Most common 2018 Ram 3500 problems
Share of the 807 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ram 3500 complaints by model year
Best 3500 years: 2023, 2021, 2013. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 2022, 2025, 2014. Compare all years →
2018 Ram 3500 recalls (10)
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.
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge.
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.
Show 4 more recalls
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.
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 3500:
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 3500 owners say
Brakes all 667 →
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received a 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 30 MPH while approaching a stop on a wet road, a nearby vehicle had merged into their lane; however, the vehicle failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The service brake and ABS warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle had impacted the rear end of a nearby vehicle. No police report was filed. No injuries or medical attention were sought. The local dealer was contacted; however, parts were not available. The contact was concerned that the recall had no parts for approximately 3 years, and the recall was expanded to include his vehicle's VIN however, still no parts were made available for the recall remedy. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss in automotive power and failed to respond as intended to the brake pedal being depressed. The ABS and Traction Control warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the failure caused the contact to lose control and crash into a ditch. No air bags were deployed. Medical attention was not sought and no injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle failed to restart as intended and was towed to a local dealer. The local dealer replaced the PCM however, the parts to repair the ABS and HECU were not available. …
Electrical system all 137 →
The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal cracking sound and smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact inspected and used a fire extinguisher to slow the smoke and electrical sparks down. The contact did not notice any fire. The fire department arrived and disconnected the electrical cables to prevent further damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was traveling on vacation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was later towed to an RV service center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated there was an abnormal dinging sound coming from the vehicle while driving. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The traction control symbol was displayed. The service ABS message was displayed. The contact stated that the ParkSense rear sensor message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted, but was unable to repair the vehicle due to parts unavailability. The contact called other local dealers, Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Lewisville (1024 S Stemmons Fwy, Lewisville, TX 75067( and Klement Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM (3520 US-287, Decatur, TX 76234), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called, but there was no answer. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Speed control & acceleration all 108 →
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake, cruise control, and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the cruise control and ABS failed to function as intended. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the contact stated that a beeping sound was persistent. The contact was annoyed by the persistent beeping while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light intermittently flashed on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that an audible chime was sounded with the warning light illuminated and the ABS, traction control, and cruise control features became inoperable. The contact stated that the failure almost caused two crashes due to the lack of the ABS functionality. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was notified of the recall; however, the contact was informed that the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact was given the same information as the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ram 3500 a good car?
Based on 807 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 3500 rates avoid: 6.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the 3500 at the same age. It is one of the 3500 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 3500?
The brakes — 667 complaints, 83% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock › abs warning light. Next are the electrical system (137) and speed control & acceleration (108).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 3500 have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2018 Ram 3500, 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 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 2022, 2025 and 2014. See the full Ram 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 44,000 miles; 53% 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.