Frustrating Issues

[wcmorris]

I've had my 2012 RAM 1500 Sport for about 1.5 years now. I bought it used with just 7k miles, it now has ~23k.

I have been having some really annoying issues with this truck that I certainly would not expect to have on any vehicle with just 23k miles. I'm curious if any of you have had similar issues, know of fixes, or just want to offer thoughts on how your 2012 RAM has been.

1. Drivers side headlight (Low and High beam) - I noticed it was out shortly after I go the truck. Replaced the bulb and it worked fine for a few weeks. Then it happened again. I brought it to dealer and they said it was the TICM. I laughed when they told me the price to replace that and said no thanks. I can get the light to come back on if I take it all apart and and shake the headlight around, but then it just goes off again after a few days. I can't tell you how annoying this is and I refuse to pay the ridiculous cost of the TICM when the dealer isn't even 100% sure that's the problem. Anyone else have this issue or other TICM related problems?

2. Driver side mirror - the mirror started making a loud whistle recently. It seems like something has come loose which causes the noise when the wind hits it. Dealer said they can replace the mirror for $800. I can't justify that to myself and then have the next mirror do the same thing in a year.

3. 6 Speed Tranny - This isn't really a problem (yet), but I hate this transmission. I feel like it holds the engine back. It drops RPMs when accelerating, and shifts hard as hell. Feels like it's going to fall out of the truck sometimes. Which I'm sure it will blow up at some point as many people seem to have tranmission issues in these trucks.

Other than that I really like the truck. I've just never owned a vehicle that has had such weird and nagging issues with this low of mileage. Especially ones that are this expensive to fix.

I'm looking to move into a Tundra or new Tacoma just to cut my losses on the RAM. The reliability really has me scared.

 

[Tach_tech]

Your headlight issue is likely the body side connector for the headlight. The pins get loose and the light intermittently stops working. I've changed quite a few of those connectors for exactly that issue.

Those issues are fairly minor in my opinion. Even though your truck has low miles it's still 4 years old.

There are brand new vehicles that have much worse issues before their first oil change.

I get you feel it's unacceptable, and in a way it is and isn't.

At the end of your day, it's your truck and it's your choice. If you feel a different truck is the answer then that's your choice, but it's no guarantee you may not run into the same minor annoyances.

 

[Treburkulosis]

Good lord, could a moderator please make a let me complain about my ram thread and sticky it?

 

[TRXHemi]

Sorry for your pain brother. This is my third RAM and I have not experienced any issues with any of them. I kept my 2008 until about 60K miles, then my 2010 for 125K miles, and now my 2014 has about 77K on it.

Did you happen to do a carfax on yours before you bought it? Maybe it was wrecked or flooded or something?

 

[dhows31]

I had the same issue with my headlight. The dealer that I bought it from(not a Chrysler dealership) fixed it for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hemipower95 2.0]

Yikes

 

[Rzrman328]

I haven't had any of these "issues".

 

[reek]

I'm looking to move into a Tundra or new Tacoma just to cut my losses on the RAM. The reliability really has me scared.

Probably would have had a more sympathetic audience without these last 2 sentences.


That would be like me posting on Tundratalk.net in 2008 about my new Tundra sounding like it would drop its transfer case every time I went into 4wd, how the weather stripping keeps peeling on the drivers door, and how the front plastic grill separated from the hood. Then the last line being, I'm going to go buy a RAM. No, I wouldn't post that on Tundratalk.net. I'd post it here though....

 

[RamCares]

I've had my 2012 RAM 1500 Sport for about 1.5 years now. I bought it used with just 7k miles, it now has ~23k.

I have been having some really annoying issues with this truck that I certainly would not expect to have on any vehicle with just 23k miles. I'm curious if any of you have had similar issues, know of fixes, or just want to offer thoughts on how your 2012 RAM has been.

1. Drivers side headlight (Low and High beam) - I noticed it was out shortly after I go the truck. Replaced the bulb and it worked fine for a few weeks. Then it happened again. I brought it to dealer and they said it was the TICM. I laughed when they told me the price to replace that and said no thanks. I can get the light to come back on if I take it all apart and and shake the headlight around, but then it just goes off again after a few days. I can't tell you how annoying this is and I refuse to pay the ridiculous cost of the TICM when the dealer isn't even 100% sure that's the problem. Anyone else have this issue or other TICM related problems?

2. Driver side mirror - the mirror started making a loud whistle recently. It seems like something has come loose which causes the noise when the wind hits it. Dealer said they can replace the mirror for $800. I can't justify that to myself and then have the next mirror do the same thing in a year.

3. 6 Speed Tranny - This isn't really a problem (yet), but I hate this transmission. I feel like it holds the engine back. It drops RPMs when accelerating, and shifts hard as hell. Feels like it's going to fall out of the truck sometimes. Which I'm sure it will blow up at some point as many people seem to have tranmission issues in these trucks.

Other than that I really like the truck. I've just never owned a vehicle that has had such weird and nagging issues with this low of mileage. Especially ones that are this expensive to fix.

I'm looking to move into a Tundra or new Tacoma just to cut my losses on the RAM. The reliability really has me scared.

Hi wcmorris,

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I'm not sure what you mean by TICM. There is a TIPM (totally integrated power module) in your vehicle, and that's something that is covered under the basic 3/36 warranty, so you're out of that warranty by time. If there's something I can follow up on for you, let me know.

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[huntergreen]

first time i have heard anyone say the rfe545 trans is unreliable. change the fluid and filter and see if that helps. the trans was is covered by a 5 year 100000 mil warranty. you might still be covered.