VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Ram 3500 electrical system problems

The 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 has 48 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

48

Electrical System complaints

10%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Ram 3500 electrical system complaints by model year52 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 15 complaints1995: 10 complaints1996: 11 complaints1997: 6 complaints1998: 15 complaints1999: 5 complaints2000: 9 complaints2001: 8 complaints2002: 2 complaints2003: 10 complaints2004: 15 complaints2005: 16 complaints2006: 52 complaints2007: 27 complaints2008: 22 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 17 complaints2011: 18 complaints2012: 48 complaints
Ram 3500 electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

16V739000Electrical SystemOctober 13, 2016 · 74,811 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.

Consequence

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

What owners report

“DRIVER SIDE CONTROL FOR POWER WINDOWS/POWER LOCKS - SMOLDERED, SMOKED AND THEN STARTED SMALL FIRE. LOTS OF SMOKE - TO THE POINT WE WERE SICK FROM FUMES. DOORS AND WINDOW POWER OPERATION CEASED. THE ENTIRE CONTROL PANEL MELTED AND NEED TO BE EXTINGUISHED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 7, 2013 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 have?

NHTSA has 48 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 electrical system — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 16V739000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.