10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,692 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ram 2500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jun 172024

2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Recall T79 or 17V-821 or break transmission shift pin stuck in open position. This is the 2nd time this has happened and serious damage has occurred to the vehicle. Dodge won't do anything about it. Vehicle was parked, turned off, no key. I came out of building and it shifted into gear on its own and rolled backwards into a pole.

- Silver Bay, MN, USA

problem #32

Jul 222023

2500

  • 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled away. The contact was standing near the vehicle with the key fob. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

- York, PA, USA

problem #31

Sep 202020

2500

  • 240,000 miles
My wife and I were going down the highway at 75 mph when there was a sudden vibration then a loud bang, and there was something hitting underneath the floor. I was able to get in the breakdown lane. I looked underneath the truck and the front drive shaft was missing and most of the transfer case. I went back and cleaned all the stuff off the road. Also after further examination there was a large hole in the transmission housing from the front drive shaft hitting it and the brake lines and other lines and hoses in the vicinity were destroyed.the ins co. Would not cover it and the repair bill was in excess of 10,000.

- Newburyport, MA, USA

problem #30

Apr 022019

2500

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the rear axles seized and the rear tires slid while operating the vehicle. The vehicle slid off the road due to the failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact was a mechanic and diagnosed that the vehicle needed a fill plug and new gear oil. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact did not have the proper fill cover for the fill plug. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Griswaold, CT, USA

problem #29

Jan 242018

2500

  • 132,000 miles
I own a 2012 Ram 2500 6 speed manual transmission with 130 thousand miles on it first. I was driving down on an interstate in dan antonio going around 70 mph when I hear and feel a bad vibration. I start to slow down when I hear a loud bang and feel something hit the floorboard. It hit so hard the pens I had next to the shifter flew to the backseat. I immediately lose my clutch (slave cylinder was smashed) and I limp it to the side of the road. I make it to the shoulder put my flashers and turn the truck off. I get out and my front drive shaft is completely gone and so is half of my transfer case along with the slave cylinder to work my clutch. My fuel and brake lines are intact but are pulled down below the frame. I inform my insurance immediately, and they come out to inspect it, and say it was mechanical. Since I didn't have mechanical coverage on my full coverage there is nothing they will do. I have my mechanic look at it and say the vibration caused my bolts that hold the front drive shaft to the front differential sheared off and the shaft got lodged into the ground causing it to break the transfer case in half. From what I've been told this is more of an issue than Ram wants to lead on. Transfer cases are hard to get ahold of same as the drive shaft. So far I have gotten the slave cylinder master cylinder replaced for 150 dollars. I've been quoted upwards to 2000 dollars for a remanufactured transfer case. Since they don't come with the motor that is another 300 dollars. Then the front drive shaft cost around 700 to 750 dollars. To pay my mechanic for the work he is going to do it for 500 dollars. A total of 3650 with another 150 to tow it back from the shop since my insurance refused to do that for me. A total of 3800 dollars because the cv joint went out without any warnings signs.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #28

Sep 252018

2500

  • 150,000 miles
Truck will shut off while driving. Sometimes will start back up a second later, sometimes need to bring it to a full stop, to restart the truck. It will do it at random no matter weather type of driving, it will just do it.

- Grandville, MI, USA

problem #27

Aug 222018

2500

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Heard clunking noise while shifting between reverse/drive. Took to dealer and they said they couldn't find anything. Now it is out of warranty and the noise is so loud I am afraid to drive it. It only has 65000 miles but it is over on time by one year. Sounds like it is from the transfer case area.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

problem #26

Jul 272018

2500

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated and the gear shifter failed to shift into park. The contact used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to landers Chevrolet of norman (1221 ed noble pkwy, norman, ok 73072, 405-321-7021), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that she was unaware of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel), 15V459000 (air bags),and 17V821000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Blanchard, OK, USA

problem #25

Dec 252017

2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17V821000 (power train) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. The dealer (larry H. miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram boise, 222 S auto drive, boise, id 83709) confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Manpa, ID, USA

problem #24

May 052018

2500

  • 58,500 miles
Vehicles transmission will default into 4th gear. At 75 mph on the freeway, my truck began lurching and the RPM fluctuated then the transmission downshifted on its own and would not shift from 4th gear. I limped the truck to my destination, and contacted Ram customer care who put me in touch with my local dealer. Still waiting on the appointment to have my transmission checked. Note that I could not manually shift the transmission up or down either. I was stuck in 4th gear, at 75mph.

- Port Neches, TX, USA

problem #23

Dec 202017

2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V821000 (power train) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (ruge's Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 6882 U.S. 9, rhinebeck, NY 12572, (845) 876-1057) confirmed part unavailability and was unable to verify when the part would be supplied from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted to determine if they could verify when the part would be supplied to the dealer due to the contact being unable to trade in the vehicle. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Clinton Corners, NY, USA

problem #22

Mar 062018

2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V821000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer stated that the part was not available and there was no estimated date as to when the remedy would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #21

Feb 072018

2500

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. While starting the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal sound and transmission fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (ryan Chrysler Dodge Jeep, 1212 2nd St w, williston, nd 58801), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V562000 (engine and engine cooling), but the vehicle was not included in the model year for the recall. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Williston, ND, USA

problem #20

Jan 092018

2500

  • 98,032 miles
I was driving my 2012 Ram 2500 cummins down the interstate at 70-75 mph. There was a loud explosion followed by multiple violent sounds coming from the bottom of the vehicle just below my feet. The floor board below my feet was pushed upward nearly 1 foot from the drive train components slamming into the cab until I could get pulled over. The drivetrain nearly penetrated into the cab. I was able to get the truck stopped on the shoulder. After looking under the truck the transfer case had exploded leaving metal components all over the interstate. The explosion has caused from early estimates 15-25K in damages. The transfer case, transmission, driveshafts, brake lines, wiring harnesses, emissions components among other parts are completely ruined. The truck may be totaled. The truck is still under warranty and Chrysler isn't being very helpful. Thankfully there were no injuries but that might not be the case next time.

- Boaz, KY, USA

problem #19

Dec 222017

2500

  • 101,291 miles
With brake peddle depressed, was unable to shift out of park.

- Strasburg, CO, USA

problem #18

Nov 032016

2500

  • 98,000 miles
While traveling S/B on route 17 in New Jersey at approximately 55 mph I heard a loud grinding noise coming from under my truck and then suddenly my front wheels of my truck locked up and I skidded to a complete stop. The truck was unable to move forward or back and I had to get a tow to a Dodge dealership on route 4 in New Jersey. Dodge repaired the front axle saying it was a recall of which I did not receive any notice, also suresky Dodge in goshen, New York always serviced my vehicle since I purchased it new in 2012, they never notified me of such recall.

- Goshen, NY, USA

problem #17

Jun 172017

2500

  • 89,000 miles
Have a shake in the truck! have taken it in many time to be fixed! for four years have heard it normal to you will have to live with it. Finally after 6 or 7 dealer one decided it would open it up. The hooked it up to this machine that would tell them were it's coming from. They tell me the only thing they can find is a trans mount. So after that they open the rear end they had to rebuild it. Then they had to put all new from rear end up to the engine while power train. It still had a shake! then they got an ok to open the engine from Chrysler. So they adjusted the value lash. O almost forgot the dealer had my truck 7 months to fix the problem. So when I picked it up from szott M-59 on Thursday at around 7 pm and buy Saturday morning truck is on fire in drive way at about 9 am. I drove it on Friday, I parked it by 4 pm. So it was off for about 17 hours or so. Have no idea why there was a fire. Really would like to no what happen. Hearing that there is a problem with alternator. But with the dealer taking of the top of the motor off to readjust the valve lash.I think they had to take of the wire harness and battery cables to work in it. Would love to find out what went wrong!!!!!!!!!! the truck was in driveway facing South wind was coming from the South. Temp out side warm. Truck was shut off around 4pm fri. Fire looked like it started on driver side. Looked like battery area is were the fire started driver side. I have to much paper work to send!!!!

- Allenton, MI, USA

problem #16

Jul 062016

2500

  • 40,000 miles
Front end vibration loose steering. Over 60mph very bad vibrating almost feels as if the truck was being pushed one way and going the other. Braking also causes the steering to wooble or pull depending on the speed, when hitting bumps in the road way is the worst I never know where I may end up. All highway and turning into companies I use it as a sales vehical

- Saint Martinville, LA, USA

problem #15

Jun 292016

2500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,989 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the transmission shifted into a lower gear without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was cycled off and on for the vehicle to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the solenoid pack on the outside of the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,989. Updated 11/01/16

- Westerlo, NY, USA

problem #14

Mar 042016

2500

  • 31,000 miles
The transfer case of the truck broke suddenly and since I was driving at 75 miles, the rotation of the metal parts keep going and broke mayor parts under the rucks such as transmition, suspension, oil lines, diesel lines, and much and much more even made a hole under the cabin. The part under the truck just look like something exploded because the damage is too big. Even beyond repair for me.

- Hobbs, NM, USA

Read the next 13 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?