2018 Ram 1500 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 179 engine complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, 27% of all 661 complaints for the model year. Median mileage at failure is 33,000 miles, and the engine is tied to three recalls, including EGR cooler cracking and crankshaft position sensor tone wheel delamination.
- Engine complaints
- 179
- 27% of 661
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 33,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners of EcoDiesel-equipped trucks report a significant hesitation or delay when accelerating from a stop, especially when the engine is cold.
- Some describe the truck lagging for several seconds after pressing the accelerator, creating a hazard when merging into traffic.
- After an emissions or engine control software update, several owners report the truck crawling at very low speed for an extended period before regaining normal acceleration.
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral while driving at highway speed, sometimes accompanied by a strong exhaust odor inside the cabin.
- One owner tied a lack of engine parts availability to NHTSA Campaign 19V757000 for the EGR cooler, with dealer repairs delayed by parts shortages.
- A vehicle fire was reported after an engine block heater was connected during cold weather, with the fire starting on the driver side of the truck.
When 2018 Ram 1500 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 4, 2018, latest Sep 17, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2018 Ram 1500
- 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.
- NHTSA 20V475000Aug 13, 2020Engine58,016 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 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: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
- NHTSA 19V757000Oct 24, 2019Engine107,980 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
Engine complaints by 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does the 2018 Ram 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists 179 engine complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, which is 27% of the 661 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Ram 1500 engine?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three engine-related recalls covering 2018 Ram 1500 trucks: campaign 19V757000 for a cracking EGR cooler on 3.0L EcoDiesel engines, campaign 20V475000 for a delaminating crankshaft position sensor tone wheel, and campaign 23V411000 for the same tone wheel issue with an updated powertrain control module fix.
- At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 engine problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints is 33,000 miles.
- Are the engine problems dangerous?
- NHTSA data for this complaint area on the 2018 Ram 1500 includes 2 crashes, 4 fires, and 6 injuries, so some engine-related failures have led to safety incidents.
- How does 2018 compare to other Ram 1500 model years for engine complaints?
- The 27% share of engine-related complaints for 2018 is lower than 2015 (31%), 2021 (44%), and 2022 (42%), but higher than 2019 (20%) and 2025 (24%).