Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 RAM 1500 Pickup 4.7L.
Body TRUCKEngine 4.7L
The 2012 Ram RAM 1500 Pickup 4.7L is a DS-platform truck built around a 4.7L engine and serviced with 6 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with the filter. Its documented reliability profile includes 694 owner complaints, with the engine standing as the top complaint area, and 7 recalls. That pairing of engine-focused owner reports with multiple recalls makes the 2012 model a useful benchmark within the Ram 1500's reliability history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque130 ft-lbsOEM · verified
Fitment & sizes
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
Lubricants & capacities
Automatic Transmission Fluid
ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity
5.5-6.5
Automatic Transmission Fluid
ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity
5.5
Brake Fluid
DOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil
SYNTHETIC · 75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity
2.3 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil
80W-90 · GL-5
Engine torques
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs
8.3 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts
70 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs
21 ft-lbs
Chassis torques
Lug Nuts
130 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts
135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug
15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug
15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Ignition
Cylinder Firing Order
1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer
Champion
Spark Plug Torque
Used plugs and
Battery & A/C
Refrigerant
R134a
Refrigerant Capacity
1.60 lbs
Oil Group
PAG
Oil Type
46
Refrigerant
R134a
Refrigerant Capacity
1.38 lbs
Oil Group
PAG
Oil Type
46
Service checks
Pressure Test
15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief
14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature
195 °F
Engine Compression
100
Engine Oil Pressure
25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM
3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash
Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash
Hydraulic in
Brakes
Torque Caliper to Bracket
24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle
130 ft-lbs / 142 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness
Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation
0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit
0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From
1.102 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To
1.102 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under
1.039 in / 0.803 in
Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1
20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90
20 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
Prep Bolts 1-10
1
20 ft. lbs.
20 ft. lbs
2
20 ft. lbs.; Bolts 11-14
20 ft. lbs
1
10 ft. lbs.; Bolts 1-10
10 ft. lbs
3
90 degrees
90 degrees
4
90 degrees; Bolts 11-14
90 degrees
2
19 ft. lbs.; Lubricate the M10 bolts with clean engine oil. Coat the M8 bolts with Mopar Lock and Seal.
19 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.
1
Tighten bolts A - L to 40 ft. lbs.
40 ft. lbs
2
Tighten bolts 1 - 10 to 25 in. lbs.
25 in
3
Turn bolts 1 - 10 an additional 90 degrees.
90 degrees
4
Tighten bolts A1 - A6 to 20 ft. lbs.
20 ft. lbs
Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 96,000 mi; coolant at 104,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 104,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.
After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required
DRBIII scan tool
Also required
The vehicle's four-digit PIN code
Reliability & federal safety record
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2012 Ram RAM 1500 Pickup top in one area — the engine, 95 of 694 reports (14%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 32 of the reports describe a crash and 9 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
282
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
694
Owner complaints
32 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component
All 694 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Engine95
Electrical System69
Power Train53
Air Bags52
Fuel/Propulsion System36
Exterior Lighting34
Service Brakes29
Unknown Or Other29
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Recalls NHTSA · verified
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
17V821000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column ShiftReported 20/12/2017
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… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018…
17V824000EquipmentReported 21/12/2017
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… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler…