Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The WIN Module for the ignition system on my truck is faulty. There has been several time where I'm driving down the highway and the vehicle just shuts off completely. This disables my power steering and brakes. So I either have to shift into neutral and try to start the engine while rolling with a trailer hooked on behind me with no road shoulders to pull off on or if shoulders on road pull off and try to restart the truck then again. There has also been times when I start the truck that the dash lights just flash or the truck starts for a second and then shuts off again on its own with the key still turned to run. The dealer said that this has been happening a lot on these trucks and there is no recall for it. In my opinion this is a major safety hazard for myself and others traveling on the road.
My key fob ignition switch is going bad. The 1st time I noticed is when I was pulling my camper on vacation and the truck just shut off all the lights everything. I safely pulled over and then I tried to start it and it wouldn't start.. I then wiggled the key and then it started. I talk to other people that own rams and they say they have the same problem. So I talked to the dealer and they said the only thing they can do is replace the Ignition. Which could cost more than $600. Now I would think being that this is quite a common thing that Chrysler would take care of the problem before somebody gets hurt or even killed from their vehicle shouting off and not knowing what to do. There are videos on YouTube on how to Terra park and clean the Ignition but I don't think that is a good idea.
While pulling a trailer, integrated trailer brake controller stopped working and disabled the trailer brakes. All trailer lights worked, just no brakes. Showed red warning in dash and "CF" on brake controller after failure. No warning before failure. Checked connections and tested with another trailer. Even with no trailer, warning is on and trailer brakes are not functional. Created hazard to driver and other motorists by spontaneous loss of brakes. Online forums indicate this is not an isolated incident. More recently, now the trailer running lights have failed. Brake and turn signal lights work, but no running lights. No police report of inspections. Not yet repaired. Available for inspection.
The ignition shuts off when you hit a slight bump or touch the key. This is even when driving! The truck shuts off and losses complete power, brakes, steering and lights! This is a huge problem after Googling this is happening on 2009- 2019 ram truck models. We have had near misses while pulling a horse trailer and 5th wheel! This should be a recall it's very dangerous! Checking dodge Chrysler is aware of this issue because the 2020 models have different win modules and fobs. HELP
The key loses contact and vehicle shuts off at random times. The vehicle is not able to be steered when shut off happens. Could very easily cause an accident. It has happened driving on the highway at highway speeds and also on county roads driving slower. There are no warning messages. I have inspected it myself and believe the ignition box needs replaced
The wireless ignition module loses connection internally and the truck will lose power while driving. It usually happens when hitting a small bump and the key in the ignition moves. Truck loses electrical power which shuts the engine off which means loss of power steering and brakes.
Vehicle will, at random, completely lose all power while driving unexpectedly. There seems to be no cause that precipitates this loss of power. During the night, it is extremely dangerous, because the lights and everything go out.
At approximately 11:30 pm, I heard a vehicle horn honking outside in the driveway. Got out of bed to investigate. Observed my 2102 Ram 3500 diesel truck with lights on and flashing and horn was honking. Keys for truck were in the house. Went outside with keys and tried key-less entry fob to open the cab door with no success. Smelled smoke. Opened drivers side door with regular key to see lights on dashboard all lit up. Opened the hood to see lots of smoke and observed glowing wiring harness next to driver's side battery. Harness was glowing orange all the way from the firewall to the fuse box (power distribution module) next to battery. Went into garage to get wrenches and fire extinguisher. Disconnected driver side battery but the electrical harness was still glowing orange and smoking. …
Vehicle was parked for the weekend in my driveway and on Monday morning about to leave for work the truck started cranking over. The truck was locked and the keys were inside my house. Being a standard while it was cranking it was heading in reverse. No visual flames were seen but heavy white smoke was pouring out from under the hood. Had to use manual key to unlock the door and put truck in neutral, I then rolled the truck down my driveway and then unhooked the 2 batteries and smoking stopped. After things cleared I could see burnt/melted plug ends from wiring harness to fuse box. The truck has been at dealership for (6) weeks now. End of week 5 they got it to start up but nothing on the computer past the firewall reads. To date they have replaced (3) wiring harnesses, the fuse box and a cluster and still at a loss at why computer will not read anything. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied with the engine off, the totally integrated power module caught fire. The contact stated that they key was not in the ignition at the time of the failure. The contact noticed that the headlights were flashing, the horn was beeping, and smoke appeared under the hood. The contact was able to unlock the vehicle doors manually, open the hood, and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. A police and a fire report were not filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The collision center inspected the vehicle and found that the totally integrated power module was burnt. The collision center replaced the totally integrated power module and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 164,928.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, 12% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-739 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 13, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.