Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Ram 1500 problems
Owners filed 667 complaints about the 2018 Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Jan 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (159).
Complaints
667
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
25
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system159
- Engine110
- Steering90
- Fuel/propulsion system81
- Power train60
- Fuel system, diesel52
- Engine and engine cooling46
- Service brakes43
- Vehicle speed control31
- Suspension22
- Air bags19
- Back over prevention17
- Structure15
- Visibility/wiper15
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
25
48
70
76
65
117
108
89
69
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 48 |
| 2020 | 70 |
| 2021 | 76 |
| 2022 | 65 |
| 2023 | 117 |
| 2024 | 108 |
| 2025 | 89 |
| 2026 | 69 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
159 reports4 crashes3 fires2 related recalls
“After driving through a heavy downpour, power steering cut out intermittently. The next day, it became full inoperable. Repair shop initially suggested letting the controls "dry out". When that was unsuccessful, the shop suggested taking it to a dealer, stating that the entire rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced. I took it to a dealer, and they claimed the assembly failed, need to be replaced, and was on a 45-day minimum back order.”
Engine
110 reports3 fires
“XXX, [XXX] East Bound 9:30 PM, , pulling a tandem-axle boat and trailer 6000# GVW , the truck slowed suddenly, in traffic 62 MPH. I contacted CJDR dealers in [XXX], and [XXX], and both stated there was no recall, warranty, or goodwill repair, available for my truck. [XXX] told me the same, when I called. I took the truck to an independent diesel shop, in [XXX] to just go ahead and have a CPS (crankshaft position sensor, and tone wheel) put in. He said both the CJDR dealers and Stellantis told him the truck was “ineligible” for the repair parts kit – he was unable to obtain one. They claimed *my* truck did not have the faulty tone wheel assembly. In the mean time, the code he documented P0335, did not return, and I continued to drive the truck, until XXX, 11:00PM I-4 [XXX] about the 106MM, the truck did the same thing, same trailer, same danger. After restart, limping home, OBDii code P0335, was present. On XXX, I took the truck for diagnosis, to New Smyrna CJDR, and they completed replacement of the CPS and tone wheel, today, XXX. The repair cost me 3,470.98 on Invoice Number XXX. I purchased the truck from New Smyrna CJDR, three months after it was built,…”
Steering
90 reports4 crashes
“1. The electronic power steering system on my 2018 Dodge Ram began malfunctioning intermittently, with the power steering going in and out, before eventually failing completely. I was informed that due to the design of the system, the entire rack-and-pinion assembly must be replaced because of the design. 2. The intermittent steering failure progressed to a complete loss of power steering assistance, creating a serious safety concern. Difficulty steering can affect the driver's ability to maneuver, respond quickly to traffic, and maintain control in emergency situations. Driving under these conditions puts me and other motorists at risk. I depend on this vehicle to get to work, but I cannot safely drive it with the steering system malfunctioning. Being unable to use my vehicle also creates a significant hardship because I must maintain my employment and daily responsibilities. 3. The problem has been identified as a failure of the electronic power steering system. I have been informed that the entire rack-and-pinion assembly must be replaced because of the way the system is designed. I have also been told that the required replacement part is on national…”
Fuel/propulsion system
81 reports1 fire
“I am filing a formal complaint regarding a FAILED RECALL REMEDY and subsequent CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE creating a severe fire hazard on my 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.In April, the official Z46 High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) recall repair was completed on my vehicle. Within one month of the repair, the Check Engine Light illuminated. I returned the vehicle to the authorized dealership (Lakeland Chrysler Dodge), where technicians dismissed the light as a minor "sensor issue" and stated it was resolved. Shortly after, the light returned a second time, and the dealership dismissed it again as a "programming error".Recently, the high-pressure fuel pump system suffered a catastrophic failure. The failure of the recall component directly caused severe consequential damage to the connected fuel return tube (Part #68229388AA), resulting in an active, dangerous fuel leak in the engine bay.Both the dealership and the manufacturer (Stellantis / Mopar Corporate, Case #98037315) are actively refusing to honor the federal safety recall mandate. They are trying to classify this as an out-of-pocket consumer expense, despite clear evidence that the initial recall remedy failed to…”
Power train
60 reports3 crashes4 related recalls
“San Antonio Tx was driving this morning in a light mist had my son in the truck the vehicle ahead of me came to an abrupt stop and I had to hit my brakes pretty hard and without the abs working properly I am impacted by the ABS controller failure However, I was surprise at how few have files formal NTHSA complaints on a serious issue that appears to impact thousands of trucks prior to 2019. The only way to move this ball forward and get injunctive relief is to inform NTHSA. To Whom It May Concern at NHTSA, I am filing this safety complaint regarding a defective ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on my 2018 Ram 1500 TRADESMAN CREW CAB 4x4 5.7L Hemi with approximately 200,000 miles. DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The ABS HCU has failed, resulting in complete loss of anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, 4WD and cruise control. This is an identical failure mode to the defect addressed under NHTSA Recall 24V-896, which covered 2017-2018 Ram 2500-5500 trucks. My 2017 Ram 1500 uses the same or substantially similar HCU component and is experiencing the identical failure. SAFETY RISK: The loss of ABS, ESC, 4WD and traction control significantly…”
Fuel system, diesel
52 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). After retrieving the vehicle, while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the injector was damaged and the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be repaired. The contact stated that the technician had botched the repair. The dealer was no longer returning calls. The contact was several states away from the residence. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and opened a case for reimbursement. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.