YearToAvoid

2018 Ram 3500 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 125 engine-area complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500, 16% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles. No recalls are tied specifically to this engine complaint category in the data provided.

Engine complaints
125
16% of 802
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
40,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Cruise control fails to disconnect and can re-engage with increasing speed even after the cancel button is pressed.
  • Check engine light illuminates repeatedly and dealers report being unable to diagnose the cause after multiple visits.
  • Emissions-related sensors (NMHC catalyst, NOx, PM filter) can take over 1,000 miles to reset after routine maintenance, risking failed emissions tests.
  • Loss of engine power while driving, with jerking, stalling, and the check engine light coming on, in one case at 200,000 miles.
  • Engine brake stops functioning during prolonged towing on grades, without triggering an engine code.
  • Engine oil leaks reported, in one case at 33,600 miles.

When 2018 Ram 3500 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 4, 2019, latest Jul 7, 2026.

2018 Ram 3500 engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter202019 Q12020 Q12021 Q32023 Q12023 Q42024 Q32025 Q22026 Q1
125 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q4 (20).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Ram 3500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by 3500 model year

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

  1. 201341 (36%)
  2. 201445 (22%)
  3. 201533 (24%)
  4. 201629 (22%)
  5. 201761 (20%)
  6. 2018125 (16%)
  7. 201930 (22%)
  8. 202033 (28%)
  9. 202114 (23%)
  10. 202230 (16%)
  11. 20234 (24%)
  12. 20248 (18%)
  13. 20258 (19%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2018 Ram 3500?
NHTSA lists 125 engine-area complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500, which is 16% of the 802 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 3500 engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine-area complaints is 40,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Ram 3500 engine?
The data provided does not list any recalls tied to this engine complaint category, though some owner complaints reference separate campaign numbers 19V818000 and 20V036000.
What engine symptoms do 2018 Ram 3500 owners report most?
Owners report cruise control that won't disconnect, unresolved check engine lights, sensor reset delays affecting emissions testing, sudden power loss while driving, and engine brake failure while towing.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.