The Lemon Index2012 Ram 1500.
The 2012 Ram 1500 is worse than average by owner complaints: 602 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 190, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Worse than average. 1.9× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2000
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2009–2018 Ram 1500, 22.7M views. The 2012 is the same truck.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.5M views
RAM Key fob Not Working / Responding **Quick Fix**- 2016 Ram 1500MJ Altairy · 431K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Adjust/Aim Headlights on a 2009–2018 Ram 1500/2500/3500 (DIY)LethalGarage · 484K views · 5 videos - Steering & suspension1.0M views
How to Install a 2012-2014 Ram 1500 4-Inch Suspension Lift KitRough Country · 469K views · 8 videos - Oil changes & service659K views
100k Mile Service Ram 1500 Truck 4th Gen 2008-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 579K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4624K views
How to Replace Front CV Axles 2011-2018 Ram 15001A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 357K views · 5 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers613K views
How to Replace The Lifters and Camshaft on a 2013 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi (Every Step in 30 Minutes!)Jack Fletcher · 613K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors498K views
How to Replace Camshaft Sensor 2011-2018 RAM 1500TRQ · 219K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank415K views
RAM 1500 Gas Tank REMOVAL - DIY - 2009-2018BoostedMotorsports · 361K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ram Truck 1500 4th Generation 2009-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 2.6M views
2010 Ram 1500 250,000 miles - reliability reviewReagan Hughes · 91K views
Top 5 Problems Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 2003-2009 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 71K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,347 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ram 1500 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 100K miles on the car (815 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 14K–68K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 52K–124K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 57K–110K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 368 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Advanced Field Action Communication ?
- A/C Compressor This applies to 2015 and 2016 UF and PF
- Hands Free Module - CTM ?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Waiting for 2 months for recall deemed unsafe to drive.
2012 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10639652
More owner reports
Left tie rod broke when trying to turn left. Have been on a waiting list to get part replaced for months upon receipt of the recall notice.
NHTSA complaint 10593750
Received first recall and called dealer and was told I was put on their list to have fixed. Called back a few times and was told I am still on there list. I just received another recall for the same thing and still not fixed.
NHTSA complaint 10606748
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Ram 1500 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 190; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2012 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (53%), engine (10%) and transmission & drivetrain (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ram 1500 have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ram 1500 get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 63,500 miles, from 815 complaints.
Does the 2012 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Ram 1500 have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works