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

2018 RAM 3500

No clear pattern

1% of complaints about the 2018 RAM 3500 arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2018 vehicle, but with only 1,150 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is service brakes (497 complaints), typically at 5.9 yr or about 29,000 miles.

Complaints
1,150
Median age at failure
5.9 yr
Median mileage
40,000 n=224
Crash / fire / tow
2.5% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes
497 reports · 29,000 mi
5.9 yr
0.8%
Service brakes, hydraulic
140 reports · 60,000 mi
7.2 yr
5.7%
Electrical system
134 reports · 44,000 mi
5.8 yr
0.7%
Speed control
107 reports · 40,000 mi
5.9 yr
0%
Collision avoidance
64 reports · 161,000 mi
5.9 yr
0%
Other
34 reports · 34,000 mi
5.7 yr
2.9%
Steering
34 reports · 17,640 mi
2.5 yr
14.7%
Wheels
25 reports · 13,000 mi
4.4 yr
16%
Power train
23 reports · 1,000 mi
5.3 yr
4.3%
Service brakes, air
21 reports · 44,000 mi
5.0 yr
0%
Engine
15 reports · 86,000 mi
4.8 yr
0%

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.

21V398000 2021-05-27
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.

Wheel separation can cause a vehicle 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.

In owners’ own words

Power train 1,000 mi 7 mo in service
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND I SWITCHED TO 4X4 LOCK. AS I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY AT 3 MILES AN HOUR IN REVERSE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN CLOCKWISE THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE IN MOTION FOR ROUGHLY 7 FEET. IT ALSO SHOOK AS I ACCELERATED IN DRIVE SLIGHTLY AT 3 MILES AN HOUR WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN COUNTER CLOCKWISE. IT HAD THE SAME SHAKE IN 4X4 LOW.
Power train 1,800 mi 10 mo in service
TRUCK SHUDDERS WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND AGAIN FROM 2ND TO THIRD . SHUDDER HARD ENOUGH TO SEE TO DASH SHACK. SHIFTING SHUDDER HARD WHILE TOWING. BLUE TOOTH CUTS OUT WHILE STREAMING MUSIC
Power train 36 mi 1.8 yr in service
TRANSMISSION HAS A WHINING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH THE FIRST 3 GEARS, DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL
Service brakes 5,000 mi 11 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE HILL ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDER MCLARTY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6533 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE NO MORE PROBLEMS. *JB

Other 3500 model years

202620252022202120202019201820172016201520142013

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