2018 RAM 2500 Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 RAM 2500.

20172019
Complaints
3,596
Crashes
53
Fires
4
Injuries
15
Fatalities
2
Recalls
9

Worst 2018 RAM 2500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#11,757 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:45,572 mi
Crash-related:12
#2447 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:37,142 mi
Crash-related:5
#3316 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:69,823 mi
Crash-related:9
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 RAM 2500.

Brakes
1,757
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
Avg Miles
45,572
Electrical Faults
447
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
37,142
Hydraulic Brakes
316
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
Avg Miles
69,823
Unintended Acceleration
309
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
42,380
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
150
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
13,900
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
90
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,000
Steering Defects
78
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
29,535
Transmission / Drivetrain
67
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
41,530
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light
55
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
52,356
Engine Problems
34
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
43,288
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,457
Suspension Failures
20
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
46,150
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,170
Wheel Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,583
Traction Control System
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,621
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
48,150
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,525
Electronic Stability Control
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,601
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,800
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,974
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
53,100
Wipers & Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
10,800
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 RAM 2500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 RAM 2500

9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~7,283,992 vehicles.

25V592000Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
~1,761 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

25V010000Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
~6,066 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

24V896000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~317,630 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.

19V347000Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
~1,103,209 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

19V021000Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection
~795,575 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.

18V398000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~1,837 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

18V332000Electrical System:software · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · Electrical System:wiring
~4,815,661 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

18V100000Automatic Transmission
~180,462 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

17V824000Other Equipment
~61,791 affected

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 extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Other RAM 2500 Years

2018 RAM 2500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 RAM 2500 reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2018 RAM 2500 has 3,596 NHTSA complaints, 53 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 1,757 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 RAM 2500?
Top reported problems: Brakes (1,757 complaints, avg 45,572 mi); Electrical Faults (447 complaints, avg 37,142 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (316 complaints, avg 69,823 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 RAM 2500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 44,927 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 RAM 2500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 RAM 2500 include 53 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 15 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 RAM 2500 have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 7,283,992 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 RAM 2500?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2018 RAM 2500 shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full RAM 2500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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