2018 Ram 2500 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2018 Ram 2500 include 1 fatality report, 37 crashes and 5 fires across 2,562 filings.

2,562
Complaints
10
Recalls
37
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
12
Injuries
14.1
Severity index

Severity index 14.1 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 14.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 122 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 0% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Service BrakesService Brakes: 2,325 complaints (90.7%)2,325 91%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 471 complaints (18.4%)471 18%HydraulicHydraulic: 441 complaints (17.2%)441 17%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 339 complaints (13.2%)339 13%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 224 complaints (8.7%)224 9%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 103 complaints (4.0%)103 4%SteeringSteering: 85 complaints (3.3%)85 3%Power TrainPower Train: 74 complaints (2.9%)74 3%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
SERVICE BRAKES2,32590.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM47118.4%
HYDRAULIC44117.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL33913.2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2248.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1034.0%
STEERING853.3%
POWER TRAIN742.9%

Complaints filed per year

04509002018: 72019: 322020: 302021: 602022: 1702023: 8992024: 7142025: 3302026: 320 (partial year)181920212223899242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20187
201932
202030
202160
2022170
2023899
2024714
2025330
2026 (year to date)320
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 7.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (1,943 against 260).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18E09600016/10/2018STEERING:LINKAGESStreetcar 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
19V34700009/05/2019LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCHChrysler (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 f
18V39800014/06/2018BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAChrysler (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
18V33200017/05/2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGChrysler (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
19V02100025/01/2019STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTIONChrysler (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.
17V82400021/12/2017EQUIPMENTChrysler (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. Th
18V10000008/02/2018POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONChrysler (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 B
24V89600027/11/2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEChrysler (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 co
25V01000016/01/2025AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATORChrysler (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.
25V59200011/09/2025AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATORChrysler (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.

Other Ram 2500 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-04. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.