What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 RAM 2500

Late-failing

Complaints about the 2018 RAM 2500 cluster late in its life, with the median arriving at 6.0 yr in service — later than all but 5% of 2018 vehicles. Owners report wear, not out-of-the-box defects. The most-reported system is service brakes (1821 complaints), typically at 6.0 yr or about 37,000 miles.

Complaints
3,804
Median age at failure
6.0 yr
Median mileage
53,000 n=608
Crash / fire / tow
2.1% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes
1821 reports · 37,000 mi
6.0 yr
1.1%
Electrical system
473 reports · 34,000 mi
6.0 yr
1.9%
Service brakes, hydraulic
448 reports · 60,000 mi
7.2 yr
3.3%
Speed control
338 reports · 59,000 mi
5.9 yr
0.9%
Collision avoidance
244 reports · 46,000 mi
5.9 yr
0.4%
Other
102 reports · 20,000 mi
6.1 yr
2%
Steering
85 reports · 22,000 mi
5.0 yr
7.1%
Power train
75 reports · 30,000 mi
6.1 yr
8%
Service brakes, air
61 reports · 45,000 mi
5.5 yr
6.6%
Engine
37 reports · 63,000 mi
5.4 yr
8.1%
Suspension
21 reports · 53,000 mi
4.3 yr
9.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V592000 2025-09-11
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.

An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.

25V010000 2025-01-16
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.

An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.

24V896000 2024-11-27
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.

A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.

19V347000 2019-05-09
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. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

19V021000 2019-01-25
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.

A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.

18E096000 2018-10-16
Steering:linkages

Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle.

The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

18V398000 2018-06-14
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."

A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.

18V332000 2018-05-17
Electrical system:wiring

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 Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit with

If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

18V100000 2018-02-08
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 stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

17V824000 2017-12-21
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. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable.

If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Power train 13,200 mi 10 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 2500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED DOWN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY INTO A POND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CAVENAUGH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE, 118 E POPLAR ST, WALNUT RIDGE, AR 72476, (870)-886-2414) WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS BY THE MANUFACTURER FIELD INSPECTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200.
Power train 57 mi 1.2 yr in service
NEW VEHICLE WITH 57 MILES ON ODOMETER DIED WHILE PARKED IDLING. TRIED RESTARTING VEHICLE, RAW FUEL RUNNING OUT OF TAIL-PIPE. TOWED TO I5 DODGE FOR DIAGNOSIS. FOUND PCM BAD. #7 INJECTOR BEING HELD OPEN CONSTANTLY. PCM REPLACED AFTER 1 WEEK WAIT FOR RELEASE FROM NATIONAL BACK-ORDER. VEHICLE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.
Power train mileage not reported 1.5 yr in service
PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT PROPEL THE TRUCK AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BROADSIDE. IT'S LIKE THE GAS PEDAL TOOK 3-4 SECONDS TO SEND FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE TRUCK TO JUST ROLL INSTEAD OF PROPELLING IT DOWN THE ROAD
Service brakes 359 mi 10 mo in service
UPON MAXIMUM EMERGENCY BRAKING AT ANY SPEED, THE TRUCK STOPS AS IF THE BRAKES WHERE WET, IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP WHEN TOWING A UNLOADED 16 FOOT UTILITY TRAILER DOWN HILL IT JUST KEEPS ON GOING UNTIL YOU REACH BOTTOM. TAKEN TO DODGE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL BUT THEY SAY OTHER TRUCKS LIKE CHEVY 2500 CAN STOP A TRAIN.

Other 2500 model years

20252022202120202019201820172016201520142013

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