibrate and then blew up sending pieces into the underside of the vehicle, causing loss of brakes and pieces to enter into the cab.
My wife and I were going down the highway at 75 MPH when there was a sudden vibration then a loud bang, and there was something hitting underneath the floor. I was able to get in the breakdown lane. I looked underneath the truck and the front drive shaft was missing and most of the transfer case. I went back and cleaned all the stuff off the road. Also after further examination there was a large hole in the transmission housing from the front drive shaft hitting it and the brake lines and other lines and hoses in the vicinity were destroyed.the ins co. Would not cover it and the repair bill was in excess of 10,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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.
Remedy: 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.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, 12% of the model year's 283 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-821 (column shift, Dec 20, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.