The 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,484,088 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
WHEELS21V3980002021-05-27447,985 affected
Defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence
Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were…
EQUIPMENT17V8240002017-12-2161,791 affected
Defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged,…
Consequence
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on…
POWER TRAIN17V8210002017-12-201,482,874 affected
Defect
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. Pushing the brake…
Consequence
Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
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.
Consequence
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
AIR BAGS15V4590002015-07-221,059,444 affected
Defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver…
Consequence
This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler…
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence
If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April…
STEERING13V5270002013-11-0636,151 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market…
POWER TRAIN13V3440002013-08-0685 affected
Defect
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. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer…
Consequence
An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
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. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.
POWER TRAIN13V2390002013-06-045,622 affected
Defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured February 2, 2012, to December 22, 2012. Due to a welding issue with the front axle carrier, the front drive shaft may fracture and result in a loss of motive power and damage to surrounding components if the…
Consequence
Damage to other components, or sudden loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace or repair the front axle assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N26.
Complaints by component
STEERING
18
POWER TRAIN
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7
4fires
ENGINE
3
1fires
AIR BAGS
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
1fires
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
2
SUSPENSION
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
1
Total complaints51
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2012 dodge ram. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle started making noise coming from the engine compartment. The smoke originates from the engine compartment and the exhaust pipe in the rear of the vehicle and when the accelerator was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 5500. While performing maintenance on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was cracked in the rear on both sides near the rear wheels. The vehicle was taken to wickstrom chrysler jeep dodge ram (located at 660 w northwest hwy, barrington, il 60010,…”
“Frame on truck has cracked on both sides just before the rear wheels.”
“The ignition switch is faulty! The switch must be moved around in the switch to start the truck. Additionally while driving the truck may just quite running, this causes the power steering and brakes to become manual. This becomes very dangerous when hauling loads as stopping distances are greatly…”
“2012 dodge 5500. Consumer writes in regards to steering angle sensor and clockspring in the steering column issues and other electrical failures. *ld the consumer stated the electronic functions on the steering wheel were inoperable. This includes the horn and cruise control. The consumer was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 5500. After the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 16v739000 (electrical system), the vehicle stalled without warning on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”
“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…”
“When driving the magnetic key ignition module was shorting out. This caused the truck to loose the majority of drivers control at 65 mph on the highway, then the key would make contact and restart the motor causing convulsions in running. This operating condition almost caused a semi truck to rear…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA19001 Opened 2019-04-19 · closed 2024-09-19
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.