MYRModel Year Report

2018 Ram 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2018 Ram 2500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ram 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 2009: 5 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 178 complaints 2014: 340 complaints 2015: 211 complaints 2015 2016: 253 complaints 2017: 669 complaints 2018: 2486 complaints 2018 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 161 complaints 2021: 102 complaints 2021 2022: 171 complaints 2023: 47 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2024 2025: 56 complaints 2026: 17 complaints 2026
2018: 2486 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20095
20100
20110
20120
2013178
2014340
2015211
2016253
2017669
20182486
2019188
2020161
2021102
2022171
202347
202454
202556
202617

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 72%

72% of complaints: service brakes — 1796 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS system failure, recirculation pump failure, code C0020, Ran off road while ABS and traction control was off during wet conditions. Unsafe to drive due to safety failure on ABS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230913

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 DODGE PRO-MASTER RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, UPON EXITING AND RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE AHD ROLLED AWAY DOWN A HILL AND MADE A RIGHT TURN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200219

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 455 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

ABS system failure, recirculation pump failure, code C0020, Ran off road while ABS and traction control was off during wet conditions. Unsafe to drive due to safety failure on ABS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230913

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 352 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13%

13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 316 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6%

6% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 151 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

ABS system failure, recirculation pump failure, code C0020, Ran off road while ABS and traction control was off during wet conditions. Unsafe to drive due to safety failure on ABS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230913

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2018 — complaint volume: 2486
R 20180214 — equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.

Campaign 17V824000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180226 — power train

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

R 20180604 — electrical system, vehicle speed control

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

R 20180802 — back over prevention

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

R 20181203 — steering

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.

Remedy: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.

Campaign 18E096000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20181217 — PE (closed 20191212)

Steering loss due to linkage separation

R 20190322 — steering

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190523 — latches/locks/linkages

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

I 20191201 — EA (closed 20251120)

Steering loss due to linkage separation

I 20221128 — PE (closed 20250303)

Loss of Brake Performance

R 20250109 — service brakes, hydraulic

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025.

Campaign 24V896000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250213 — air bags

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

I 20250703 — RQ (open)

Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure

R 20250925 — air bags

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 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (1796 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (455 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (352 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 17V824000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V100000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V398000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18E096000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V021000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V347000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V896000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V010000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V592000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ◆ 2014 ◆ 2016

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Ram 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Ram 2500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ram 2500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 72% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 2500 have?

10 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.