Sell your 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 for cash

The 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 is a pickup truck that came with a choice of 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl engines. At 14 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2012 Dodge Ram 1500 at a glance

Body styleStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Automatic 6-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline, Midgrade Gasoline
Fuel economy13–14 city / 19–20 highway / 15–16 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$4,200–$5,050 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂555–592 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA5 configurations: Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD
Age14 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 14 years old, most of a 2012 Ram 1500's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a pickup truck, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Ram 1500. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the electrical system, typically around 74,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Fuel System, GasolineMar 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V160000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the…

Risk: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an igniti

EquipmentDec 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the…

Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Power TrainDec 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V821000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for…

Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Air BagsJul 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V459000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module…

Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Power TrainFeb 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V038000

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011…

Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

EquipmentMay 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V192000

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Ram 1500 trucks, manufactured from january 5, 2012 through january 6, 2012. The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.…

Risk: If installed, the incorrectly sized spare tire may unexpectedly activate the electronic stability control (esc) system, altering the effectiveness of the esc system, increasing the risk of a crash.

Common 2012 Ram 1500 problems

Owners have filed 698 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 with NHTSA. 32 reports involved a crash and 10 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 27 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Electrical System168
  • Engine163
  • Fuel/Propulsion System92
  • Power Train89
  • Air Bags80
  • Unknown or Other67

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Electrical System74,000 mi
  • Engine83,000 mi
  • Fuel/Propulsion System80,000 mi
  • Power Train60,000 mi
  • Air Bags60,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other74,000 mi

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 282 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment54
  • Electrical System23
  • Engine and Engine Cooling16
  • Service Brakes13
  • Structure12
  • Fuel System11

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2025 · 106241

    Lamp - dome

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2025 · 104974

    Lamp - dome

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · 103774

    Lamp - dome

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · 25-009-24

    "Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving conditions can plu

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500.

Air BagsEA19001 · opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024Led to recall 20V024

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags

Selling a 2012 Ram 1500: questions

How much is a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2012 Ram 1500 that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2012 Ram 1500s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2012 Ram 1500 with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2012 Ram 1500?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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