2012 Dodge RAM 3500 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

35Engine complaints

9.6%Of all 365 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

STEERING220 · 60.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM43 · 11.8%

ENGINE35 · 9.6%

SUSPENSION32 · 8.8%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM29 · 7.9%

Share of the 365 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 overview page.

What owners report

“I PULL A LIGHT WEIGHT 40' GOOSENECK TRAILER, AND WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE DROPPED TREMENDOUSLY AND THE COOLANT TEMP STAYED AROUND 220DEG…”NHTSA complaint 10555154 — filed 12/07/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500: 35 of 365 complaints on file (9.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 have in total?

365 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 3 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.