2012 Ram 1500 — Known Issues & Recalls

While driving at 55 mph, the strap holding your front fuel tank broke and the tank dropped below the truck's body. The strap had completely detached from its frame connection point. This is a serious safety concern because the entire fuel tank could have separated from the vehicle, risking fuel leakage, fire, or a collision. You'll need to have the tank strap replaced and the tank securely reattached to the frame.

You discovered that the front fuel tank strap under your vehicle has detached because the frame has rusted too severely for the strap to reattach properly. A recall (U04 / NHTSA 18V-160) exists for this issue, but your vehicle's VIN doesn't show it in the system even though your car meets the recall criteria, so dealers won't help. Your vehicle is currently unsafe to drive due to this safety concern. The fix will likely involve replacing the rusted frame section or welding/repairing it, along with properly reattaching or replacing the fuel tank strap.

You brought your truck to the dealer to complete a fuel bracket recall, but they told you it would cost nearly $1,700 out of pocket because related parts and labor aren't covered under the recall. One of your fuel tank straps has already come loose, which is a safety concern you're currently driving with until this can be fixed. The repair will likely involve removing and reinstalling the fuel tank straps and related components.

Your front gas tank strap has rusted and pulled away from the frame, causing your full gas tank to hang several inches lower than normal and risk dragging on the road. You were apparently eligible for an extended warranty to fix this issue, but you never received notice before it expired. A related recall (NHTSA 18V-160) apparently doesn't apply to your vehicle, though the warranty coverage did. The fix will likely involve replacing the rusted tank strap and reattaching the tank securely to the frame.

While driving on the highway over a bump, you heard a severe grinding noise. You discovered that the front fuel tank strap had pulled away from its welded bracket on the frame because the bracket had rusted through. The loose strap was rubbing against the driveshaft, causing the grinding sound. The welded bracket will need to be repaired or replaced and re-welded to the frame to secure the fuel tank strap properly.

Your vehicle stalled while driving without any warning lights, and then wouldn't restart on the first attempts. After it finally restarted, you noticed the fuel pump kept running even after turning off the engine. A mechanic diagnosed a fuel pump relay failure and said the TIPM (totally integrated power module) needed replacement. This appears to be a known issue with this vehicle model.

Your fuel tank strap has corroded, which could potentially allow the fuel tank to shift or become unstable while driving. Your dashboard warning light didn't alert you to this problem. When you took your truck to the dealer, they couldn't repair it because there's no official recall on your vehicle's VIN, even though this issue may be related to a known fuel system problem affecting other Ram 1500s. The corrosion repair will likely involve replacing the fuel tank strap and possibly treating any rust damage to prevent future corrosion.

Your fuel tank strap corroded and detached from your truck while driving, causing loud noises and metal striking sounds. The dealer inspected the vehicle but didn't diagnose or repair the problem. The fuel tank strap will need to be replaced, and the area should be inspected for any damage caused by the detachment.

Your fuel tank's right front strap detached from the vehicle body and was dragging on the ground while driving at 50 MPH, leaving the fuel tank unsecured. You may have heard an abnormal thud but continued driving without noticing a warning light. Although the manufacturer has a program to repair fuel tank straps damaged by rust, your vehicle wasn't covered under it. The repair will likely involve reattaching or replacing the fuel tank mounting straps and inspecting for any damage.

You heard a loud knocking sound while driving, and mechanics found that both the front and rear fuel tank straps were damaged — the front strap was completely detached and the rear strap was cracked. Your fuel tank wasn't properly supported, which is a safety concern. The repair involves replacing both damaged fuel tank straps to securely reattach your fuel tank.

Your 2012 Ram 1500 ST with a 4.7-liter engine and 9.25 rear differential may have a loose pinion nut, which is a known recall issue for this year and model. You're experiencing a whining noise from the rear that gets louder when accelerating and vibration, which are typical symptoms of this problem. The dealership told you your truck's VIN doesn't match the recall eligibility dates, but you found conflicting information online suggesting it should qualify. The dealership won't confirm whether the recall covers your truck without a $300–400 diagnostic fee upfront, which they say you'd have to pay if your truck doesn't qualify. The fix would likely involve the dealership inspecting and tightening or replacing the pinion nut in the rear differential.

Your truck is making a ticking noise from the engine, which is caused by poorly made bolts on the exhaust manifold that loosen or break. When this happens, the manifold can warp or crack, allowing exhaust fumes to leak into your cabin. This is a safety concern that needs prompt attention. The fix will involve replacing the exhaust manifold bolts with higher-quality parts and potentially replacing the manifold itself if it's damaged.

Your Ram 1500 may develop a loud howling and whining sound from the rear axle that gets progressively worse over time. A dealer diagnosed this as a faulty rear axle pin that could potentially cause the wheels to lock up, creating a safety hazard. The repair will likely involve replacing the rear axle pin and possibly inspecting the entire rear differential assembly.

Your differential is making a scraping sound, which suggests the pinion gear may be damaged or worn. This noise typically indicates internal wear in the differential that needs inspection. A mechanic will likely need to inspect or rebuild the differential to address the pinion gear issue.

While driving at 65 mph, your check engine light started flashing and your truck unexpectedly slowed down and shook when you pressed the accelerator. A mechanic found that cylinder #2 was misfiring due to failed lifters and a damaged camshaft, which allowed metal pieces to get inside the engine. Your engine needs to be replaced because of this internal damage.

Your engine failed at 119,000 miles due to a lifter that broke, which also damaged the camshaft and spread metal shavings throughout the engine. You likely noticed a loud ticking noise, engine misfires, and worse fuel economy starting around 106,000 miles. The engine had to be completely replaced because of the internal damage caused by the failed lifter and metal contamination.

Your truck is randomly shutting off while you're driving at highway speeds, and this has happened multiple times. This is a serious safety issue since you lose engine power while moving at high speeds. The problem could be related to the electrical system, but the exact cause needs to be diagnosed by a mechanic.

Your brake line rusted and broke, causing all your brake fluid to leak out. When you tried to drive the truck, the brakes failed completely and went to the floor. You were able to safely pull over in your yard before losing all braking ability. The broken brake line will need to be replaced and the brake system will need to be flushed and refilled with fresh fluid.

Your truck stalled while driving without any warning lights, and it eventually restarted but the problem happened again. On another occasion, the engine stalled right after you released the key fob, so you taped the key to the vehicle to keep it running—but then the windows, turn signals, heater, A/C, and hazard lights all stopped working. The electrical and engine issues appear to be connected to how the vehicle is receiving power or responding to the ignition system.

Your truck experienced steering and braking problems caused by faulty wiring in the engine harness, which you discovered through online videos. You paid $3,000 to have a mechanic rewire the engine, but the problem still isn't fully resolved. The dealership refused to help, claiming they addressed it years ago. This repair should have been covered by Dodge/Chrysler as a manufacturer defect.