Problems · by component
2018 Ram 1500 engine problems
110 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 1500 cite engine, 16% of all 667 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
110
16% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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,…”
“As we were driving along the freeway at highway speeds, the dash lights completely cut out on my ram 1500 2019. At first, this seemed to simply affect the visibility of the central console, speed controls, light indicators, etc. But then as we continued on and proceeded to exit the freeway, the entire vehicle shut down and lost total power steering speed control and power braking. I had to rapidly exit and take at safety on side of the road before completely losing control. Previously we had lost power to the video control display but it had never lost power before. We had also previously experienced where we were on the freeway at freeway speeds and the cruise control just rapidly shut down the same time as the video console shut down and the vehicle proceeded to slow rapidly and unexpectedly. After the incidence of losing cruise control and losing the central display, we took the vehicle multiple times to a ram authorized dealer service center in salt lake City as well as an independent shop. Neither could replicate and the issue as it is severely intermittent. We continued to use the vehicle given their clean bill of health. However, this incident showed a…”
“EGR cooler failed while driving on May 29, 2026. Towed truck to Greenville Chrysler that day. EGR cooler, melted intake manifold and melted wiring harness are being replaced. Service Advisor says "Safety Recall VB1 / NHTSA 19V-757 Diesel EGR Cooler" was accomplished in 2021. Per the Recall, the EGR cooler is replaced with a new part number. Accomplishment of this recall clearly did not eliminate the problem of egr cooler failure and the resulting damage to intake manifold and wiring. Do i have any financial recourse in this case due to recalled parts failing again ? I have requested that the dealer provide failed parts upon completion of reparis. Myself and others were put at risk when my truck lost all power on IH-30 in traffic before daylight. Dealer has verbally indicated that the egr cooler failed and melted intake manifold and wiring harness. No inspection by anybody except dealer service shop. No warning lamps or other symptoms noticed before failure.”
“I have a 2018 Ram 1500 ecodiesel with the 2nd gen 3.0L V6 diesel engine. This engine has a well known defect causing the tone wheel to delaminate and stall the engine. This is what happened to me and the dealership is telling me I need my tone wheel and position sensor replaced. Per what you have put out [XXX] My truck should be covered under the recall 73A as I meet all the requirements. Stellantis is denying my replacement. The dealership performed 66A and is telling me they are being rejected by Stellantis for 73A or any other work. Stellantis has been giving me the run around and throwing every excuse in the book why they won’t do it. The most recent excuse is they say the website provided is not a legitimate webpage so they aren’t going to follow the NHTSA guidelines it sets forth. Per the 2023 update to the class action ruling my truck is supposed to be covered, and after looking online there are hundreds of others facing the same problems. There is even a petition with 250 signatures online about this issue. Short of filing a class action I’m not sure what else to do. According to everything I’m reading per the NHTSA I’m in the right, but FCA/Stellantis…”
“Although the carfax states the EGR Cooler has already been serviced and there are no active recalls at this time, EGR Cooler failure has been determined by an independent service center. The vehicle is available for inspection. A potential fire from the EGR Cooler failure puts the driver's life and any passenger's lives at risk. The symptoms are substantial coolant loss with absence of leakage causing the engine to overheat. This symptom has been present since the time I purchased the vehicle in February 2026.”
“All of a sudden while driving or idling engine will complete shut itself off. Rpm to 0 and if driving truck has shift to park to start. Once shifter to park and restarting car truck will start right back up however this issue has been ongoing and Dodge/ram has been no help with a solution. Brought it to an outside mechanic and after having a ton checked either pointing to a faulty PCM or TIPM module. Recent discovery is the tipm also know as the main fuse box under the hood is overheating - causing the truck to stall out”
Showing 6 of 110 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.