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BrakesPart report

2018 Ram 5500 Brakes Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
67%of 39 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ram 5500, 67% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 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.

“Twice in the past year I have experienced a loss of the ABS braking system. Warning messages appear to service the ABS braking system as well as a general braking system malfunction. This loss of ABS is intermittent. I have taken it to the dealer to have it fixed both times, and they have replace the hydraulic control unit and ABS module. Mechanic told me this is a very common problem with these trucks. I was put at risk by not having a functioning ABS.”

NHTSA complaint #11554629, filed 2023-11

“Ref NHTSA 24v-896, Recall C4B The problem started back in 2021 when the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Control Unit failed. It was replaces and then it failed again in Dec 2024 while on vacation. When returning home in Jan 2025, the truck was brought to the dealer for repair. It was found to have failed again and told that a repair parts were not available, nor was it known when the redesigned part would be available. Shortly after that I received a letter stating that my truck was included and confirmed to be part of this recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11735629, filed 2026-05

“ABS module has been replaced twice on this truck. The latest was two weeks ago. However the problem of service ABS and service electronic braking messages still appear randomly, killing the cruise control and dinging. The dealership who took 2 months to get the ABS module this time stated that the Hydraulic Control Module was now bad and back ordered forever so I will have to live with it, apparently forever by the sound of it. So now I’m cruising around in a 15k lb bucket truck with no sign of getting it repaired in sight without buying another for 150k.”

NHTSA complaint #11503697, filed 2023-01

“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated while driving over speed bumps or uneven pavement. …”

NHTSA complaint #11690489, filed 2025-09, 91,741 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the hydraulic brake warning light, ABS warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the stopping distance increased. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall, but the failure recurred. The contact stated an alternate replacement part was used during the recall repair, causing premature failure. The dealer was notified. …”

NHTSA complaint #11772134, filed 2026-10, 100,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020338%
2019217%
20182667%
2017733%
201616%
201518%
201419%

Other parts of the 2018 Ram 5500

Wheels
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Ram 5500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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