2018 Ram 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 13 2500 years
The 2018 Ram 2500 ranks worst among all 13 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 NHTSA complaints. Brakes account for 90% of complaints, and the truck has 9 recalls, making it an Avoid year relative to other Ram 2500 years.
- Complaints
- 2,590
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 38 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2018 Ram 2500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes2,331 (90%)
- Electrical System478 (18%)
- Engine380 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras232 (9%)
- Other106 (4%)
- Steering85 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain75 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires37 (1%)
- Airbags11 (0%)
- Fuel System10 (0%)
What owners report
- Owners report the diesel engine's DEF system derates the truck to 5 mph on the highway for up to 85 miles until a dealer resets the code, even for minor error codes.
- Some owners describe the ABS system locking up all four tires at low speed without any warning light, leading to a rear-end collision.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact collisions at highway speeds.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolled away on its own after being parked and idling, crashing into a tree despite the parking brake being applied.
- Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly losing functionality at low speed, causing the truck to veer off the road and collide with a fixed object.
- A transmission/powertrain-area fire was reported within a week of purchase while towing on the freeway, with smoke appearing before loss of power.
2018 Ram 2500 recalls
9 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 24V896000Nov 27, 2024Brakes317,630 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
2018 compared with other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ram 2500 reliable?
- Compared to other Ram 2500 model years, the 2018 is the worst, ranked 1st out of 13 years with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 NHTSA complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Ram 2500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 90% of complaints (2,331 complaints) with a median failure mileage of 59,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Ram 2500 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2018 Ram 2500, covering airbags, brakes, steering, electrical system, transmission/powertrain, structure/body, and collision avoidance/camera systems.
- Should I avoid the 2018 Ram 2500?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Ram 2500 is rated Avoid relative to other years of the Ram 2500, largely due to brake-related complaints and a high complaint index of 100.