2018 Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Ram 1500 has a Complaint Index of 23 and ranks 11th of 14 model years, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of 15 recall campaigns. Top problem areas are Engine (27%) and Electrical System (25%), with engine issues showing a median failure mileage of 33,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 23/100
- #11 of 14 1500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 661
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
Top 2018 Ram 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine179 (27%)
- Electrical System165 (25%)
- Fuel System139 (21%)
- Other98 (15%)
- Steering86 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain59 (9%)
- Brakes50 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (5%)
- Structure & Body26 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras24 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly lose pressure or go to the floor with no warning, in some cases leading to a crash.
- Owners describe the truck rolling away on its own after being parked, including one case with a child inside.
- Some vehicles reportedly shifted into reverse unexpectedly and rolled away while the driver was outside the vehicle.
- Airbags allegedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including collisions with another vehicle, a deer, and a guard rail.
- Electrical or block-heater-related fires were reported both while parked and while driving.
- Steering reportedly locked up in at least one incident, preventing the driver from turning.
2018 Ram 1500 recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V592000Sep 11, 2025Airbags1,761 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 83C, 91C, and 92C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 18, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V010000Jan 16, 2025Airbags6,066 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
- NHTSA 23V411000Jun 8, 2023Engine80,629 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
2018 Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ram 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Ram 1500 a Complaint Index of 23, ranking it 11th out of 14 model years for this model. It carries a Caution verdict because of 15 recall campaigns, even though its complaint volume is moderate compared to other years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2018 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues lead at 27% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 25% and Fuel System at 21%. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 33,000.
- Does the 2018 Ram 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ram 1500, covering areas including airbags, the engine, fuel system, and structure/body components like the tailgate latch.
- How does the 2018 Ram 1500 compare to other model years?
- The 2018 model's Complaint Index of 23 is lower than 2013-2019 years like 2014 (92), 2015 (77), 2016 (85), and 2019 (100), all of which carry Avoid verdicts. Still, 2018 stays at Caution due to its recall count.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Ram 1500?
- EPA rates the 2018 Ram 1500 at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,300.