2018 Ram 1500 Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 26 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, 4% of its 661 total complaints. Owners most often report water leaking under the back seat, paint and rust issues, and tailgate fractures, with a median failure mileage of 13,800 miles. One related recall (19V347000) covers tailgate latches.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 26
- 4% of 661
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 13,800 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Water leaks into the storage area under the back seat after rain or car washes, sometimes recurring after dealer repairs and leaving rust on seat bolts and hardware underneath.
- Tailgates have fractured or failed while towing, in one case letting a trailer strike the truck's rear end.
- Owners report paint flaking and rust appearing on brand-new trucks shortly after purchase, including on underbody parts.
- Windshields have developed star-shaped cracks that later spread across the glass without any reported impact.
- Some owners noted repeated dealer visits for the same body-related complaint, including a case involving multiple recall repairs and separate issues found each visit.
When 2018 Ram 1500 body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 2, 2018, latest Aug 20, 2026.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2018 Ram 1500
- NHTSA 19V347000May 9, 2019Structure & Body1,103,209 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
Risk: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
Structure & Body 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 Structure & Body complaints does the 2018 Ram 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists 26 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, which is about 4% of the 661 total complaints filed for that model year.
- What is the typical mileage when these problems show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2018 Ram 1500 is 13,800 miles.
- Is there a recall related to Structure & Body issues on the 2018 Ram 1500?
- Yes. Recall 19V347000 covers the tailgate latch on 2018 Ram 1500 trucks; dealers repair the latch free of charge, and it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- What kind of body problems do owners describe most?
- Owners most commonly describe water leaking under the back seat, tailgate fractures during towing, and premature paint or rust issues.
- Were there any crashes linked to these complaints?
- NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 1 injury tied to Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, with no reported fires.