2018 Ram 1500 Brake Problems

47 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2018 Ram 1500 to NHTSA — 7% of all 665 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 36,000 miles. That ranks #9 of 15 1500 model years for brake complaints (a typical year has 75). No brake recall has been issued for this model year.

47complaints
36ktypical miles
0related recalls
5crashes
0fires
6injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    333%
  • 25k–50k
    222%
  • 50k–75k
    111%
  • 75k–100k
    111%
  • 100k–150k
    222%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in rainy weather, the brake pedal was firmly depressed to stop at a traffic light, but the rear brakes seized, causing the vehicle to hydroplane into the middle of an intersection. The contact made a U-turn and continued driving. The ABS, traction control, and brake system warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

113,000 miles · Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake, traction control, and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,137. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

64,000 miles · Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the cause of the failure was unidentified. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included, and the parts for the repair was not available. Another local dealer, Rainbow Chrysler Dodge Jeep (301 River Highland Blvd, Covington, LA 70433) was contacted about the repair; however, parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

25,000 miles · Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and traction control warning light were illuminated. The contact retrieved information about a recall with a similar failure; however, the recall information was unknown. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the hydraulic control unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

76,000 miles · Mar 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the ABS warning light along with several other unknown warning lights. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and seized. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front wheel hubs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.

141,000 miles · Jul 2024

The lights on the dash went out while sitting still. All of them flashed on then off again, a warning light about the transmission came on and then off again. The motor surged and would not stop, the brakes would not work, the shifter would not work. The vehicle surged into oncoming traffic.

Jul 2022 · crash

I have a 2018 RAM 1500 Tradesman 2WD truck that the the ABS warning ligh as well as check engine, brakes warning light keeps staying on. I am very concerned about this as it may cause me to NOT be able to brake in time to. Also the cruise control does not work. I've taken it to several different mechanics as well as Autozone and I'm told the error code is C2200-49 which is the Anti-lock Brake Module Internal- Internal Electronic Failure. My mechanic has told me there is NO PART available and has been on back order for the past year. My only recourse is to locate one from a junk yard and hope that it will work. I've done an exhaustive on-line search and haven't been able to locate the module for my year and model truck through any RAM 'MOPAR' dealership. I've been on several different message boards and have been told there are thousands of trucks out there with this issues. …

Jun 2025

During a road trip we exited the highway and suddenly we have a flat tire on Front right of vehicle. We saw no object in the tire it was just flat. We change the tire with our spare and got back on the road on the way home. After the first flat the Service Antilock Braking System and alternated to Service Electronic Brake System messages aper as well as the cruse control not working. After driving another 2 1/2 hours at less than posted speed, we had another flat tire out of the blue, so we pulled off the highway. This time it was the Rear Right tire that was flat, and again no object in the tire. Did this issue cause these flats? I checked Ram's forum's and internet to see that this error meant. What I found out is there are thousands of Ram truck having this same issue. …

Oct 2023

Occasionally after driving 15-30 minutes my dash gives me a quick "auto park brake disengaged" notification and my speedometer goes to 0 while I'm driving, then everything goes back to normal. (Event happens approximately every 3rd to 5th time I drive the vehicle) An additional event has occurred after driving a while my entire dash and screen will blackout as well. I've researched the internet and found that numerous people have the same issue or similar. I've gone to Dealerships and get no help whatsoever, they act like I'm wasting there time and basically ignore me, they said since I can't make the issue happen they can't look at it. I've read the same responses across the internet by other 2018 Ram 1500 owners, it's obvious we don't have a voice to this safety concern. Please look into this matter before someone gets hurt. …

May 2024

The Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) is malfunctioning and causing the ABS light, Electronic Stability Control and other warning lights to be triggered. The failing HCU initially resulted in loss of ABS and traction control. There has been a recall of 2017-2018 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 & 5500 trucks and the recall addresses a defect in the hydraulic control unit (HCU) that could lead to the failure of the anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems. Below is the link to the 24V-896 Safety Recall Report: [redacted] This HCU failure causes the Anti-lock braking system and Traction control system to no longer function limiting function under wet or slippery conditions. This puts the driver and others at risk. Ram settled a class action lawsuit addressing this issue for the above-mentioned vehicles but left out the 1500 series. …

Jan 2025

Brake complaints in other 1500 years

’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26279182159282100471344275743814449
Brake complaints per model year, Ram 1500.

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake problems on the 2018 Ram 1500?

NHTSA has 47 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ram 1500, 7% of the model year's 665 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2018 Ram 1500 brake problems?

No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2018 Ram 1500, though it has 15 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 brake problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.