2012 Dodge RAM 2500: check engine light

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine · MT

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Ram heavy duty with tow package new. At just over 152000 miles, the engine started knocking while on vacation. We were not towing at the time. We put in injector cleaner to try and help the knocking. During our vacation, we were on the freeway when we suddenly lost power, the service engine light popped on, and the engine died. We were literally driving one minute and the next were trying to get out of the traffic lane with no control. We restarted the engine, the knocking had stopped and power was restored. Two days later, another episode of power decrease but with no engine service light. We used premium gas, injector cleaner and listened for the knocking that came and went, to drive home. We were told by our local dealership it is a lifter failure and the truck needs a replacement engine.

Filed Jan 4, 2026 · Fuel system, Lights · MT

My passenger headlights keeps going in and out. The wiring harness has been replaced twice and it still does it. My check engine light keeps coming on for the evap system even though its been replaced.

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Engine · 98,000 miles · UT

We took our truck to the dealership for a brake recall. After the recall was fixed, my dad was driving home on the freeway with my truck when my check engine light started flashing and blinking. It was almost immediately after that the truck started to shake and was having a hard time accelerating. He got the truck to my house. I drove it straight to the mechanic a few miles from my house and experienced the same issues. Whenever I would slow down the truck would start shaking. It was extremely hard to accelerate and made it difficult to turn as I didn't know if it would actually go. I didn't want to be stuck in oncoming traffic. The check engine light was continuously blinking and beeping. After a tow truck took it back to the dealership, they said the cam shaft and lifters needed to be replaced. We were told it would be a very expensive repair. After looking online, there were many forums where people had expressed concern about this same issue in 2011 and 2012 dodge ram trucks. There were no indications that there were any issues with the truck before it happened.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Engine · 86,503 miles · CO

While driving normally at a speed approximately 45 MPH, the truck flashed the check engine light a couple times and chimed, then I lost all power. The power steering was disabled, and I had to manually guide the truck off the roadway into a private drive and call for a tow. I was told by a shop that the valve seat of cylinder 1 failed and broke apart inside the cylinder and damaged the cylinder while allowing oil into the cylinder as well. I am told the engine needs replacement. I am waiting for the shop's diagnosis documentation.

Filed Nov 22, 2017 · Body, Engine · 115,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lifters detached. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle misfired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector, the spark plugs, and coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2017 · Fuel system · 102,000 miles · TX

Excessive fuel consumption..less than 10mpg, high operating temperature, power/performance with/ without. Moderate towing loads. High temperatures associated with elevations in excess of 4ooo feet. Frequent engine light appearance.

Filed Aug 16, 2017 · 45,000 miles · WA

Upon placing my seatbelt on I looked at the silver part that is the outer portions of the controls , right next to the 4w dr button and there was a circular actual melted area, when touched was rough/burnt, could see the black plastic underneath . No other areas noted. . Took to dodge, and they state, after having the truck 4 days , they statement as to cause is, " that it is a direct sun burned portion zeroed in thru the back window that heated it up, melted the circular area and is not under warrenty. We have a mega cab, all tinted, was in our driveway which is covered w/tall fir trees. We have lived here for 24 yrs. We are afraid it will cause a fire as dodge would not look for the cause. The engine light came on & we where taking it in for another air flow detector as this has been the 3rd one replaced, r/t smog gagets. We r both retired and do not take any trips, d/t my and my husbands conditions

Filed Jul 15, 2015 · Transmission · 15,033 miles · WA

After receiving notification from dodge that parts were available to correct the diesel fuel heater electrical connector (recall p65/the federal safety agency 14v‑635) my dodge dealer (rairdon dodge, bellingham) told me the parts for the recall were on back order from dodge. Subsequently the check engine light came on shortly thereafter and when diagnosed the problem was with the oxygen sensor system. Once again the dealer told me that the repair parts were on back order from dodge and they would call when the parts arrived, this was close to a month ago and in the meantime the truck has been parked and not been used. I believe that this extended period waiting for back ordered parts is excessive and needs to be rectified, especially when dodge indicated that the parts for the recall were available.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 23,100 miles · TX

Chrysler has had the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v635000 component(s): engine and engine cooling , fuel system, diesel in effect since october 2014. My truck has this recall problem. I continually have engine code p2609 active. I have contacted chrysler about this and all they will say is that the repair parts are not available. My truck is still under warranty but chrysler will not repair the truck. Along with the "check engine light", I have a diesel fuel smell entering the passenger compartment at various times. Chrysler will give me no date as to when they will repair this problem. The local dealers say they can do nothing until chrysler get the repair parts needed. It seems logical that if chrysler has issued a warranty on a vehicle then they should be able to repair the vehicle.