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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Ram 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
60about this part
Share
9%of 667 total for the year
Median mileage
23,778miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ram 1500, 9% of the 667 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,778 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 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 noticed, shortly after purchasing truck from a used car dealer with 96000 miles on it,that the gas mileage was getting worse steadily( highway miles ).then one day, on the way home from work ,the passenger side rear tire was smoking. Took it over to my mechanic and found out my whole rear axle had to be replaced. This cost me almost 5000 dollars”

NHTSA complaint #11320203, filed 2020-04, 98,093 miles

“There is a recall on the driveshaft that can cause the incomplete weld to brake and cause crash v48 is the recall. When I went to the dealership on 6/27/19 was told that the part needs to be ordered. Today is one week later and still no part I have contacted chrysler directly and was told the parts are available so not sure why I'm still waiting on parts? It's dangerous to drive the vehicle according to the recall note.”

NHTSA complaint #11229717, filed 2019-07, 17,500 miles

“While driving on an interstate 5 in washington in cruise control at 76mph going up hill, the truck made a gear grinding noise. I turn off cruise and let the truck coast uphill, the truck was making a whining uphill. I gave the truck some gas towards the top of the and at that point the truck violently shook, I heard a loud thud and saw sparks flying from the rear end. I was going down hill by this point. I saw a large metal piece come flying off the rear of the truck. …”

NHTSA complaint #11161799, filed 2018-12, 29,550 miles

“We bought the vehicle brand new at bill luke in phoenix arizona, after getting the vehicle home we noticed the underneath of the vehicle is rusted and the paint is flaking off. We meet with the district manager of chrysler and she stated rust is normal on brand new vehicle, they took off a couple of parts, cleaned them up and painted, we asked about all the other parts, engine block, suspension parts, oil pan, outer wheel bearing covers and they let us know they are not going to do anything. …”

NHTSA complaint #11121286, filed 2018-08, 18 miles

“Driving home from work. Had used cruise control at 70mph on freeway, but had not used it in town. I was decelerating for a stop light, when it turned green. I was probably traveling 15-20mph when I began accelerating again. I heard a click, like a relay or solenoid and the vehicle began to accelerate as if I had hit resume . Last speed preset had been 70mph. I was able to cancel the acceleration by hitting the brakes, but I nearly rear ended the car in front of me. I did not hit resume by mistake either, as my hand was not on the steering wheel near the buttons. …”

NHTSA complaint #11268910, filed 2019-10, 23,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261010%
20254913%
20241519%
20232914%
202210617%
20219914%
20206310%
201920714%
2018609%
20179811%
201620213%
201522615%
201419211%
2013867%
2009924%

Other parts of the 2018 Ram 1500

Electrical system
159 complaintsFuel system
140 complaintsEngine
110 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsSteering
90 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 30, 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