2018 Ram 3500: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 778 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 11 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
778
Complaints
11
Recalls
15
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
6
Injuries
20.6
Severity index
Severity index 20.6 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 121 2018 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2018 Ram 3500 ranks 108 of 121 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 11% of its model-year peers. See the full 2018 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 642 | 82.5% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 134 | 17.2% |
| HYDRAULIC | 130 | 16.7% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 107 | 13.8% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 60 | 7.7% |
| STEERING | 33 | 4.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 33 | 4.2% |
| WHEELS | 24 | 3.1% |
The single most-reported system is SERVICE BRAKES, cited in 642 of 778 complaints (82.5%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 64 |
| 2023 | 264 |
| 2024 | 197 |
| 2025 | 102 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 75 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 5.5x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18E096000 | 16/10/2018 | 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 |
| 19V347000 | 09/05/2019 | 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 f |
| 18V398000 | 14/06/2018 | 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 |
| 18V332000 | 17/05/2018 | 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 |
| 19V021000 | 25/01/2019 | 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. |
| 21V398000 | 27/05/2021 | 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 s |
| 17V824000 | 21/12/2017 | 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. Th |
| 18V100000 | 08/02/2018 | 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 B |
| 24V896000 | 27/11/2024 | 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 co |
| 25V010000 | 16/01/2025 | 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. |
| 25V592000 | 11/09/2025 | 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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.