Most common 2018 Ram 2500 problems
Share of the 2,606 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ram 2500 complaints by model year
Best 2500 years: 2023, 2021, 2013. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 2025, 2014. Compare all years →
2018 Ram 2500 recalls (9)
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Latches/locks/linkages › Tailgate › Latch
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019.
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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."
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Show 3 more recalls
Electrical system › Software
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…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018.
Equipment
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2018 Ram 2500:
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures…
Loss of Brake Performance
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limited detectability.
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 trucks manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA).
What 2018 Ram 2500 owners say
Brakes all 2,345 →
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the anti-lock brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle slid and crashed into a Jersey barrier. The air bags did not deploy, and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site. The front bumper was later replaced. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who related the failure to the recall but confirmed that parts were not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the ABS and the traction control warning lights were illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH and pulling a trailer, another vehicle pulled in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact slammed on the brakes, but the vehicle failed to respond as intended and crashed into the rear of the other vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy because the vehicle was equipped with a brush guard due to potential collisions with deer in the country area where the contact lived. The contact did not sustain injuries. The other driver sustained unknown injuries, and the other vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact's vehicle was driven away from the scene. A police report was filed. …
Electrical system all 476 →
Hydraulic brake unit failure. yes part is still available for inspection as it is still n the vehicle. I was driving to work at 21:30 hours on 1/1/2025 on a snow covered road. I gently applied the brakes and my truck went into a spin. I was going 25 mph. the abs unit failed and there was no pulsating in the brake pedal and rear brakes locked up sending the truck into an uncontrollable spin. my front left driver side of the vehicle then struck the jersey barrier and vehicle did continue to spin and then struck passenger rear side of the vehicle on the jersey barrier. currently has $17k in damages to the vehicle. I was not injured at the time but currently experiencing lower back pain. there was no lights or warnings on dash until immediately after the collision. I had the ABS HBU replaced a few months back and was told the new unit was part of the old stock and would most likely fail. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like it was sliding, and the braking distance was extended. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the cruise control failed to function as intended. In addition, the remote start-up could start the vehicle, and the vehicle unexpectedly turned off. The ABS, traction control, and engine warning lights were illuminated while driving. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the repair was not yet available. …
Speed control & acceleration all 342 →
Hydraulic brake unit failure. yes part is still available for inspection as it is still n the vehicle. I was driving to work at 21:30 hours on 1/1/2025 on a snow covered road. I gently applied the brakes and my truck went into a spin. I was going 25 mph. the abs unit failed and there was no pulsating in the brake pedal and rear brakes locked up sending the truck into an uncontrollable spin. my front left driver side of the vehicle then struck the jersey barrier and vehicle did continue to spin and then struck passenger rear side of the vehicle on the jersey barrier. currently has $17k in damages to the vehicle. I was not injured at the time but currently experiencing lower back pain. there was no lights or warnings on dash until immediately after the collision. I had the ABS HBU replaced a few months back and was told the new unit was part of the old stock and would most likely fail. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH with the cruise control set, the contact slammed on the brake pedal due to approaching a crash in the roadway and the front tires locked. The contact noticed that the front tires were worn down on 16 inches of the tire. The vehicle was vibrating while driving. The contact replaced the front passenger's side tire. The cruise control was turning on and off independently. The ABS warning light was illuminated and making an abnormal dinging sound. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ram 2500 a good car?
Based on 2,606 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 2500 rates avoid: 12.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the 2500 at the same age. It is one of the 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ram 2500?
The brakes — 2,345 complaints, 90% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock › abs warning light. Next are the electrical system (476) and speed control & acceleration (342).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 2500 have?
There are 9 recalls for the 2018 Ram 2500, the most recent from September 11, 2025 (inflator). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ram 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 2025 and 2014. See the full Ram 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.