2018 Ram 3500 Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
  4
• Integrated trailer brake control
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  640%
• 25k–50k
  213%
• 50k–75k
  320%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  213%
• 150k+
  213%

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 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.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while servicing the vehicle, it was discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact stated that the owner had experienced the failure, causing the vehicle to veer to the passenger's side while braking, and the check engine, ABS, and ESC warning lights remained illuminated, and the speedometer was intermittently inoperable. The failure mileage was 121,407

The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced random electrical failures related to the MY TOUCH home screen. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently call random phone numbers including the SOS help button, as well as the local police station's number stored in the contact's phone. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that because his home screen had started to delaminate, this failure was a known result on several model vehicles. The contact also called the dealer and they acknowledged that the failure was a known issue and was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. 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 various speeds, the instrument panel failed to provide the speed. The GPS was used a temporary indicator of the speed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, with a warning light that the front bumper parking sensor was inoperable was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,489.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact observed that the check engine warning light was illuminated and the coolant temperature warning light was also illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and turned off the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the thermostat, coolant sensor, and air intake heater relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V798000 (Electrical System) however, neither the VIN nor the vehicle year was included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS and brake warning lights was flashing on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; the diagnostic showed a faulty computer module had caused the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 RAM 3500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000; however, the contact discovered through the original owner of the vehicle that the current mileage was 217,000.

UConnect 8.4 Screen Delamination - The integrated radio/communication/vehicle functions module screen is delaminating on a vast number of vehicles. The repair according to RAM dealerships is a complete replacement of the screen and the controller at a cost of nearly $2000 per vehicle. While initially most believe this to be a radio issue the systems are integrated to multiple functions of the vehicle including: front and rear cameras, front and rear parking sensors, ride height controls, HVAC controls, seating controls, and a number of other systems. It also includes access to a number of phone systems including emergency calling. Due to the integrated nature of this equipment a major recall should be conducted on affected systems and also a forced reimbursement to owners of vehicles that have had to pay out of pocket for repairs or diagnostics. …

Related recalls

Electrical complaints in other 3500 years