2018 Ram 1500
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1250 |
| 2014 | 1731 |
| 2015 | 1425 |
| 2016 | 1500 |
| 2017 | 858 |
| 2018 | 640 |
| 2019 | 1445 |
| 2020 | 607 |
| 2021 | 654 |
| 2022 | 582 |
| 2023 | 182 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 288 |
| 2026 | 57 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
24% of complaints: electrical system — 151 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY17% of complaints: engine — 108 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 78 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: steering — 76 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
My power steering failed Yes available for inspection Power steering would lock up driving down the road which put my life and everybody around me in danger. The warning light didnât come on until steering completely failed
NHTSA ODI report, 20231027
Three times since January 2023, the steering has locked down while driving. The driver has had no control over steering momentarily. The latest incident caused the vehicle to strike a concrete pillar surrounding a stop sign in a parking lot.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230930
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35-45 MPH WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND I FELT MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP. IT WOULDN'T LET ME TURN MY WHEEL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180817
8% of complaints: power train — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2018 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, she heard an abnormal clicking sound and upon attempting to decrease in speed by depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231002
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V100000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V332000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V556000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V347000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V757000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V475000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V632000 — check if this car was fixed
High pressure fuel pump failure
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 23V411000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V406000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 25V010000 — check if this car was fixed
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 25V592000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Ram 1500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (151 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (108 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (78 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 18V100000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V280000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V398000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V556000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V524000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V347000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V324000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V475000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V632000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V411000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V406000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V010000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V592000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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FAQ
Is the 2018 Ram 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Ram 1500 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ram 1500?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 1500 have?
15 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.