What's Wrong with the 4th Generation (2012–2018) 2500?

2500 owners have made 173 complaints about the 2012–2018 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 9th out of 11 Ram generations in overall reliability, with real engine and steering concerns.

Compare With Other 2500 Generations

Common 2012-2018 Ram 2500 Problems

Some of the worst issues 4th generation 2500 owners have to deal with.

  1. Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect

    Make room, death wobble. You're not the only terrible Ram suspension problem out there. Consider the electronic sway bar disconnect system that's great until you drive through a puddle and fry the system's electronics. …

    Continue reading article "Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect" A red circle highlights the sway bar disconnect system on the bottom front of a Ram hoisted up on lifts.

  2. TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing with airbag control units (ACU) in certain Ram trucks. At this time the problem is believed to be responsible for as many as eight deaths which has sparked an invest…

    Continue reading article "TRW Crash Sensor Defect" ZF Headquarters

  3. UConnect Frozen with Blank Screen

    The uConnect infotainment system will often boot into a blank screen, becoming unresponsive to the touch, or reboot at random times. Each time it'd force owners to turn off their cars, restart, and just hope for a better outcome. And an ove…

    Continue reading article "UConnect Frozen with Blank Screen" Ram console with uConnect loaded on the infotainment screen

  4. uConnect Hacked, Should You Be Concerned?

    On July 21, 2015 a report surfaced that hackers had remotely taken control of a Jeep Cherokee through its UConnect system. They turned on the A/C, cranked the volume of the radio, and even killed the transmission while the vehicle was on th…

    Continue reading article "uConnect Hacked, Should You Be Concerned?" Ram console with uConnect loaded on the infotainment screen

  5. Ram Death Wobble

    Death wobble is a violent shaking of the front end of the vehicle while driving. It usually happens after hitting a bump while traveling at highway speeds, and doesn’t stop until the truck slows down.

    Continue reading article "Ram Death Wobble" Dismantled suspension component

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

4th Generation (2012–2018) 2500 Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 173 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 9th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 11 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 4th Generation 2500 Owners

  • Partially dismissed

    Flores, et al., v. FCA US LLC

    1. Partially dismissed

      Although Judge Sean F. Cox didn't dismiss the entire lawsuit, the judge ruled the plaintiffs lack standing to bring claims on behalf of a nationwide class of vehicle owners, therefore nationwide class action allegations are dismissed. According to the judge, the plaintiffs failed to plead viable warranty and unjust enrichment claims under the laws of each of the 50 states.

    2. Case Filed

      A Jeep sway bar lawsuit alleges the electronic disconnect fails and forces the owner to drive their Jeep or Ram vehicle on highways and roads without the sway bar, creating dangerous driving conditions.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2011-2020 Ram 2500 Power Wagon
    Location
    Michigan

Recent 4th Generation (2012–2018) 2500 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. More than 228,000 Ram trucks might suddenly roll away, even when the key isn’t in the ignition.

    The problem is caused by pins in the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) that stick open in higher temperatures. Fiat-Chrysler is expanding a previous recall of 1.8 million vehicles to include trucks with column shifters that were built between 01/01/2017 and 01/10/2018.

    keep reading article "Ram Expands Rollaway Recall to Include More Trucks"

  2. Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks because their steering linkages may separate over time.

    This drag link separation will likely cause a complete loss of steering control which is … not ideal. FCA hasn’t said when the recall will begin but they better hurry up as the problem is already responsible for 8 accidents.

    I hate to be a drag, but that number is only going to rise if this takes much longer.

    keep reading article "Ram 2500 and 3500 Recalled for Steering Separation Problems"

  3. A lawsuit concerning hacking vulnerabilities in Fiat-Chrysler’s (FCA) Uconnect system is headed to trial this October.

    The lawsuit was filed after researchers showed how a Jeep could be controlled remotely through the infotainment system. FCA has called the case meritless and tried to get it dismissed. When that didn’t work they turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. To FCA’s surprise, the court refused to even hear the appeal.

    It’s almost as if FCA thought the were in control of the situation and then suddenly they weren’t 🤔

    This post originally appeared on JeepProblems.com.

    keep reading article "Uconnect Hacking Vulnerability Trial Date Set"

  5. Steering linkage problems in the 2015-2016 Ram 2500 are under federal investigation

    after multiple drivers reported a sudden and complete inability to steer their trucks. It’s believed the issue has to do with a defect in the drag link which connects the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.…

    keep reading article "Over 200,000 Ram 2500 Trucks Under Investigation for Steering Linkage Defects"