2018 Ram 1500

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Electrical system is the leading concern among 662 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 17 1500 model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 662

Of the 2018 reports, 25 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.

Primary concernElectrical system159 reports · 24% of complaints
Owner complaints662Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship15 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system159
  2. Engine110
  3. Other or unspecified92
  4. Steering86
  5. Fuel/propulsion system81
  6. Fuel system59
  7. Power train59
  8. Diesel52

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorSep 11, 2025

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 25V592000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorJan 16, 2025

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 25V010000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Engine and engine coolingJun 8, 2023

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

    Campaign 23V411000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Fuel system, diesel, delivery, fuel pumpJun 9, 2022

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

    Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.

    Campaign 22V406000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorAug 12, 2021

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

    A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.

    Campaign 21V632000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Engine and engine cooling, engine, dieselAug 13, 2020

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.

    Campaign 20V475000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, gas recirculation valve (egr valve)Oct 24, 2019

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

    Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.

    Campaign 19V757000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Latches/locks/linkages, tailgate, latchMay 9, 2019

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 19V347000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Power train, driveline, driveshaftApr 25, 2019

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.

    A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.

    FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.

    Campaign 19V324000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Power train, axle assemblyAug 23, 2018

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.

    If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U88.

    Campaign 18V556000 on NHTSA.gov

  11. Electrical system, wiring, front underhoodAug 9, 2018

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

    A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

    Campaign 18V524000 on NHTSA.gov

  12. Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJun 14, 2018

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 18V398000 on NHTSA.gov

  13. Electrical system, wiringMay 17, 2018

    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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 18V332000 on NHTSA.gov

  14. Power train, automatic transmissionMay 1, 2018

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

    If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

    Campaign 18V280000 on NHTSA.gov

  15. Power train, automatic transmissionFeb 8, 2018

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 18V100000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

153 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Engine, Mar 29, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE BECAME ILL TO THE POINT OF THROWING UP AND ALMOST PASSING OUT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOCKTON DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 3333 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (209) 956-1920) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST WAS NOT YET COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

  2. Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 7, 2018

    SUDDEN, MOMENTARY (1-3 SEC) DECELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY PARTIAL (?) ELECTRICAL POWER LOSS (NOTED DASHBOARD DISPLAY BLANKED OUT DURING LATEST 2 EVENTS). EVENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES FROM FEB 2018 PURCHASE DATE THROUGH AUG 2018. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 70MPH AND 85 MPH. MORE DETAILS ARE PROVIDED IN THE ATTACHED .PDF FILE (TOO MANY WORDS TO FIT WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THIS DATA ENTRY FIELD).

  3. Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 4, 2018

    I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY, AND MY VEHICLE WENT INTO PARK BY ITSELF. IT APPEARED A STRANGE MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYING 'CAR NOT IN DRIVE, SHIFT TO PARK'. ALSO MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED AN ALERT MESSAGE SAYING 'ALERT: ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, THE VEHICLE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM HAS DETECTED A MALFUNCTION'. ALSO ANOTHER ALERT WAS DISPLAYED AS 'ALERT: ENGINE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION'. NOT ONLY DID MY VEHICLE HAVE THESE MALFUNCTIONS BUT MY HEATED STEERING WHEEL AND SEATS WERE BEING USED BY ITSELF. I WAS NOT IN CONTROL OF THESE PANELS. LAST, MY SENSORS ON MY RAM DO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, IF I AM PULLING UP CLOSE TO AN OBJECT MY SENSORS WILL NOT 'BEEP'. ONLY TIME THEY GO OFF IS IF I HIT THE OBJECTS IN FRONT OF ME. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' WAS ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW 41 F WHEN IN FACT IT WAS 65 F.