2018 Ram 3500 Collision Avoidance Problems

62 owners have reported driver assistance problems with the 2018 Ram 3500 to NHTSA — 8% of all 807 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 179,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 11 3500 model years for collision avoidance complaints (a typical year has 4). One related recall has been issued.

62complaints
179ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Automatic emergency braking
    40
  • Adaptive cruise control
    23
  • Warnings
    3

Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control activated, the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the cruise control then deactivated independently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

Adaptive cruise control · 161,000 miles · May 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was black. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 179,000. The VIN was not available.

179,000 miles · Oct 2024

This recall notice, was first identified in September or October, with the Official Communication issued in November of 2024. How long am I, or anyone expected to endure the nuances of this recall. We are well beyond 6 months now with no remedy, and it does not appear as if RAM\Stellantis is concerned with a fix. They've sent a disclaimer notice, but what is the resolve to a vehicle I purchased and continue to make a monthly payment towards - but you are basically telling me don't drive. Alternatively, dealership service advisors call me every six weeks to come in for a diagnostic ( not free of course ) only to say well it is related to the HCU so there isn't anything we can do right now. When\If I drive my vehicle I have to listen to a buckle your seatbelt type of alarm the entire drive. Its not only mind numbing its traumatic. …

Automatic emergency braking · Jan 2025

Pulling a travel trailer in the mountains on vacation this month my Service ABS light started coming on and off intermittently and the alarm would sound each time. Each time my cruse control would turn off and I wasn't sure if my emergency ABS brakes were going to work, or not, if I needed them to pulling my trailer with my wife in the truck. I was 1,500 mile away from home and this created a stressful circumstance for me the rest of the trip. Upon arriving home, I discovered on the web that this is a know problem with Dodge RAMs of this year model. I also saw recall notices associated with 2018 models, just one year younger than mine with the exact same symptoms. Obviously, this problem didn't get fixed for the 2018 model year. I am quite concerned that my truck may not be safe and the ABS problem needs to be addressed. …

Automatic emergency braking · Jun 2024

On my 2018 RAM 3500 beginning on Memorial Day 2023, the instrument cluster began flashing with a loud door type chime. The cluster began cycling through messages including Service Electronic Braking System, ABS Failure, and illuminating alarms. Upon testing with a code reader I was presented with the following codes: C0020-01 ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electrical Failure and U0402-00 Implausible Data Received from TCM. Upon internet investigation, I discovered this is not an uncommon problem with several hundred reports available on ramforumz.com and other sites. According to several complainants, the repair for this will cost in excess of $2000 with one complainant stating this has had to be repaired twice as the replacement components are also faulty. …

Adaptive cruise control · May 2023

The service ABS braking system warning flashes on with a chime frequently when driving. This started 3 weeks ago. According to the Ram Forums this is a common problem with 2018 trucks. My truck is a 2018 with 352623 miles on it and according to the Dick Hannah dealership a part that is out of warranty. There is no replacement part since the original inventory was all pulled back from the dealerships to the manufacturer due to the incidences of failure. This information was given to me by the Dick Hannah parts manager. He said a newer more reliable version of the brake module is being built but replacements are not expected for at least 4 months. Ram knows the part is and was defective, i am out of warranty and have a dangerous truck to drive for the next 4 to 5 months then a estimated $1500 repair bill. …

Automatic emergency braking · Aug 2023

ABS Module Failure, This has been a re-occurring issue that nearly caused an accident. The abs and traction control lights come on intermittently and disables the ABS/traction control emergency braking system. The issue has existed for 2 months, the dealer tells me it needs a new control module which is not available till some time in 2023. There advise was watch my following distance and maintain lower speeds. Unfortunately yesterday the light came on and stayed on for 50 miles plus, due to an accident on the highway all traffic had to stop quickly, when i applied heavy braking my wheels locked up and the truck started to slide sideways, i was able manually get control by fluffing the brakes but had i panicked i would have had a collision. when i got the truck to a full stop i was inches from a small compact car. …

Automatic emergency braking · Dec 2022

Hello, I have an issue with the ABS Braking system on my 2018 RAM 3500 with only 50K miles on it. The lights are constantly coming on and off telling me that my ABS system needs servicing. this has been going on for two weeks. I was able to troubleshoot the problem and it says that my ABS pump and Module needs replacing. I was going to replace myself and when I ordered the parts from MOPAR they told me it was a 2 month lead time which I thought was unacceptable being such critical components to a vehicle. This week I almost rear ended another vehicle because the brakes failed. I have been online reading about the stories of these same complaints from many RAM & JEEP owners. How this company is getting away with safety issue is beyond me as this is going back to 2023, how are there no safety recalls on this not issued yet and customers not being reimbursed for the repairs. …

Automatic emergency braking · Oct 2024

Warning lights for the ABS and the Electronic Brake System illuminated while driving, stating the systems must be serviced. The Cruise Control would either turn off or become nonfunctional. The tone would sound and the warning lights would illuminate. I took the truck in to the dealership after it happened but the lights would not come on while I was there. The dealership told me they could do nothing about it. After that, the tone began to sound and the lights came on again. We finally made it to the dealership when they could see the warnings. The service technician inspected the ABS and found that the ABS HCU had shorted internally. Further inspection found the ABS Module also shorted internally. Two trips were made to the dealership because the dealership did not have the parts in stock. …

Automatic emergency braking · Mar 2024

I have not been involved in an accident yet. You can't drive the truck because the warning goes every 2 minutes. The brake hydraulic control unit has failed and they will not fix the truck. I can't pull my camper. I have at least 6 hours on the phone with Ram and they say there is nothing they can do. The dealer ship says they have the part that is on the truck now, but Ram will not allow them to install it. It's not the new part. Mean while my truck is useless until they fix it. They have been aware of this issue since 2017 and they still do not have a replacement part. The right thing for them to do is put the they have on hand on it so I can a least drive the truck. The truck has 90k miles on it. The vin # [redacted] . My contact info is [redacted]

Automatic emergency braking · Jun 2025

Related recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 18V-398 · Jun 14, 2018 · 1,837 vehicles

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.

Collision Avoidance complaints in other 3500 years

’07’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2614166224432107
Collision Avoidance complaints per model year, Ram 3500.

Frequently asked questions

How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2018 Ram 3500?

NHTSA has 62 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2018 Ram 3500, 8% of the model year's 807 complaints. The component named most often is automatic emergency braking (40 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2018 Ram 3500 collision avoidance problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-398 (camera, Jun 14, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2018 Ram 3500 collision avoidance problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 179,000 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.