carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $20,480–$25,759 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Ram Ram 1500 at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.4/10, while Reliability at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.2/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.2/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $20,480–$25,759, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Ram Ram 1500 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Ram Ram 1500 is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and technology and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Ram Ram 1500 ranks #469 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 9% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $20,480 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 42%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Across the Ram 1500 model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $32,960 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $32,000 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $31,040 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $30,080 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $29,120 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $28,160 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $27,200 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.1/10 | $26,240 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $25,280 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $24,320 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $23,360 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.0/10 | $22,400 | Read review → |
Other trucks at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Ram models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
