Complaint volume
635 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
635 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ram 1500, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
635 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are electrical system, steering, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Enriched records include 25 crash reports, 8 fire reports, 14 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage is available on 206 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 47,061 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
635 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The 8inch screen is delaminating as a result the backup camera is not operating correctly. This is a safety issue. When the vehicle is turned on there are continuous phantom icons pressed. 911 has been called numerous times due to this problem. I do see this as being a widespread issue as the delaminating issue is common on 2018 models. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | AIR BAGS | I was hit on the drivers the pillar immediately hit my head shoulder arm and ribs hard and side curtain airbags never deployed and the other vehicle all theirs deployed | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | VEHICLE HAS 47000 MILES DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL, AND PRIMARY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. ABS NOT FUNCTIONING NOR IS TRACTION CONTROL. RESEARCH INDICATES THEY SHARE THE SAME CIRCUT. RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS NHTSA HAS OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO RAM 2500 & 3500 PICKUPS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS CLAIMS THAT DEALERSHIPS ARE REPLACING THE FAILED PARTS WITH IDENTICAL, UNIMPROOVED PARTS THAT ARE ALSO FAILING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO A MAJOR EXPENSE. VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. SYSTEM FAILED IN A CONGESTED TRAFFIC SITUATION THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN REAREND COLLISION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER OR ANYONE ELSE. WARNING LIGHTS THAT ARE ON MOST LIKELY CAME ON DURING THE FIRST "HARD STOP" AS RESULT OF BRAKING ACTIONS OF VEHICLES IN FRONT. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | when fueling the pump handle gets stuck in the tank and also cuts the pump handle off several times during the fueling process. This problem has not been checked out. The exhaust manifolds are tapping. This will not pass our state inspection. This was found after my state inspection by an independent service center. No warning lights, but can smell a bit of exhaust fumes when starting. The uconnect system is delaminating causing the system to malfunction. While driving the screen changes, changes radio stations, volume, makes phone calls including 911, turns heated seats and heated steering on, it adjusts the temperature from hot to cold, cold to hot and the degree setting. You can not shut the uconnect system off once it starts. Spoke to the Ram dealership and they said this is a common problem and very pricey to fix. Saftey issue being 1. dialing 911 while driving. 2. sudden volume adjustments causing distractions, | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | There is a common well known problem with the Ram trucks that have the Hemi Engine. The passenger side cast iron exhaust manifold will warp and break the steel bolts off the aluminum head. This creates a hazardous exhaust leak where fumes are entering the cab. Also in states that require a state safety inspection it will fail because of the leak. It is a manufacturer safety defect and should be repaired by the manufacturer and not have the customer foot the bill for a bad design. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STEERING | While driving the steering will lock up and not move at all at random times. I decided not to drive it anymore because I have a young daughter and was stuck at a left turning light for almost 20 minutes unable to move because my wheel wouldnt turn. Luckily it was at night and there was little traffic. I was told it is the rack and pinion that needs replaced. Its been a Recall for many RAM pickups from 2002-2020 but my vin # doesnt show any Recall but thats a Big coincidence to me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The system failed to go through regeneration. The contact stated that the EGR cooler and radiator were leaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the service electronic control message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the EGR cooler, and that the cooler was leaking. The contact stated that the exhaust was stuck and clogged. Additionally, the fuel filter was clogged. The turbo boost sensor also had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 115,000 |
| Mar 2023 | FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The problem is with the whole DEF System in the truck. for the last 6 months I can't go a week or less without getting some kind of code. Every time it effects the electronic throttle control and the truck goes into limp mode, I can be going 70 mph and it drops down to 30-40 mph no matter where I am at. I have almost been rear ended several times. I fix that code and a week later another code pops up and we do it all over again. I think I may have gone 2 weeks without a problem in the last 6 months. This time it is the DPF and DEF system, and here we go back into limp mode. I have had it to the dealer last week for issues which they couldn't figure out but thought that reprogramming would fix. So I leave to go out of state to work and here we go again less than 100 miles from home. Exhaust filter is full with no regen for over 400 miles. Now I'm stuck out of state with this problem. I think this really needs to be addressed because after all of my research this seems to be a normal problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | Tailgate on truck will randomly open, including while driving. This can cause debris in the bed to become unsecure and fall out of the back. I have had this happen several times in the past. Most recently it fell while I had my trailer on cause damage to the tailgate which will now need replacing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ENGINE | Exhaust manifold leak | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE | Ram 1500 interiors are damaged and destroyed when water intrudes into the cabs, a problem Fiat Chrysler allegedly knows about. The water leaks allegedly cause electronics to short-circuit which damages the rear airbags and propellant. And the water leaks cause mold and mildew which sickens occupants and makes the Ram 1500 trucks health hazards. In addition to the rear airbags, the Ram 1500 water leaks can allegedly cause problems with the "push-to-start ignition system, locks, windows, headlights, taillights, interior lights, windshield wipers, climate control, infotainment system and navigation, and back up camera." Ram 1500 drivers should allegedly expect failures of the headlights and tail lights, issues with starting the trucks, turn signal and brake light failures, faulty backup cameras and infotainment system problems. The Ram 1500 water leak lawsuit further claims drivers can lose the windshield wipers and the ability to lock or unlock the trucks. Fiat Chrysler has allegedly known about the Ram 1500 water leak problem since 2016 but actively concealed the alleged defects. TSBs - TSB S2023000024, TSB 23-016-21 titled, “Water Leaks At Sliding Backlite. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The touchscreen for the UConnect and all on board systems (ac/heat, audio controls, back up camera, clock, phone and device interface, etc.) is delaminating. This began at about 53,000 miles and has worsened (currently at about 56,000) to the point that it creates phantom button pushes. This presents a safety hazard as it can change radio and volume settings, cause repetitive, unpredictable menus to populate(clock settings), make unintended phone calls, and change other settings that present a distraction to the driver. Once the problem begins, it cannot be stopped without powering the vehicle off and the monitor cannot be powered off as the phantom commands rewake the screen. This is a well known, well documented problem that is due to a design and manufacture defect that is expensive to replace. Please issue a recall! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The active grill shutters and related wiring components are defective. The check engine light came on around 52000 and issued a code for U11E9- “replace active grill shutter.” I replaced it with a brand new part and the CEL remains on. Further investigation into similar instances in online forums suggest problems with the design of the wiring harness and pigtail that connects to the PCM. Many other consumers have reported this problem and were unable to resolve using the associated code, requiring further, expensive electrical repairs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2018 Ram 1500 8.5 inch U-Connect center screen that shows the back-up camera video is delaminating. This causes the back-up camera to become non-functional when the delamination progresses to the point of rendering the screen unusable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I received a bubble in my Uconnect infotainment system. After researching this appears to be a major problem. I was advised by my service dealership, Lithia Ram in Santa Rosa, that the bubble will spread across the screen and eventually uncontrollably turn the radio up and down as well as the heater and A/C. This is completely unsafe as it will distract the driver constantly and make matters unsafe to drive. This appears to be a major flaw with these infotainment systems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the U-Connect Command Center, touchscreen navigation, and settings were inoperable. The contact stated that the stereo face plate was delaminated. The contact stated that the screen experienced random phantom touches. The stereo was randomly tuning up loudly and failed to turn off. The vehicle was undrivable. The driver had to restart the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed and determined that the screen needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but informed the contact about disconnecting a fuse. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact with a case number, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 56,000 |
| Jan 2023 | FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 2018 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The touch screen goes on and off all by itself changing the stations on its own to changing the heat in the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | This vehicle experienced a Diesel EGR Cooler failure, for which there is an open recall by FCA under VB1/NHTSA 19V-757. Repairs were completed at the shop where it had been taken for diagnostics, and subsequently I submitted a reimbursement request to FCA following all guidelines and submitting all documents requested. However, FCA is refusing to honor the recall reimbursement request. They state their reasons below: 1) Vehicle is out of warranty. (Warranty status should have no bearing on a recall repair) 2) Parts replaced are not covered under the recall. (Parts replaced were specifically covered under recall VB1) 3) Repairs were not completed at a dealership. (The reimbursement process was created specifically for repairs completed at other repair centers) The above reasons stated by FCA are not valid, but FCA continues to deny reimbursement. FCA should honor their recall repair commitment and process. This incident leads me to believe FCA is actively engaged in falsely denying reimbursements to customers and their compliance with NHTSA recall oversight should be investigated. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | When the emergency brake is set or engage and the dis engage the brake warning light stay on. when a full stop is the it chime and stay solid red at the dash board. this a defective manufacturer issue. +/-80,000 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | AIR BAGS | I was traveling 48 miles per hour when another vehicle pulled in front of me. I was able to apply the brakes and collision was at 18 miles per hour. The police estimate other vehicle traveling 16 miles per hour. Air bags deployed in other vehicle not in my truck causing passenger to sustain head injury both myself and wife sustained injuries to upper torsos | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | California has a rubber boot on their gas pumps to capture gas emissions - this forces a full insertion of the nozzle or the gas pump into the Dodge ram fuel filler neck when pumping gas the gas nozzle became lodged into the filler neck - I was unable to remove the gas pump from the filler neck - had to use screw driver to remove which resulted in the plastic housing of the filler neck to break This is dangerous and now could allow gas overflow from the broken housing - | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |