KnownCarProblems2018 Ram 3500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 805 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 3500, most often about the brakes (83% of complaints, typically around 54,500 miles). It is the most complained-about 3500 model year since 2000 and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ram 3500 problems
Brakes
666 complaints · 83%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the "check brake system" and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while towing a trailer full of horses, the traction control and the ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo and the ecu to be replaced. The vehicle…
Electrical
136 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, integrated trailer brake control.
My 8.4 uconnect touch screen is delaminating cause all types of issues. Function don't work properly when trying to use it. It will randomly select functions & hinders safe driving practices. This is a known cause but dealer will not repair based on mileage of truck which is 45k. The cost is outrageous to have…
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…
Speed control
108 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
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…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS and electronic brake fault light and message randomly activated with a beeping sound. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed about NHTSA campaign number: 24v896000…
Driver assistance
60 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, warnings.
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…
Other or unspecified
37 complaints · 5%My 2018 3500 Ram has been at shelor motor miles 3 weeks with no real answer on what's going on with it! They stated it was the turbo that was defaulted and now it's the cooling and c converter! This was a brand new truck paid in full at the time of purchase with 16k miles on it now that has quit! This is a company…
On multiple occasions the shift arm would not move while vehicle was in park and foot brake was depressed. Seemed like the safety device that prevents an automatic shifting arm from slipping out of park without brake depressed did not release. Vehicle was on flat level ground, the only way to correct problem required…
Wheels and tires
34 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, hub.
We purchased a 2018 Ram 3500 dually with nexen tires on it at 13,000 miles the belts in the front tires came apart at this time after doing some checking on line this has been going on with the nexen tires beginning in 2017 there are many reports about the nexen tires completely coming apart when towing. We contacted…
Riding down interstate 75 and vehicle began shimmying to the point of had to drive below 40 MPH. Drove to Ram dealership in lake city fl. Was told the right front tire was separating. Mind you, it only had 13,000 miles on it. Ram dealership said they were seeing a lot of this with these nexen roadian htx tires. They…
Steering
34 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
Welded draglink rendering the front suspension not able to be aligned. This was the approved recall process from fca. This is not an acceptable response to the issue, just a bandaid to the underlying issue. The recall was approved by fca and NHTSA. Approved repairs were performed by chrysler dodge jeep Ram crestview…
When hitting bumps or uneven pavement at speeds above 50 MPH the truck will sometimes start shuddering and vibrating violently almost causing total loss of control. The only way to stop it is to come to a complete stop. It does not do it on all bumps or rough roads. It seems to be more frequent when hitting a bump in…
Transmission
23 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly.
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…
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
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ram 3500 recalls
Air bags: inflator
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: 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. Fca's numbers for this recall are 83c, 91c, and 92c. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning september 18, 2025.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: 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. Fca's numbers for this recall are 05c, 09c, and 10c.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Fca's number for this recall is c4b.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on november 30, 2021. Campaign y36 owner notification letters were mailed on november 30, 2021. Campaign y26 owner notification letters were mailed on december 1, 2021. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US's numbers for this recall are y26 and y36.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US's number for this recall is v44. Note: 2015-2017 my ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18v-486 for this issue.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: connection
Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v06.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is u56.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: software
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Full defect summary
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 within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u11.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began february 14, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "product safety recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is t82.
Full defect summary
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. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2017/rmisc-17e062-5427.pdf
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Post recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure
Summary
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 of the btsi described in the voqs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17v-821 or 18v-100.both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the btsi locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of park without
Loss of brake performance
Summary
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.â consumers complained that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light illuminated on their vehicles.â the ABS module works in conjunction with the hydraulic control unit (hcu), an electromechanical device that controls hydraulic pressure to the individual wheel brake assemblie
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Summary
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). â the drag link failures were found to be due to a safety defect with the steering linkage where the drag link adjustable connector (used to adjust the steering system), held in position by two opposing jam nuts, can loosen.â â the loosening of this part can lead to wear and deterioration of the threads and eventual separation of the drag link, causing loss of steering.â during the course of pe18016, it was found that two styles of drag link
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Summary
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. The failures were found to be at a threaded coupler within the drag link used for adjusting the length of the linkage during routine maintenance (alignment) of the steering system.once separation occurs, turning the steering wheel has no effect, and there is no way for the driver to
Questions about the 2018 Ram 3500
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ram 3500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (666 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); electrical (136 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles); speed control (108 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 3500 have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 11, 2025 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ram 3500?
- It is the most complained-about 3500 model year since 2000, with 805 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.