Problems · by component

2018 Ram 1500 engine and engine cooling problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 1500 cite engine and engine cooling, 7% of all 667 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
46
7% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled but was almost immediately restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the destination and turned off; however, while attempting to restart, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the crankshaft position tone wheel had completely delaminated and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the mechanic that there was a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Several dealers were contact and provided the same information. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11714176
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, his granddaughter smelled an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact looked out of the rearview mirror and saw heavy white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and had the occupants exit the vehicle. The contact checked under the hood as white smoke filled the engine compartment. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. Due to the failure, the contact initially had the vehicle towed to the residence before it was later towed to an independent mechanic. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the mechanic discovered coolant had leaked into the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler. The mechanic also discovered that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact was informed that any repair to the vehicle would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2025Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11698554
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH up a hill, there was an abnormal banging sound come from the vehicle, and the vehicle experienced engine failure. The contact stated there was oil leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that there was a large oil leak on the passenger’s side of the engine. The contact stated that there was a hole on the upper part of the engine and the vehicle was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11676737
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel. The contact was informed that the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel had delaminated. No warning lights were illuminated. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11657234
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) and 23V411000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle hesitated before functioning normally. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, dieselODI 11652879

Showing 6 of 46 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Engine and engine cooling

Remedy pending

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jun 8, 2023NHTSA 23V411000

Engine and engine cooling: diesel

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Engine and engine coolingReported Aug 13, 2020NHTSA 20V475000

Engine and engine cooling: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

Free remedy

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. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 24, 2019NHTSA 19V757000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.