--- title: "2012 Ram 1500 Parts and Specs" description: "Everything for the 2012 Ram 1500: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012 Ram 1500 parts and specs Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. DS (4th generation; sold 2019-2024 as Ram 1500 Classic), 2012-2018, Full-size half-ton pickup (Regular, Quad, Crew Cab). ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 5W-20, 5 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group 65, 730 CCA | | Tire size | 265/70R17 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 22" / 22" | | Max towing | 10,650 lbs | | Cabin filter | Mopar 68406048AA (filter) + 68052292AA access door | ## Specifications for the 2012-2018 1500 ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/specs). These specifications are shared across every 1500 of the DS (4th generation; sold 2019-2024 as Ram 1500 Classic) generation. See the [2012-2018 Ram 1500 overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018) for the full picture, or the [Ram 1500 guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500) to compare every generation. ## What changed for the 2012 Ram 1500 | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Carryover powertrains: 3.7L V6 (4-spd), 4.7L V8 (6-spd), 5.7L HEMI; hydraulic steering; HOAT coolant | ## Known problems with the 2012 Ram 1500 3 of the 6 issues we track for the 2012-2018 generation are documented against the 2012 model year. ### HEMI 'tick', MDS lifter and camshaft failure (5.7L) (major) A ticking that progresses to a loud tap can mean a collapsed MDS (cylinder-deactivation) lifter whose roller has scarred the camshaft. It often appears between 80k-150k mi, sometimes with a misfire code on one cylinder. The fix is lifters and usually a camshaft, an engine-out-scale labor job. Distinct from the harmless exhaust-manifold tick; a shop can tell them apart quickly. Typical cost: $2,500-$5,000+ (cam and lifter replacement). ### Exhaust manifold bolts break (5.7L HEMI) (moderate) The HEMI's exhaust manifold bolts, usually the rear ones on the driver side, snap from heat cycling, causing an exhaust tick on cold start that fades as the engine warms. Cheap parts, but extracting broken studs takes labor. Widely reported across HEMI trucks for a decade-plus. Typical cost: $300-$900 (per side, including stud extraction). ### TIPM fuel pump relay failure, no-start or stall (recall) (major) The fuel pump relay integrated in the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) can fail, causing cranking no-starts or stalling without warning. FCA recalled 2012-2013 Ram trucks (campaign P54, NHTSA 14V-530) and installed an external relay. If an early DS truck stalls or won't start intermittently, verify this recall was performed before chasing other causes. NHTSA 14V-530 (FCA P54). Typical cost: Free under recall; ~$150-$250 for an external relay kit otherwise. 3 more issues are reported in other 2012-2018 years: Air suspension failure (2013+ optional 4-corner air ride) (2013-2018 (equipped trucks, typically >80k mi)); EcoDiesel EGR cooler cracking, fire risk (recall) (2014-2018 (recall covers through 2019 Classic)); EcoDiesel bottom-end and oil-cooler failures (early engines) (2014-2016 (worst in 2014-2015)). Full detail, costs and sources on the [Ram 1500 problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/common-problems) guide. ## Which engines were offered in the 2012 1500? | Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3.7L Magnum V6 (2012 only) | ST/Tradesman regular cab (2012) | 5W-20 | 5 qt | | 4.7L PowerTech V8 (2012-2013) | ST, SLT, Big Horn (2012-2013) | 5W-20 | 6 qt | | 5.7L HEMI V8 (EZH) | Optional nearly all trims; standard on Sport, Laramie, Longhorn, Limited, Rebel V8 | 5W-20 | 7 qt | ## About the Ram 1500 The Ram 1500 is a full-size half-ton pickup, and the 2012-2025 span covers two long-lived generations plus a naming quirk that trips up parts lookups. 0L EcoDiesel joined in 2014. Crucially, the DS kept selling as the 'Ram 1500 Classic' through 2024 alongside the new truck, so a '2021 Ram 1500' can be either body. Classic trucks use this page's DS-generation data. 0L Hurricane inline-six (420 or 540 hp). 5-quart oil capacities, Group 65 vs H7 batteries, flooded vs AGM vs 48V packs, and a HEMI lifter/camshaft 'tick' plus air-suspension and EcoDiesel EGR-cooler issues that are well documented in NHTSA data. For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Ram 1500 guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500). ## Other Ram 1500 years - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2013) Data confidence for this generation: Check your manual. ## Sources - [FCA media, 2015 Ram 1500 specifications (battery, capacities)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2015_RAM_1500_SPvcfijqn696qeodm5be2oh020fk.pdf) - [NHTSA recall 19V-757, EcoDiesel EGR cooler (Part 573 report)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V757-2821.PDF) - [FCA Safety Recall VB1, diesel EGR cooler, 2014-2019 Ram 1500 (oemdtc)](https://chrysler.oemdtc.com/1423/safety-recall-vb1-diesel-egr-cooler-2014-2019-ram-1500/) - [RamForum, Safety recall P54 / NHTSA 14V-530 fuel pump relay](https://www.ramforum.com/threads/safety-recall-p54-hsta-14v-530-fuel-pump-relay.203933/) - [Diesel Hub, 3.0L EcoDiesel oil change guide (capacities, filters, TSB 18-078-16)](https://www.dieselhub.com/maintenance/ecodiesel-oil-change-guide.html) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2015 Ram 1500 EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2015_Ram_1500.shtml) - [Wheel-Size.com, 2016 Ram 1500 OE fitments](https://www.wheel-size.com/size/ram/1500/2016/) - [RamForumZ, 5.7L spark plug spec (NGK LZFR5C-11, 30k interval)](https://www.ramforumz.com/threads/spark-plug-replacement-5-7l.249281/) - [RamForum, oil change indicator reset procedure](https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-reset-oil-change-indicator.196835/) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.