Skip to content
Ram 3500Model year report

2018 Ram 3500 Problems

Compared with other Ram 3500 years

More complaints than typical for this model

66/100 1.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2021

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
807filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
43,000miles, 190 complaints with mileage
Recalls
10campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Ram 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500 center overwhelmingly on the anti-lock brake and stability-control system: warning lights and chimes appear, and in some cases braking assist or cruise control stops working. Many of these complaints were filed after owners learned of a recall involving the hydraulic control unit, and a recurring theme is that the replacement part was unavailable for a long period. A smaller group of complaints covers steering shake and drag-link concerns, plus electrical and infotainment faults.

  1. Brakes

    ABS and traction-control warning lights, braking assist loss

    • 605 complaints (75%)
    • median 55,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (138 state mileage)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,080 (median of 41 quotes)
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners describe the ABS, traction-control and "Service Electronic Braking System" messages appearing, often with a repeated chime, at start-up or while driving at various speeds. Many report that cruise control stops working at the same time, and some say the brake pedal went soft or to the floor and needed extra force to slow the truck, including while towing. Dealers commonly diagnosed the hydraulic control unit (HCU) or ABS module and quoted a replacement; a large share of owners said the part was on back order or unavailable, and several noted the repair was tied to a recall campaign. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to over 150,000, with many between roughly 25,000 and 80,000 miles.

    Recall 24V8960001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask the dealer whether recall 24V896000 has been performed on the specific truck and get it in writing; also test the ABS and traction-control lamps at start-up and confirm cruise control engages. A pre-purchase scan for stored ABS/HCU codes is worthwhile.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the messages Service Brakes and Service ABS were displayed and an alarm sounded. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the failure recurred and the front passenger's side wheel locked up, causing the vehicle to accelerate unintendedly. The contact was able to decelerate and continued driving. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11609049, filed 2024-08, 68,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and EBS warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that while the failure occurred, the cruise control feature was inoperable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #11570948, filed 2024-02, 151,000 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Cruise control drops out with brake warnings

    • 194 complaints (24%)
    • median 53,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (39 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 17 quotes)
    • filed 2020–2026

    Owners link cruise control failure to the same brake-system warnings: when the ABS or stability-control light comes on, cruise control either will not engage or disengages on its own. Some describe the truck slowing unexpectedly on its own after hitting a bump with cruise set, then recovering when the accelerator is pressed. Dealers generally traced this to the ABS module or HCU rather than a separate cruise-control fault. Appears alongside brake warnings, typically from about 15,000 to 100,000 miles, and sometimes while towing.

    Recall 24V896000

    What to check: On a test drive, set cruise control at highway speed and note whether it holds; ask whether any brake-system warning codes are stored, since cruise drop-out usually follows the ABS fault.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic braking system warning light illuminated and chimed, causing the cruise control to become inoperable. 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 15,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

    NHTSA complaint #11556195, filed 2023-11, 15,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake, cruise control, and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the cruise control and ABS failed to function as intended. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the contact stated that a beeping sound was persistent. The contact was annoyed by the persistent beeping while driving. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11703216, filed 2025-12, 40,000 miles
  3. Steering

    Steering shake and drag-link / alignment concerns

    • 30 complaints (4%)
    • median 14,918 mi at 2.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners describe the front end shaking or bouncing at highway speed, sometimes severe enough that they had to slow down or pull over to regain control. Some complaints mention a loosened or welded drag-link adjustment and difficulty getting the front suspension aligned afterward. Dealers variously replaced tires, performed alignments or adjusted the drag link, and some repairs were tied to a steering-linkage recall. Mostly reported at low to moderate mileage, from a few thousand miles up to about 100,000, often at 50-70 mph.

    Recall 19V021000Recall 21V398000

    What to check: Drive the truck at highway speed and watch for steering-wheel shake or wander, and ask whether the drag-link jam-nut recall (19V021000) was completed. Also confirm lug-nut torque was set per the corrected manual guidance.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 55-70 MPH, he lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then continued driving by the side of the road at 35 MPH and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11495702, filed 2022-12, 4,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started bouncing and he lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated as he released the accelerator pedal, he was able to regain control of the steering wheel. The steering warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle, but he could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated as he attempted to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel started vibrating uncontrollably. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11436816, filed 2021-10, 100,100 miles

Buying note. The brake hydraulic control unit and ABS warnings are the dominant theme for this model year, so confirm recall 24V896000 status in writing and budget for possible ABS module or HCU work. Also verify the steering drag-link recall and check the touchscreen and backup camera during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.

NHTSA recorded 807 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500. 190 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,000 miles. Of all complaints, 16 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 444 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 9 Ram 3500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 66 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (10), Fuel system (7), Air bags (5), Electronic stability control (4), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (3), Engine cooling (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Seats (2), Body and structure (2), Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “Integrated brake system for towing trailers (itbs) does not work. Safety hazard as the truck can not stop the 150000 pound 29t arctic fox 5th wheel. After 4 attempts dodge gave up and said the itbs works as designed. The 5th wheel was certified that the brakes work with other tow vehicles. Not with our Ram 3500 which is rated to tow 22000 pounds which is a safety hazard. We are unable to stop the trailer in an emergency or uner normal driving conditions using the itbs.”

NHTSA complaint #11196949, filed 2019-04, 1,000 miles

Electrical system: “When trying to accelerate, when I hit the throttle pedal there's a delay of at least 5-10 sec before truck responds and starts accelerating. Very dangerous when switching lanes on highway. I've read online that there is a lot of others that have this same issue with vehicle like mine.”

NHTSA complaint #11220782, filed 2019-06, 1,800 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Cruise control intermittent function...may not turn on, may not turn off, may not disconnect or cancel at speed, may not cancel at speed with brake pedal. Bought the truck in march, 2020. No problems until june 12, 2020, when it failed to work consistently. Dealer wants $150 to diagnose, even though it was reported to FCA in may of 2018. …”

NHTSA complaint #11330566, filed 2020-06, 53,000 miles

Forward collision avoidance: “Abs and electronic control system lights intermittently come on and off constantly and have been for 25,000 miles. When it started happening Chrysler knew what the problem was hcu and abs module is malfunctioning but unfortunately no parts were available and couldn’t tell me when they would be available. I’m just now putting in the complaint due to just learning about this site.”

NHTSA complaint #11609229, filed 2024-08

Mileage when problems were reported

54% of the 190 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 80,000 miles.

15%0–1015%10–2524%25–5018%50–759%75–1009%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (190 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 43,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

201820192020202120222023264202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 10 recalls for the 2018 Ram 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 444 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 444 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ram 3500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026281,0004——Too new to compareToo new
2025437505——Too new to compareToo new
2024459,5002——Too new to compareToo new
20231714,0005———Too new
202219027,50012——78 · MoreRising
20216260,0009——15 · FewerRising
202011626,35011——62 · TypicalFalling
201913735,58214——40 · TypicalFalling
201880743,00010——66 · MoreRising
201731532,00012——54 · TypicalRising
201613422,69014——47 · TypicalRising
201513728,00014——37 · TypicalFalling
201420234,00015——53 · TypicalFalling
201311538,82516——24 · FewerFalling
2007678,1281———Not enough data

All Ram 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ram 3500?

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500 center overwhelmingly on the anti-lock brake and stability-control system: warning lights and chimes appear, and in some cases braking assist or cruise control stops working. The issues reported most often: ABS and traction-control warning lights, braking assist loss; Cruise control drops out with brake warnings; Steering shake and drag-link / alignment concerns.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Ram 3500 have?

NHTSA recorded 807 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Ram 3500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 667 complaints (83% of the total), followed by electrical system with 137.

Has the 2018 Ram 3500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Ram 3500 reported?

Among the 190 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 80,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.