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 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was parked; however, upon inspection, the contact became aware that there were damages on top of the front driver's side ball joint, the rear driver's side axle leaf spring shackle, and the driver's side overload spring. Additionally, there were metal fragments found in the engine oil, and a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0087, P0471, U029D. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
Driving my 2012 dodge ram 3500, just as I was crossing one of the busiest intersections in my town my truck lost all power and dropped from 35mph to 5 mph. Barley made it acrossed and pulled over. As soon as I pulled over the engine light comes on, checked code, and U010C lost coms with turbo actuator comes up. Turned truck off and rest code and everything back to normal. About a week later it happened again, luckily not as busy of a spot. Called dealer and soonest appointment was in April. Meanwhile I look up code and see hundreds of post for same issue, bad actuator replace. 28 years as a diesel mechanic for the military, so I found the part online and ordered. Replaced the actuator, drove about 50 miles, light comes back on. Finally get my appointment with dealer and they say my turbo is bad, they want $8k to fix. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving approximately 70 MPH and towing a 2017 wood deck trailer fmcw-11000-20s, the contact heard a banging noise underneath the floorboard. Suddenly, the front drive shaft and transfer case separated and blew up. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and was informed that his hubcap fell off. While attempting to shift the gear into drive, the gear shifter failed. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that fluid leaked onto the ground from underneath the vehicle and that the transfer case and drive shaft were gone. …
The 1st time this happened was as I was rounding a corner, onto a road I was turning onto. I pushed on the throttle pedal and nothing happened. The pedal was dead !!! After 2-3 seconds of holding the pedal down, the engine came to life and sped up. Sense then, this has happened more frequently. When starting from a stop light, going around corners and curves. It happens after leaving off the throttle, before passing, then a dead pedal trying to speed up to pass. This is specially dangerous when I am pulling my 5th wheel trailer and need the power to help control the truck and trailer !! Having the cruse control on or off seems not to make a difference. After pressing and getting a dead throttle, the power comes back, after holding the pedal down for a few to several seconds. This May cause an accident, by a possible rear-end accident from another vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked and the rear end vibrated. The contact also stated that the front end was vibrating while driving at any speed. As a result of the failure, the tires were replaced on four occasions. The contact stated that under the manifold intake that there was an exhaust leak and there was a fuel odor. In addition, the fuel gauge failed to function. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that an abnormal popping noise was heard coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000. The VIN was not available.
Turned key on, put gear selector into n position. Allowed truck to roll forward, downhill 12". Tried to put into park and it continued to roll down the driveway. I had started to open the door to get out as it started to roll. Tried several times to put it into park by several different methods, I.e. Engine running, not running, reversed prior steps etc. Repair shop said something is broken inside the transmission. They stated it will have to be torn apart to find the problem, most likely a complete rebuild? We just got back from a vacation hauling a 38' 17,000# 5th wheel rv. What if this had happened on the hills at senica lake ohio campground? Many people could have been injured or killed! At a bear minimum there should be a warning posted to set emergency brake before putting into park, every single time!
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 20 MPH over a bump in the road, the vehicle bounced up and down approximately twenty times. In addition, the power steering and the brakes failed. The contact maneuvered off the road and shut off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering bar fractured and the four wheel drive failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. While driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise occurred, the vehicle lost power, and became uncontrollable. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the transfer case shattered and was on the ground. Also, the front and rear driveshafts were detached. The vehicle was towed to a transmission shop where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
While driving truck, throttle light starts flashing, engine light comes on and lightening bolt comes up. Car then loses all power and it dies. No notice. Very scary. Could cause serious or fatality accident since there is no notice and it just goes from 60 - 0. Dealer has had the truck in half a dozen times and still cannot fix the issue. Chrysler has given me case manager, but they cannot figure it out either. They have tried a few different things, but it is not fixing the issue. Now dealer says they dont know what it is and they do not know how to fix it.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: 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.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, 8% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is axle assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-821 (column shift, Dec 20, 2017); NHTSA recall 13V-344 (automatic transmission, Aug 6, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
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.