Recall 13V344 covers 85 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 trucks with a loose transmission snap ring. Free repair at a franchised Ram dealer.
Dodge is recalling 85 2012 Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 trucks because a loose snap ring inside the transmission can interrupt power transfer to the wheels. That loss of drive power can increase crash risk, and the Ram dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The automatic transmission in the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 takes power from the engine and sends it through the driveline to the wheels. Inside the transmission, a snap ring is a small retaining ring that holds an internal part in its intended position. That ring has to stay seated for the transmission to keep transferring power.
In NHTSA campaign 13V344, the problem is a loose snap ring inside the transmission. When it moves out of place, the transmission can stop passing engine power through to the wheels. The engine can still run, but the truck no longer gets the drive force it needs to move or maintain speed.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the transmission suddenly loses drive, treat it as a recall-related power train problem and have the truck handled through the Ram dealer repair process.
Who's affected?
Covers three Ram truck classes from the 2012 model year, all tied to the automatic transmission.
| 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Dodge Ram 4500 | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 85 |
A matching 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500, or Ram 5500 does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected loss of power transfer creates crash risk because the truck can stop moving as the driver expects. If the drivetrain feels abnormal or the truck loses power, pull over safely and contact a dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Dodge Ram 5500, Ram 3500, or Ram 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer about the free transmission assembly replacement that fixes the loose snap ring and loss of power transfer.
- Bring the recall notice if Dodge has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V344 when you call.
- Call Dodge customer service at 1-800-247-9753 with questions and reference recall number 13V344 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Move out of traffic if the truck loses power transfer to the wheels.
What happens at the repair
The remedy described for this recall is a full transmission assembly replacement. At the dealer, a Ram technician removes the transmission assembly affected by the loose internal snap ring and installs the replacement assembly. The filing says the repair is free of charge. Call the Ram service desk with your VIN before arranging service so they can confirm parts and scheduling. Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 6, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V344?
Recall 13V344 covers 85 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 trucks with a loose snap ring inside the transmission. The defect can cause loss of power transfer to the wheels and increase crash risk. Ram dealers will replace the transmission assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500, or Ram 5500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V344. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the transmission assembly replacement. Reference recall number 13V344 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Ram dealer will replace the transmission assembly free of charge, including parts and labor, for trucks included in recall 13V344.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels. If that happens while driving, the truck can lose propulsion and the risk of a crash increases. The dealer repair replaces the transmission assembly for free.
What if I bought my Dodge Ram used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500, or Ram 5500 is included, then call a franchised Ram dealer with recall number 13V344.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V344000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V344 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V344000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →