2018 Ram 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 159about this part
- Share
- 24%of 667 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,712miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 159 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Ram 1500, 24% of the 667 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,712 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down a windy country road and the cruise control engaged itself and set to 90 MPH while I was driving about 50-55. Cancel did nothing, using the brakes caused them to squeal but the vehicle remained accelerating. I was able to disengage by putting the engine in neutral and using the push button to shut it off.”
NHTSA complaint #11302606, filed 2020-01, 33,000 miles“Drove the vehicle about 4 hours to pick up my daughter. Had the vehicle idling for a while as I waited for her arrive since she was running late. Put the car in drive and started to head home and the service shifter message came on. Then the transmission warning came on as well as a message with the brake system. The service engine light came on as well as the lightening bolt in red. …”
NHTSA complaint #11229947, filed 2019-07, 20,060 miles“1. Radio switches on its own to a different channel. Also switches to a m by itself or sirius xm and I have issues changing it back to what I was listening to. 2.clock function pops up on screen and asks if I need to update the time which I do not. Sometimes I adjust it but it does not clear the screen. Today this morning it was nice and cool this morning and I could not turn on the heat screen showed it was on the heat but it was blowing as the a c was o. It was cold. 3. …”
NHTSA complaint #11390735, filed 2021-01, 60 miles“I was unable to stop vehicle as I was approaching an intersection on a city street went to press on the brakes all the lights started flashing, brake system flashed, no traction light came on, vehicle turned off. Ended up impacting 3 other vehicles and a school bus. My airbags never deployed, and the vehicle was deemed a total loss by my insurance company. All parties were injured in the accident, almost all are seeking representation from attorneys for their injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #11258151, filed 2019-09, 1,844 miles“On february 1, shortly after 9:00 pm central the engine shut off while I was on the interstate. I was in the left hand lane, having just passed as semi a bit earlier. I instinctively tried to start it while it was moving, causing the headlights to go off while I'm doing 75 MPH. At that point started to pull over, though I could barely see the concrete divider and had tried to keep the tires on the rumble strip as I slowed down until I could see the barrier better. Once pulled over, I got it in park, started it, and was able to get home with no issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11394296, filed 2021-02, 27,400 milesRelated recalls
- 18V524000Aug 9, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger…Covers: Ram 1500 2018, Chrysler Pacifica 2017–2019, Jeep Wrangler 2017–2018 +14 more
- 18V332000May 17, 2018Chrysler (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…Covers: Ram 1500 2014–2019, Jeep Grand Cherokee 2014–2018, Chrysler 300 2014–2018 +12 more
Related service bulletins
- 11033975Jun 12, 2026Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
- 11033308May 29, 2026Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
- 11030035Mar 4, 2026Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic…
- 11028904Feb 14, 2026Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS Related Diagnostic…
- 11021585Jul 28, 2025LAMP - DOME
- 11019776Jun 12, 2025LAMP - DOME
- 11018447May 16, 2025"Washer Light On And Will Not Turn Off After Adding Washer Solvent."
- 11017451May 1, 2025LAMP - DOME
- 11016617Apr 4, 2025Rear Defogger Solder Terminals Detached.
- 11013171Jan 25, 2025Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS Related Diagnostic…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 50 | 49% |
| 2025 | 191 | 52% |
| 2024 | 28 | 36% |
| 2023 | 69 | 34% |
| 2022 | 199 | 32% |
| 2021 | 198 | 29% |
| 2020 | 164 | 26% |
| 2019 | 382 | 26% |
| 2018 | 159 | 24% |
| 2017 | 110 | 12% |
| 2016 | 193 | 12% |
| 2015 | 159 | 11% |
| 2014 | 246 | 14% |
| 2013 | 227 | 18% |
| 2009 | 6 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ram 1500
140 complaintsEngine
110 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsSteering
90 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsBrakes
48 complaintsEngine cooling
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ram 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology