2012 Dodge RAM 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · MO · fire

While the vehicle was sitting in the driveway not running, the back of the headlight caught on fire. There wasn't any incedents (e.i. any collision, repairs) prior to the indecent. It is available for inspection. No dealership report yet, but have an appointment with local dealership Tuesday to get an itemized estimate for the repairs.

Filed Dec 8, 2024 · Electrical · KY · fire

The truck was sitting at home in the driveway (untouched) for 3 days. Suddenly smoke began to appear from under the hood and within minutes, the engine compartment burst into flames. Because of the fire, smoke and water damage, the vehicle was considered a total loss by the insurance company. The fire marshal advised that the fire started in the vicinity of the passenger side starter battery. It is thought the fire originated from the battery or the grid heater relay that is very near the passenger side battery. The fire also damaged a nearby RV that experienced smoke and heat damage. It was a very intense fire. There were no open recalls on this vehicle and no recent maintenance work performed.

Filed Feb 12, 2024 · Electrical · MS · fire

Fuse box caught on fire while driving

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 95,700 miles · NY · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated when the vehicle was turned off and in park, he accidentally bumped the gear shit lever and the vehicle slipped out of park (P) without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact stated that he had attempted to set numerous appointments with a local dealer but was unable to set an appointment for the vehicle. Additionally, while driving approximately 55 MPH the contact stated that he began to smell a burning plastic odor. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact observed that smoke was being emitted from the defroster vents on the top of the dash board. The contact stated that he pulled off of the roadway and shut the vehicle off. The contact stated as he exited the vehicle he observed pieces of burning melted plastic were dripping from under the dash and onto the vehicle floor carpets. The contact stated he called the fire department. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames with a chemical fire extinguisher. The contact stated that the dash board and the right front passenger side were burned by the flames. There was extensive damage to the dashboard. The contact stated that the police also arrived but was not sure if a report had been written. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that prior to the fire the contact had been smelling a burnt plastic smell when using the heater/defroster. The failure mileage was approximately 95,700. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 3, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 220,000 miles · WI

Burning smell through vents

Filed Jan 23, 2020 · Transmission · 205,892 miles · WV

I had noticed that my truck was riding rough. I took it in to the garage where it does get serviced and found out that my passenger side axle shaft, axle bearing, axle seal, brake caliper,brake rotor and brake pads all had to be replaced. It looked like the entire side had been set on fire. Garage told me they were glad I brought it in when I did because I was about to lose all control and would have had a terrible crash.

Filed Sep 26, 2018 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · MI · fire

On friday 6/29/2018 at about 5:00 pm I was driving home on northbound I -75 and m-59 in heavy traffic when the truck pulled to the left and I noticed puff of white smoke coming from under the hood. I got off at the university exit and pulled into a parking spot. I turned the truck off and opened the hood. It was a really hot day and I couldn't tell where to odder or smoke had coming from. The check engine light did not come on. I drove it straight to milosch's palace. They thought the front left caliber was locked up.mileage was 79,802 on the odometer. They said it just happens sometimes. The rotors and brake pads had been replaced in november 2017. Milosch's palace replaced the caliper, rotor, pads and ABS sensor harness that malted. The didn't replace the bearing hub or caliper mounting bracket. On august 18th I took in to caseville michigan and the drivers side front wheel got hot again. I had to have it towed to tubbs brother on august 21st. The mileage was 80,507 on the odometer. The repair bill came to $2,031.73. I picked the truck up on september 6th.the mechanic replaced the driver's side bearing hub. He said the brake line failed (collapsed) and caused the brake to pads to stick. I told him to replace the bearing and check the other lines and flush the system. On september 23rd 2018 I went to pull my boat out of the lake for the season and drove it 12 miles and now the rear drivers side brake is overheating. The vehicle has about 80,600 miles on it.

Filed Mar 26, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 83,000 miles · FL · fire

2012 dodge ram 1500 express 2wd / 2 door truck. On march 21, 2018 at 9:00 am, I had a fire in the center of my steering wheel by my airbag. I took the truck to the dealer and they told me that my entire electrical wire harness caught on fire for no apparent reason. I called my insurance company and they told me they will only cover normal wear and tear. I believe this is a assembly and manufacturing issue with these vehicles now made in mexico by inexperience and incompetent people working at chryslers new manufacturing plant for cheap foreign slave labor in mexico. The entire wire harness from my steering wheel all the way to my engine through the fire wall needs to be replaced now costing me well over $2200.00. The main wire harness is now a lot thinner wires and not protected from coming into heat or contact and weather conditions in the engine area. My main electrical wire harness in my truck caught on fire on me on wednesday march 21, 2018 at 9:00 am. I just wanted to report this issue to you.

Filed Feb 21, 2018 · 53,000 miles · NY · fire

Truck went up in flames after about a 15 minute warm up and was stationary and is a total loss. *tt

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · KY

When I was driving on the interstate I had to stop suddenly for a another vehicle who had cut me off and I had problems with the right front brake sticking and causing friction and a burning smell...this has been an off and on problem when ever I have to suddenly stop. I had had the oil changed and tires rotated but was told by the service tech there was nothing wrong with the brake.

Filed Aug 13, 2014 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · PA · fire

On july 8, 2014 my 2012 ram 1500 caught fire while parked in my driveway at home. The vehicle was last operated on the evening of july 7, 2014. At approximately noon on july 8, 2014 while working on my computer inside my house I detected the odor of burning plastic. I assume it was initially originating from inside my house. After investigating I walked outside and found that the interior of my truck was on fire. I put out the fire and immediately called the local fire department who responded to ensure that the fire was completely out. I immediately contacted my insurance company in addition to the local dealer, jeff d'amborsio auto group, I spoke with the service manager who in turn contacted his regional manager for guidance. I received a letter date july 10, 2014 from the chrysler customer claims resolution group advising they were in the process of reviewing my file. I was contacted by the resolution group and advised the file was being turned over to a group, isg, for further investigation in resolution. Chrysler arranged to have the vehicle towed on july 12, 2014 to the jeff d' ambrosio dealership where a representative from chrysler was to inspect the vehicle. That inspection took place on tuesday, july 15th. The origin of the fire according to the insurance company fire investigator originated in the passenger side door panel and resulted in total damages of $23,000 which the insurance company deemed a total loss. My insurance company settled a claim by paying off the loan balance of $19,500 and submitted a check to me for the excess to cover the value of the vehicle. Unfortunately I am not provided results of the investigation performed at the dealership by the representative from chrysler. The case number assigned by chrysler [xxx]. As of today, august 13 I have no resolution directly from chrysler. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 15, 2013 · Body, Engine · 1,200 miles · MO · fire

The truck was parked the night before at approximately 7:15pm and at approximately 2:30am my wife woke to something popping outside and her 2012 ram was outside on fire. It caught my 2005 dodge ram 3500 on fire also, and eventually burnt our home down.