2012 Dodge RAM 2500: sudden loss of power

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 27, 2023 · Electrical · OH

While driving, my dodge shut off and it was hard to control my vehicle and come to a safe stop, out of the way of other motorists. Lost all power, as if I turned the key off while driving. Turns out that there is a weak/loss of connection in the WIN module. while the vehicle is running at idle, the truck will shut off as if I turned the key to the off position. This is dangerous and scary. There was no warning or heads up or any issues prior to this incident.

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Electrical · PA

On nov 23 2019, while I was driving my truck it suddenly died. I pulled over and started it again. This happened 2 more times that day once on the highway. Since then it has worked intermittently with the issue happening while in motion and also while stationary. I did some research and found out that I'm not alone with this issue. I have read several forums with a lot of owners complaining about the ignition module, win. Clearly this isn't a couple isolated incidents and needs to be addressed by ram. I would find it hard to believe that a total loss of power due to a faulty win that has been recognized as an issue and modified in newer vehicles wouldn't be a safety recall. From what I gather this particular win is able to get dirty on the circuit board thus causing a failure in the connection and ram knew about the problem.

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 94,000 miles · CA

R03 (replaces l25) wireless ignition node (win) module win module failure. When driving the vehicle in motion, the engine and power shuts off to the vehicle, causing loss of power steering and braking power. This happened to me while driving on the freeway. This has been recalled due to the same situation on multiple other dodge/chrysler vehicles that have the same win module part/part# as my 2012 ram. 'the wireless ignition node (win) module on these vehicles may have unintentional movement of the frequency operated button ignition key, or fobik, from the 'on' to the 'accessory' position while driving. This could cause unintended engine shut off and increase the risk of a crash.'

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 Sep 21, 2017 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 2500. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost power. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mullahey chrysler dodge jeep ram (2520 golden hill rd, paso robles, ca 93446 (805) 369-2400) where it was diagnosed that the wireless ignition module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assigned case number: 32374095, but no further assistance was provided. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v200000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 3, 2017 · Electrical · 157,454 miles · CO

When driving my truck on any kind of rough road or hitting a bump the truck will shut off. This happens at all speeds while driving in town and on the highway. When the engine shuts off I lose all power to steering, power brakes and all electric components. I have found that the win module is the issue.

Filed Mar 11, 2017 · Electrical · 136,000 miles · WY

Vehicle ignition- when the vehicle is in motion and you hit a slight bump in the road the truck will shut off. This will occur at highway speeds and speeds as low at 20mph. Also sometimes when starting the vehicle with the key, once the key is turned to start the vehicle, all loss of power to the dash and ignition system. Lastly if the remote start is used and the key it put into the ignition and turned to the on position and the brake pedal is depressed the vehicle will shut off.

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 30,000 miles · OH

Prior to epa emissions recall I would achieve diesel fuel efficiencies as high as 21 mpg highway, pulling a 18 foot trailer at a 1 hour duration. The city mpg averaged to 13-15 mpg, since the emissions recall update made on this vehicle, mpg has averaged between 10-13 mpg on highway with no load/no trailer and averages between 9-11 mpg in city. These benchmarks have been consistently compared and road conditions have been same. To add to this issue, there has been a loss of power that has caused unexpected hesitation in a number of instances. Several times I was put in harms way as crossing city divided highway, crossing streets and/or dividing highways where that multi-directional traffic lights are not always present. To further explain, realizing the power pickup was not present and turbo did not seem to be 'spun up' even though acceleration was increased dramatically. Note, to help to possibly remediate these potential accident occurrences, I must power brake and increase engine RPM's to help bring the vehicle to a power level to reduce the risk of power latency. This sometimes helps but not always because power impotency seems to be unpredictable at times.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Electrical · 11,000 miles · OR · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while pulling a trailer, the vehicle started losing engine power. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and there were flames coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact did not disclose who extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Body, Engine · 9,800 miles · OR · fire

Towing 5th wheel trailer uphill in low gear, lost power,big bang smoke fire.!!!