2018 Ram 1500 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Driveline › Differential unit
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1155%
• 25k–50k
  315%
• 50k–75k
  210%
• 75k–100k
  315%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  15%

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 that while driving at 80 MPH, she heard an abnormal clicking sound and upon attempting to decrease in speed by depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down. The steering wheel then failed to function and control of the vehicle was lost. As a result, the vehicle careened off the road and into a barrier wall. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the actuator had broken in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact noticed a loud popping sound and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was driven to the place of employment. At the end of the workday, while the contact was driving and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact heard two loud bangs. Additionally, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact parked the vehicle, and the vehicle was turned off. However, the vehicle rolled backwards. The parking brake was engaged to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rear differential failure and the front axle and full rear differential needed to be replaced. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while changing the passenger's side rear wheel, the vehicle was lifted by the jack. The contact stated that the gear shifter independently shifted out of gear, and the vehicle moved forward and fell off the jack. The contact stated that he was underneath the vehicle when the failure occurred. The contact stated that the tire stopped the vehicle from falling to the ground. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked for two days and sitting on a flat tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,130.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and in park(P), the gear shifter could be moved out of the park(P) position without depressing the brake pedal. Due to the failure, the vehicle would roll forward which caused a potential safety hazard. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA ID Number: 18V100000(Power Train); however, the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed for the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft. The contact stated that the crankshaft had previously failed and had been repaired in 2021. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 154,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started to decelerate while the contact was attempting to accelerate. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle returned to normal driving. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

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.

Truck has zero warning lights, zero visible issues, nothing is "wrong" with the truck. However, the truck runs horribly. It is terrifying to drive. Anything over 35mph is scary. It drives like the back wheels are about to come out from under it. The truck violently shakes. Sometimes it accelerates, sometimes not, randomly downshift, random upshifts, random power loss, randomly the breaks stop working. The radio has became such a problem that not only can I not use the radio, i cant use the navigation, back up camera, the apps, climate control, settings, nothing in the control unit. Cant even update it because it wont stay on one screen long enough, nothing. The unit bounces around from one tab to another. Its confusing the trucks computer system and has reset itself while on a lift getting serviced. …

My warranty work is being delayed until my warranty expires. The dealership said I could take my vehicle to another location, but that would mean leaving it there for several weeks just to get it inspected. This other dealership is about an hour away, and I live alone, so this isn't feasible. Am I really expected to accommodate the dealership just to get them to honor my warranty? The engine is ticking at idle, which I understand could indicate a failing engine. My truck also has a transmission issue-it slams into first gear when coming to a stop. The dealership looked at it early this summer but said I'd be without a vehicle for a significant amount of time if I left it, and they didn't offer a loaner. This truck was originally purchased for $38,000 and came with a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty. Additionally, the headliner leaked within the first few months of ownership. …

Steering Gear Rack - Steering control rapidly diminished over a short amount of time. Initially was okay but steering began to intermittently stick and wouldn't self-center. Issue became nearly full-time within a month. Got to the point that it required a 'tug' to re-center. Took to a shop to additionally find that the boot clamps had broke themselves loose, causing the boots to separate and freely slide around. Driver seat airbag - service airbag system (?) warning on dash. Loose/bad connector in center console according to a mechanic leading to potential airbag deployment failure. Both of these issues are reportedly exceedingly common among RAMs, with steering gear racks extending as far back as 2013, and the airbag situation commonly effecting at least the '18 models. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other 1500 years