2018 Ram 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe ABS, traction control and electronic braking warning lights that come on, flash or stay lit, and many say the hydraulic control unit repair was delayed by parts shortages. Cruise control dropping out is commonly reported alongside those lights, and a smaller group describes steering drift and an off-center wheel linked to a steering linkage recall. Brake-related reports are spread across a wide mileage range but cluster between about 40,000 and 110,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS and traction control warning lights (HCU failure)

   • 1,666 complaints (64%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (397 state mileage)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 98 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the ABS, traction control and electronic braking warning lights coming on, flashing or staying lit, often with chimes and messages about the braking system. Many were told the hydraulic control unit or ABS module had failed, and some say the replacement part was on back order or not available for their VIN. Some describe a brake pedal that went toward the floor, or sliding on wet pavement while the lights were on. Reports span from about 9,000 to over 200,000 miles, with most falling between about 40,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 24V896000

   What to check: Check the VIN against the hydraulic control unit recall and ask whether the recall repair has been completed. Watch the ABS and traction control lights at startup and during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2018 Ram 2500 with 24320 miles on it. The traction control light/ ABS/ebs service lights come on when driving. The speed control goes off. I have seen on the Ram forum that this is common on this and the 2017 years too. My question is if there are several 100 people with the same problem. Why have you not issued a recall. This will get someon killed if they are not careful.”

   NHTSA complaint #11414945, filed 2021-05, 24,300 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and differential lock warning lights intermittently illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11497056, filed 2022-12, 45,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control turns off or stops working

   • 625 complaints (24%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (124 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 45 quotes)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe cruise control disengaging on its own, refusing to set, or becoming inoperable, often at the same time the ABS or traction control lights come on. Some say the speed drops as the cruise cancels, and that they had to reactivate it by pressing the accelerator. Owners say this problem is tied to the same braking warnings, and that repairs were delayed while parts were unavailable. Reports range from about 9,000 to over 170,000 miles, with a median near 66,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the braking recall work for the VIN is complete, and test cruise control on a highway section to see whether it stays engaged.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11755190, filed 2026-08, 52,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated, and the cruise control, traction control, and 4-WD were disabled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11588858, filed 2024-05, 52,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering drift, off-center wheel or loose linkage

   Mentioned in 5 of 80 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the steering wheel sitting off-center, the truck drifting or veering to one side, and steering that feels loose enough to wobble over bumps. Several say an alignment could not be completed because of a welded or loosened steering linkage nut, and some report the symptoms returned after the recall repair. One owner says the nut welds were found to be fractured, and another was asked to pay a diagnostic fee before further work. Most reports are under about 45,000 miles, with one near 108,000 miles.

   Recall 19V021000

   What to check: Check the VIN against the steering linkage recall and ask whether the drag link repair was done. Have the alignment and steering linkage checked before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering wheel is not adjustable when performing alignment, due to recall fix under v06/NHTSA 19v-021. Steering wheel off center. Time wheel create uneven wear in tires and or over correcting in steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327277, filed 2020-06, 20 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose, causing the vehicle to wobble while driving over a minor bumpy road surface. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected, and the dealer determined that the welds of the nut to the adjuster sleeve were fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering); however, the failure persisted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11700601, filed 2025-11, 45,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, check the VIN against the hydraulic control unit and steering linkage recalls and ask whether the repairs were completed. A test drive should include the warning lights, cruise control operation and steering centering, since these are the areas owners describe most.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.