2012 Dodge RAM 1500 suspension problems

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Suspension · CA

**Subject: URGENT VEHICLE SAFETY CONCERN — Steering Failure, Track Bar Bracket/Frame Damage, and Risk to Family Safety — 2012 Ram 2500** To Ram Customer Care and the Vehicle Safety Team, I am requesting immediate attention to a serious safety concern involving my 2012 Ram 2500 4×4 with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine. This is not simply a complaint about suspension performance or the cost of repairing an older truck. My concern is the history of steering and suspension failures that could put the driver, passengers, children, and other road users at risk. The factory drag link broke in half while I was driving down a steep hill. That was a frightening and dangerous experience. The truck also had problems while it was still at stock suspension height. I believed the stock suspension was responsible, which is why I later installed an aftermarket lift. The lift was an attempt to address the problem, not the beginning of the problem, based on my experience. The truck now experiences severe wobbling under braking, and the front track bar bracket appears to be pulling away from or tearing out of the frame. I am concerned about the integrity of the steering and front suspension mounting points and the possibility of losing control of the vehicle. **My family’s safety is a major concern. Children ride in this truck.** I cannot treat a possible steering or structural failure as an ordinary maintenance issue when the consequences of a failure could be catastrophic. I am aware of FCA Safety Recall R46 / the federal safety agency campaign 15V‑541, which addressed track bar frame bracket welding concerns on certain Ram trucks. I understand that my 2012 model year may not be included in the recall population. Nevertheless, I am asking Ram to examine the actual condition of my vehicle and determine whether the failures warrant further technical investigation. I respectfully request: 1. A formal safety case and a case reference number. 2. Escalation to the appropriate Ram technical, engineerin

Filed Apr 6, 2020 · Suspension · 142,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH there was an abnormal rattling noise detected and noticed the springs were fractured on the rear axle. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but did not assist. The failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · Suspension · 156,000 miles · LA · 1 injury

Lower control arm broke in half driving straight through a parking lot, causing partial separation of front passenger wheel and hub assembly from vehicle and loss of vehicle control as well as sudden deceleration. Resulting in complete damage to brake line, upper control arm, drive shaft, steering rack, steering column(broken internal steering shaft), airbag and steering wheel controls clockspring, passenger fender, bumper assembly, as well as second degree burns to forearms from the resulting steering wheel backlash. This occurred at appx 10mph. An acquaintance qualified to have an opinion on the cause looked at photos of the parts grain structure at break, concluded casting error of cast aluminum control arm.*dt *js*dt in nov 21, 2019 consumer stated he replaced the following himself upper control arm, lower control arm, brake line, front r drive shaft, steering rack, fender, impact absorber/bumper support, steering column, airbag clock spring, fender liner and airbox/filter support. Consumer also stated, it appears tone ring in the bearing hub for ABS speed sensor was damaged by this occurrence, this has yet to be replaced.*jb*dt

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 89,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle shook and vibrated. The vehicle was taken to fillback chrysler jeep (1702 elm st, boscobel, wi) where the wheels were rotated and balanced and the driveshaft was replaced; however, the failures continued. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000. *ln

Filed Sep 25, 2019 · Suspension · FL

Bad wobble when truck get to 70.MPH

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Suspension · 102,126 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle pinon nut was loose and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to byers chrysler dodge jeep ram (465 s hamilton rd, columbus, oh) where the failure was confirmed; however, the dealer refused to perform the repair per the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v038000 (suspension) because the VIN was excluded from a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 102,126.

Filed Feb 9, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 76,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The driver coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the rear axle detached independently. The driver was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle pinion nut detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer stated that they did not go by carfax information, and the vehicle was from canada and could not serviced. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. *tt

Filed May 16, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 60,000 miles · AL

My vehicle is covered under the settlement imposed against fiat chrysler to offer buyback option to owner based on purchase price minus reasonable depreciation. However, my dealer, fiat chrysler, buyback hotlines, and everyone I have contacted are passing the buck and no one seems to know anything about this buyback program. I have been working on this for 18 months. I am about to go meet with a service dept. Manager this morning, after receiving more ignorance and "I don't know anything about it's" yesterday. Frustrating. There are steering issues, electrical issues, and power train concerns., and if someone gets hurt in the meantime while I am having to navigate this mess, I will own fiat chrysler, the federal safety agency, and will take over the buyback number and turn it into a pizza delivery call center. Thank you

Filed Mar 23, 2017 · Engine, Suspension · 113,000 miles · SC

Front left axle is seized up on my truck. A tire company was going to put a new hub on for me and they couldn't get the axle to release the hub. On engine my truck is ticking from manifold.

Filed Oct 13, 2016 · Airbags, Body · 52,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

I was driving down a county road, another vehicle ran a stop sign in front of me I swerved and the vehicle went airborne off the road and impacted head on to other side of the drainage ditch off the road. My airbag was not deployed and my head impacted the steering wheel.