There are 34 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2012 Ram 2500in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The exhaust manifold bolts on both sides of the engine warp due to two different metals being put together under heat. Steel and aluminum expand at different temperatures. This causes the bolts to break off of the exhaust manifold creating an exhaust leak into the engine bay. Yes, this can be inspected upon request. The safety of myself and the general public is at risk due to the exhaust leak into the engine bay being pulled into the cab via the heating or airconditioning system. The exhaust fumes are pulled into the cab of the truck via the heating and airconditioning system. When running, the truck has a very noticeable smell inside the cab. It has caused me headaches as well. This poses a risk to the public if the driver were to pass out from said fumes. The problem can be reproduced and is a known issue with Dodge. It is very well documented online that this problem happens to nearly all Dodge Ram trucks. It has never been recalled because Dodge says its not a "safety" concern. This is very much so a safety issue. The components have been inspected by others, and verified as broken. I will not take it to a dealership to have it inspected as they want to charge 150$/hr to diagnose something that even they recognize as a known issue. There were no warning lamps, messages or any visible indication of this problem. A loud ticking noise and a strong smell of exhaust fumes are what brought the issues to attention.
My Dodge Ram 2500, 2012 Hemi engine started making a ticking sound so got a tune up. The machinic changed the spark plugs and distributors around after I complained. Nothing he was able to do enable the truck to function properly. I spoke with the Dodge dealership, the spoken informed me that when Dodge merged with MERCEDE the problem persisted and to this date a fix was not provided. I spoke with other Dodge owner who experience the same problem. The engine was not functioning properly because of internal damage. The cost of repair would cost between $8K and $10K to replace or repair the engine. The dealership stated that NHTSA nor Dodge have provided a fix and that the problem still persist to this day.
Engine has been making a ticking noise on the passenger side for the past few months. The passenger side exhaust manifold warped and broke two bolts in the engine block. This caused an exhaust leak and made the truck run rich due to the leak before oxygen sensor. Fuel efficiency declined. Replaced the exhaust manifold, gasket, and bolts to repair the problem.
The bolts holding the exhaust manifold to the engine cylinder head, are breaking off. This has occurred in the past, on the drivers and passengers side. I had the problem repaired, by a dealer, which required the replacement of the passenger side cylinder head as well. This issue has re-occurred on the drivers side, which has been confirmed by a Ram dealer, as shown in the attached documentation. In every instance, the issue starts with a tapping noise, as the exhaust manifold pulls away from the head. Passengers in my truck have complained about the smell of exhaust fumes, which is a safety and health issue. This truck only has 85,000 miles, yet this is the 3rd incident of this issue occurring.
Exhaust Manifold on passenger side is leaking. It has a broken bolt due to manifold warping. This is causing exhaust to leak into the cab.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *DT*JB
WE TOOK OUR TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A BRAKE RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED, MY DAD WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY TRUCK WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND BLINKING. IT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND WAS HAVING A HARD TIME ACCELERATING. HE GOT THE TRUCK TO MY HOUSE. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE MECHANIC A FEW MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. WHENEVER I WOULD SLOW DOWN THE TRUCK WOULD START SHAKING. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO ACCELERATE AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN AS I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD ACTUALLY GO. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE STUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY BLINKING AND BEEPING. AFTER A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE CAM SHAFT AND LIFTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, THERE WERE MANY FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE IN 2011 AND 2012 DODGE RAM TRUCKS. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK BEFORE IT HAPPENED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,197.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT A SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRUCK FLASHED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT A COUPLE TIMES AND CHIMED, THEN I LOST ALL POWER. THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED, AND I HAD TO MANUALLY GUIDE THE TRUCK OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A PRIVATE DRIVE AND CALL FOR A TOW. I WAS TOLD BY A SHOP THAT THE VALVE SEAT OF CYLINDER 1 FAILED AND BROKE APART INSIDE THE CYLINDER AND DAMAGED THE CYLINDER WHILE ALLOWING OIL INTO THE CYLINDER AS WELL. I AM TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I AM WAITING FOR THE SHOP'S DIAGNOSIS DOCUMENTATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED UNIVERSITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF FLORENCE (LOCATED AT 2354 FLORENCE BLVD, FLORENCE, AL 35630, (256) 766-7324) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EXHAUST FRACTURED CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WIRING AND THE ABS WIRING TO MELT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPES ,THE ABS, AND THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (FUEL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN JANUARY OF 2015. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 08/05/15
Showing 1–20 of 34 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026