How many transmission and powertrain complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Ram 1500?

NHTSA lists 59 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, which is about 9% of the 661 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a transmission or drivetrain recall for the 2018 Ram 1500?

Yes. There are four related recalls: campaign 19V324000 for a rear driveshaft weld that may crack or fracture, 18V556000 for an underfilled rear differential, 18V280000 for an incorrect park lock rod, and 18V100000 for a shift-to-park software issue with column shifters.

At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 transmission problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure among reported Transmission & Powertrain complaints is 23,778.5 miles, though individual complaints in the sample range from very low mileage to 90,000 miles.

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to these transmission complaints?

NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 4 injuries associated with Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500.

How does the 2018 Ram 1500 compare to other model years for this problem area?

The 2018 model's 59 complaints and 9% share are lower than several other years, such as 2015 with 225 complaints (16% share) and 2019 with 205 complaints (14% share).

2018 Ram 1500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 59 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, about 9% of all complaints for that year, with 3 crashes and 4 injuries reported. Four related recalls cover the rear driveshaft weld, rear differential fill, park lock rod, and shift-to-park software.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 59; 9% of 661
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 4
Median mileage: 23,779 mi
Related recalls: 4

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Vehicles reportedly shift into reverse or park on their own while parked or moving, in one case rolling away and striking a house.
Owners describe sudden loss of brake and steering response paired with unexpected engine surging into traffic.
The rotary shift dial fails to engage reverse smoothly, requiring the driver to cycle through park and drive to get the truck to respond.
Owners report gear grinding, whining, and violent shaking from the rear end, in one case with visible sparks, while driving uphill.
Some complaints describe the transmission unexpectedly shifting into neutral at highway speed along with a strong exhaust odor inside the cabin.
A few owners mention delays of several seconds before the truck responds to the accelerator from a stop.

When 2018 Ram 1500 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 2, 2018, latest Sep 4, 2026.

59 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2018 to Sep 2026; peak Dec 2023 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Ram 1500

NHTSA 19V324000Apr 25, 2019Transmission & Powertrain10,160 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.
Risk: A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.
NHTSA 18V556000Aug 23, 2018Transmission & Powertrain4,171 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.
Risk: If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U88.
NHTSA 18V280000May 1, 2018Transmission & Powertrain71 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
NHTSA 18V100000Feb 8, 2018Transmission & Powertrain180,462 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201386 (7%)
2014191 (11%)
2015225 (16%)
2016202 (13%)
201798 (11%)
201859 (9%)
2019205 (14%)
202062 (10%)
202198 (14%)
2022101 (17%)
202328 (14%)
202414 (19%)
202547 (13%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Ram 1500?: NHTSA lists 59 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500, which is about 9% of the 661 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission or drivetrain recall for the 2018 Ram 1500?: Yes. There are four related recalls: campaign 19V324000 for a rear driveshaft weld that may crack or fracture, 18V556000 for an underfilled rear differential, 18V280000 for an incorrect park lock rod, and 18V100000 for a shift-to-park software issue with column shifters.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 transmission problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure among reported Transmission & Powertrain complaints is 23,778.5 miles, though individual complaints in the sample range from very low mileage to 90,000 miles.
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to these transmission complaints?: NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 4 injuries associated with Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500.
How does the 2018 Ram 1500 compare to other model years for this problem area?: The 2018 model's 59 complaints and 9% share are lower than several other years, such as 2015 with 225 complaints (16% share) and 2019 with 205 complaints (14% share).