Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. While driving 30 MPH, the tie rod separated and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle away from roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V527000 (steering), 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel), and 15V459000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was notified that the vehicle was remedied according to NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V527000 (steering) and 15V459000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,386.
After picking up the 5500 with the service deck fitted immediately noticed handling was poor. Steering the vehicle requires drivers full attention as truck does not self center after curves. If you can get it going straight and hold the wheel steady it will suddenly start to drift right or left, forcing you to correct steering and thus start the wandering side to side which seems to get the back end whipping side to side as well. In a short half hour drive it is impossible to keep the truck in your lane providing the driver with some very tense driving. This truck is not over the manufacturers gvw. When towing a heavy trailer it seems to calm the wandering down slightly. The dealer has tried a new steering box on the truck that did improve steering for a couple of weeks but nothing has cured the problem with multiple dealer visits over the last year. …
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 for the problem and fixed one recall which was to replace steering linkage that was done but did nothing nothing to fix my hard steering and not returning to center steering problem .I have been waiting almost a week for a call back from Dodge customer car now. There is still a recall on front axle welds that has not been taken care of because of lack of parts that I have tried to take care of on numerous occasions ?
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and approaching an exit, the front driver's side wheel began wobbling. The contact stopped the vehicle and found that the wheel bearing was exposed and the front driver's side tire had detached from the wheel well. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced the driver's side tie rod, axle and brake pads. The contact inquired about the vehicle being included in NHTSA campaign id number: 13V527000 (steering) but was advised that the failure was not associated to the recall. Additionally, the parts needed to perform the recall service were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36784.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at different speeds, the vehicle would not stay in the lane and the steering pulled left and right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing where the technician stated that the steering box needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred days later and was taken to the dealer for another diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 580.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and the front driver side of the vehicle began to drag onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the front driver side outer tie rod assembly fractured. The tie rod assembly was previously replaced by an independent mechanic one month prior to this failure. NHTSA campaign number: 13V527000 (steering) was related to the recall, but the remedy was not currently available. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a Dodge 2012 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while exiting the highway at approximately 25 MPH, the ABS brake light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and diagnosed that the driver's side wheel bearings needed replacing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 13V527000 (steering). The contact had experienced the failure before being able to have the recall service performed due to a lack of parts. The approximate failure mileage was 45743.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel became unstable and spun around uncontrollably. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod assembly fractured. In addition, the vehicle was unable to be serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V527000 (steering) due to the part not being available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,844.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) and 13V527000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
Remedy: 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…
Steering complaints in other Ram 5500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500, 53% of the model year's 40 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-527 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 40% 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.