Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the contact pressed the auto memory button on the front driver's side seat and became aware that the electronic control unit on the vehicle had reset itself and radio which caused the front driver's and passenger's side rearview mirrors to open and close independently. Additionally, the front driver's and passenger's side windows activated independently. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed the failure with an electronic control unit failure however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer, Wake Forest Dodge RAM (10936 Star Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587, [phone]) who inspected the vehicle and confirmed the failure with the electronic control unit in the radio. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated and the cruise control inadvertently disengaged, causing the vehicle to decelerate. The contact had not lost control of the vehicle or electrical power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with electrical failure. The contact was informed that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced and a software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that it was a common issue with the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and no assistance was offered as the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact stated that she researched the failure online and found a recall for the 2019-2022 Ram 2500 with a similar failure. …
Please add this to complaint number: 11702732 This is a supplemental complaint regarding the same safety issue I previously reported involving Safety Recall C4B on my 2018 Ram 2500 - complaint # 11702732 In addition to the safety concerns and the prior accident I described in my original complaint, the unresolved recall has also caused significant financial harm. I still owe approximately $15,100 on the vehicle and must make a $515 monthly payment. Because the recall remedy has been unavailable for years, I cannot legally sell or trade the vehicle, even though it should have substantial equity. The truck's resale value has dropped due to the open safety recall with no remedy, leaving me financially stuck with an unsafe vehicle I cannot get rid of and a high payment that I currently cannot afford due to job loss. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and hauling an RV, the trailer brakes intermittently became inoperable. The message "Trailer Brakes Disconnected - Check Trailer Wiring" was displayed. The contact replaced the trailer wiring; however, the failure persisted. 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the HCU had failed, and the failure was related to the trailer brakes' failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the recall remedy was available. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle, there were dings and bells sounding for approximately 4 to 5 miles. The "Service Electronic Braking System" message was displayed and the cruise control was inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer informed the contact that parts were available, but the dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The contact called two other dealers, South Richmond Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram - Parts Department South Richmond Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram - Service Department (4510 Whitehill Blvd, Prince George, VA 23875), and Whitten Brothers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Parts Store Whitten Brothers of Richmond Service Center (10701 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235). The vehicle had been inspected at the Virginia state inspection station. …
My 2018 Ram 2500 was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The vehicle in front of me had to slam on their brakes for an object in the roadway. When I slammed on my brakes, the ABS and Traction Control lights lit up on the dash, my tires locked up, and I skid approx 100' and rear ended the vehicle in front of me. There was no shoulder to pull off to and oncoming vehicles in the other lane. There was no way out of the collision. If the ABS system had worked properly, my vehicle and the vehicle in front if me would not have collided. The faulty component is the Hydraulic Power Unit for the Antilock Braking System. The last time I brought the truck in for service at Southland Dodge in Houma, LA, USA, they offered to fix the recall. I gladly accepted. When I picked the vehicle up the system was still malfunctioning.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after two weeks of not driving the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact jumpstarted the vehicle and made an appointment with the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the battery. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on two other occasions; however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the traction control and cruise control failed to operate as needed. The alert for the ABS was inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed HCU, and the pump and the control unit were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted on two occasions and informed that there was no time frame for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 72,205.
Related 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.
Electrical complaints in other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 476 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Ram 2500, 18% of the model year's 2,606 complaints. The component named most often is integrated trailer brake control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ram 2500 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 2500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.