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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system159
  2. Engine110
  3. Steering90
  4. Fuel/propulsion system81
  5. Power train60
  6. Fuel system, diesel52
  7. Engine and engine cooling46
  8. Service brakes43
  9. Vehicle speed control31
  10. Suspension22
  11. Air bags19
  12. Back over prevention17
  13. Structure15
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201825
201948
202070
202176
202265
2023117
2024108
202589
202669

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11763564

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,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11762265

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026SteeringODI 11772722

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11767041

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Steering, Power train, Service brakesODI 11770619

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, dieselODI 11765002
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.