Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Ram 1500

EPA MPG: NA

Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2012 1500 is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.

Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2012 Ram 1500 owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Exhaust manifold

"loose manifold bolts. always on startup. no action taken yet."

Anonymous, AK (2012 Ram 1500 Sport 5.7-L V8)
Other/unsure

"Power steering pump went out 3 times"

Anonymous, WI (2012 Ram 1500 Unsure 5.7-L V8)

"Fuel tank strap failed from rot."

Anonymous, MA (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Calipers

"Caliper froze and ruined the brakes and rotors"

Anonymous, PA (2012 Ram 1500 Sport 5.7-L V8)

"Cliper froze closed and burned rotor and pads"

Anonymous, (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)
Regular brake failure

"Brakes started to squeal knew it was time for a complete set of new brakes front and rear."

Anonymous, NY (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

What Owners Say

Cylinder head

"Roller rocker failed. It was replaced under warranty."

Anonymous, IN (2012 Ram 1500 ST 5.7-L V8)
Engine rebuild or replacement

"long time use of "eco mode" (4 of 8 cylinders are deactivated) caused valve rocker, push rods and camshaft excessive wear and ultimate irreparable damage. engine was replaced."

Anonymous, WA (2012 Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7-L V8)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

Cruise control

"Cruise control fails intermitently."

Anonymous, CA (2012 Ram 1500 Unsure 5.7-L V8)
Keyless entry

"The price of keyless entry fobs is extreme. The keyless entry mechanism for the driver's door fails."

Anonymous, CA (2012 Ram 1500 Unsure 5.7-L V8)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

Blower (fan) motor

"The AC blower failed to turn on for the air conditioner causing it to not work."

Anonymous A., NM (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)
Evaporator

"This is the first real issue I have had with this pickup. I contribute to age. It cost about $1800 to fix the evaporator and replace a new heater coil. Drive and works like new."

Anonymous, OK (2012 Ram 1500 ST 5.7-L V8)

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Ball joints

"I had to replace the ball joints starting with the lower ones then ended up having to fix all of them including upper ones."

Anonymous A., NM (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)
Wheel bearings

"Bearing wear is very extensive. Replaced both front bearings 3 times each in the last 100000 miles."

Anonymous, TX (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"3rd brake light leaking water into cab"

Anonymous, PA (2012 Ram 1500 Sport 5.7-L V8)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

What Owners Say

Spark plugs or wires failure

"wire to one of the sparkplugs failed"

Anonymous, KY (2012 Ram 1500 Unsure 5.7-L V8)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

What Owners Say

Other driveline problem

"The main drive belt broke and left me unable to steer the truck. Almost caused me to wreck it."

Anonymous, VA (2012 Ram 1500 Sport 5.7-L V8)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Fuel leaks

"Brackets supporting gas tank too corroded to hold up gas tank completely Had to replace tank because of leak caused by the rear half tank hitting a speed bump"

Anonymous, NY (2012 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7-L V8)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

2012 Pickup Trucks Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Ram vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
* Redesign year
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11*
12
13*
14
15
16
17
18
19*
20
21
22
23
24
25*
Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes, to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
Change Vehicle