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
2018 Ram 1500 Complaints
635 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ram 1500, grouped by component category.
635 Total complaints
25 Crash reports
8 Fire reports
14 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
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.
Severity flags
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 clue
Mileage is available on 206 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 47,061 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to electrical system, steering, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Ram 1500?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Ram 1500
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Ram 1500 complaints?
25 Crash
8 Fire
14 Injury
0 Fatality
40 Towed
12 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Ram 1500 complaint categories?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 66
STEERING 54
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 53
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 52
ENGINE 48
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 33
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25
POWER TRAIN 22
SERVICE BRAKES 18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16
635 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | ENGINE | my vehicle started knocking loudly, the all of a sudden I lost power on a 4 lane highway causeing other vehicles to swerve around me. this could have been a accident if the road conditions were icy such as they are in Alberta. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership, the connecting Rods were in the bottom of the oil pan. since this incident I have learned of 2 other Eco diesels that had the same thing happen to them. These people are my friends and close aqauintences. So there must be more if I know 3 Eco diesels personally on my town. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ENGINE | Engine started knocking at 65mph. Slowed to find a safe place to pull out of traffic lane. Before pulling over engine stopped but was able to get completely off the road. My safety was not directly at risk but had to wait at the side of the road for 4 hours waiting for tow. The dealer stated they have no idea what failed. The engine has not been inspected. The dealer told me I would have to pay to have it torn apart to find out what failed. There were no warnings except the engine knock. Oil pressure was normal, was not overheating and no check engine light. My safety could have been at risk had I been trying to pull out into traffic. Dealer has been doing all of the scheduled oil changes and inspections. I thought this may have something to do with recall 66A/NHTSA 23V-411. Dealer stated that could not be the reason as that recall fix is a software update? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The HVAC controls are part of the radio unit. The radio unit locks up, requiring the battery to be pulled to reset most of the time. When you dont have the radio working you cannot control the HVAC controls including Defrost which can cause a dangerous driving situation or not be able to drive due to fogged up windows. Also many of the vehicle functions such as the auto dim mirror are inoperative when the radio locks up or doesnt not work (black screen) causing a dangerous night situation. lastly, the reversing camera will not work with a non functioning radio display causing a hazard with a full size pickup backing up to others. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ENGINE | I was driving this [XXX] ecodiesel truck and it threw a rod on a sketchy windy road on a mountain pass. I was told 65 mile tow one way, 90 the other; I chose the former (Liberty Mutual said they’d reimburse $20 of my over $250 tow) thanks again! Not.)). Brought it to Ram in Show Low Arizona, Eric McGraw the service manager was terrific and communicated with me as much as he could. Unfortunately, they said the engine was out of power train warranty (I was at 99,840 miles at time of engine failure), “by time not miles.” I had to call FCA directly and get a [XXX] case manager, Josh who was also stellar in my opinion. 9 weeks; 9 weeks without my truck. That’s 7 total payments for it to what? Sit unfixed while FCA struggled with their top leadership? I bought this [XXX] ecodiesel engine because it was a diesel and diesels are notorious for having higher mileage capability; AND THEN to have everyone at Ram to FCA point fingers, shrug shoulders, and keep me waiting at my own expense; was simply intolerable to me. Luckily, FCA told me Ram would cover %65 of the repair (which is generous, but a slap in the face when I bought a supposed long life diesel from one of the top diesel companies in this country, and then to not cover the whole thing? BEFORE 100k miles?! So I paid $7000 out of pocket for this new engine. There was a lawsuit earlier which details how FCA settled in court over this same model “only 2014-2016 models” supposedly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2018 Dodge Ram Rebel won't take gas. Keeps shutting off at pump without filling (30 gal tank) took to dealer was told vapor/gas sensor issue - need to replace gas tank $3500 repair! Vehicle has 88000 miles no accidents. I am the original owner of this vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in rainy weather, the brake pedal was firmly depressed to stop at a traffic light, but the rear brakes seized, causing the vehicle to hydroplane into the middle of an intersection. The contact made a U-turn and continued driving. The ABS, traction control, and brake system warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 113,000 |
| Dec 2024 | ENGINE | I have a 2018 Ram, with the 5.7 hemi. I purchased it new in November 2017. I currently have just over 53,000 miles and began to hear a ticking sound on startup that lessened upon driving but never completely gone and could smell exhaust fumes in the passenger compartment. I took this to an independent service center and they reported that two or the rear bolts have broken off that secure the exhaust manifold and the gasket has been damaged. The mechanic states that this is quite common but not a recalled area from the manufacturer. The repair will cost close to $1,000.00 to repair. I do not understand that if this is a common and well known and documented problem and can be a huge safety risk due to the leaking of carbon monoxide into the passenger compartment, why hasn't this t been listed as a safety recall. I now understand that RAM is also discontinuing the production of the 5.7 hemi engine, are these type problems related? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The backup camera randomly loses the image when backing up. It has happened many times, unpredictable, beginning in October. Then had a period of it happening quite often, now it's only been twice in the last couple of weeks. I have a couple of photos of the screen, but this app won't let me paste them in. I request my VIN be added to the recall for this issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where an unknown recall for the fuel pump was performed. The contact stated that while driving out of the dealer parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered over to the side of the road and was not able to be restarted. The keys were turned over to the dealer and it was determined that the part was defective. The contact had been waiting on the manufacturer to provide additional steps for four days. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 147,000 |
| Nov 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | When fueling my vehicle, whether my tank is empty or half full, the pump clicks off as it would if my tank was full. It can take 1/2 hour to get $10.00 worth of gas in my 33 gallon tank. The pump either stops or the gas bubbles up and spills all over my truck, on me and on the ground. If this were to happen and there was a lit cigarette on the ground or an open flame, a serious life threatening incident could occur. I spoke with someone in the parts department at Bedard Brothers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and he informed me that it’s on “The Bulletin” of potential problems with this vehicle but there’s no recall for it and there should be. I bought my truck in April 2024 and was not informed of this issue and now, as I live in New England where the winters are harsh, I find myself standing in the freezing cold trying to fuel my truck and my family is in the vehicle freezing because it it unsafe and illegal to let it run while I'm fueling it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Cannot put fuel in tank… when trying to fill at gas station, the pump keeps kicking off and gas spills out the filler neck. This is a common and known issue with RAM trucks and the tanks should have been recalled. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Power steering intermittently stops working while driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The high-pressure fuel pump was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 113,000 |
| Oct 2024 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Chrysler's 3.0L diesel engine have a high-pressure fuel pump with an open recall on them. A HPFP failure may introduce internally failed component debris into the fuel system and cause potential fuel starvation. In January of 2023, I attempted to remedy the situation with a RAM dealership in Aptos, California. The attached email chain shows that for 6 months, I was unable to receive parts for my 3.0L diesel engine. After a change in job opportunities, I ended up in Palmdale late November 2023, where I continued to pursue remediation at the RAM of the West Dealership in Lancaster. While I do not have a email thread on this, if you visit their store on 43226 10th St W, Lancaster, CA 93534, you find that they have an open ticket for this same recall that has been open since February 2024. I have had an open recall for 2 years now, which has prevented me from receiving a new registration sticker. My current RAM 1500, still has a sticker from 2022 despite me paying for all of my registration requirements. This has led to 3 tickets and a threat from law enforcement that they can take my truck. This has gone on long enough and I am demanded a solution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | On [XXX], at [XXX], my 2018 Dodge Ram Eco diesel engaged in fire. At this time, I called 911 and the Fire Department from which I obtained the fire report from respond and extinguish the fire. No police were ever dispatched. After exiting the vehicle, it seems like the vehicle was already on fire due to the progression of the fire already. I recently got the truck back from a local Dodge Dealership Cannon in Westpoint MS due to a high-pressure fuel pump recall. The truck also had another recall for failure of the EGR cooler. Which will result in possible fire according to their recall. Dodge motor company sent out an inspector who took numerous pictures and later determined by Dodge they were not at any negligence due to manufacturing of the vehicle, but unfortunately, I strongly disagree with their conclusion due to the numerous of incidents involving fire reported with the same particular make and model of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | EQUIPMENT | The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the infotainment system screen was delaminating, causing the touch screen function to engage different systems independently. The contact was concerned for his safety. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the infotainment system was rebooted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was charged a fee for the infotainment system replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 48,000 |
| Oct 2024 | STEERING | While driving the power steering stopped working causing the vehicle to become very difficult to steer. Fortunately this happened while traveling in a straight line and I was able to maintain control of the vehicle, but if it had happened in a curve, or leading into a corner, it would have been difficult to maintain lane control. After letting the vehicle sit for 8 hours, I was able to start the vehicle and drive it a short distance before the fault reoccurred. The vehicle sat for two days and after a few minutes of driving the power steering went out again. All fuses on the power connections test as properly functioning. There is a recall covering RAM 1500 trucks from 2013 - 2019 for this exact problem definition, but multiple RAM dealerships that I have contacted state my vehicle does not fall under the recall (per VIN). The NHTSA needs to investigate this complaint and hold RAM accountable to fix the known issue on all RAM trucks. It is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. Loss of power steering can lead to a serious accident. My wife or daughter would not have been able to turn the vehicle had this occurred while they were operating a vehicle in a turn. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The radio/HVAC screen is malfunctioning. It still works but the screen is delaminating and the screen thinks that someone is touching the screen and there is no control over what it touches or controls. Radio is working but the channels change so fast by themselves that you cannot listen to anything. Cannot change any vehicle settings - such as lighting. Same with the HVAC system. When i click into the climate controls, the screen controls itseld doing whatever it wants. I have no control over the climate. THIS IS THE SAFETY ISSUE. If i am driving my vehicle and my windshield starts to fog up, my defroster is not accessible. I can hit the physical defrost button but there is no saying if the screen will not click the defroster off by itself. This puts myself and all motorists around me at risk if I cannot control a fogged windshield. I get distracted while driving trying to force the climae control to stay on my selected setting when it is to no success. I brought this into MIG Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram in Bellefontaine Ohio and they confirmed the problem and quoted me saying, "vehicle needs a replacement radio". I will upload a copy of this quote. We have police in the family that has seen the issue and they are also concerned of the safety hazard this presents. I would be happy to obtain a letter from the local PD and my insurance about this matter. No warning lamps or messages. I noticed a while ago that my screen looked like it was bubbling or delaminating but it never caused issue until one day the screen started clicking around like crazy on its own and has done it ever since. I started to look up forums for this issue and this sounds to be an extremely common issue in 2018 Ram's. My good buddy also has an 18 Ram and has the same issue, although, not as severe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | STEERING | Electric power steering rack and pinion failed during Hurricane Helene leaving my wife, [XXX] , my mother-in-law, and myself stranded on the side of the road. Thankfully it failed while we were stopped waiting to cross a flooded bridge rather than while driving down the road. Truck was towed after sitting for 2 weeks. Rack and pinion was disassembled and inner belt that connects the electric motor to the steering gear was found to be destroyed. Research shows that electric power steering issues are not uncommon on Ram 1500 trucks manufactured since 2013. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The engine ticking constantly as well as an electrical issue with the radio, heating, ac unit, control panel in dash that has all of this in it constantly changes goes haywire, won't let you do anything to fix it. It flips from setting to setting as well as different screens and the cargo lights have a habit of staying on an draining the battery. The engine tick has been like that for i dont know how long but it seems all the ram 1500s have that same tick, the control panel started acting crazy about 2 months ago, the battery being drained this is the 2nd battery I bought in 2 yrs due to this issue. Not sure about the cargo light when that started. It's pretty crappy we use out hard earned money to purchase what we believe to be a great vehicle only to find its made so bad to have all these issues and no recalls on them. I'm sure I speak for all ram 1500 owners ram should take better care of their customers and the issues in which their products malfunction and fix the issue instead of leaving us high an dry, broke down along the road due to poor production. I'd like to see these issues fixed but not on my experience since the issue comes straight from the manufacturer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | POWER TRAIN | I took my truck in because i have a tone wheel that needs to be replaced. my truck is getting recall 66a where the remedy is just a flash of the ecu. my tone wheel needs to be replaced and is covered under recall 73a. ram is not going to cover replacing this known issue because according to them my vin is only getting the code 66a, a known issue for this year truck and motor. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We have noticed for more than a year that the main touch screen of our 2018 Ram 1500 has screen delamination, and, with it, ghosting; i.e., it appears a ghost is touching buttons, as even though we are not touching buttons on the screen, buttons are being pushed all over the screen. We are happy to make the vehicle available for inspection or provide videos upon request. If we have Bluetooth on, and our phone contact list is up, multiple people are called (we have to make sure we do not have Bluetooth enabled when we are in the vehicle). Sometimes, when we are driving, the rearview camera will turn on. We no longer listen to the radio, as it is impossible to keep the same station -- the ghosting jumps from station to station. In addition to being extremely distracting, it recently became a safety issue. We live in Wisconsin, and in July 2024, we were driving on the interstate during a pop-up thunderstorm. We had the defrost on because the windshield was fogging up, and suddenly, the touchscreen went crazy. It turned the defrost off, flipped to the radio screen, and then switched to the rear camera, all while the windshield quickly fogged up. It was at this moment that we realized this was now a safety issue, as we were in heavy traffic on the highway during a thunderstorm, and we couldn't see anything. Our dealer is aware of the issue, as multiple other Ram trucks have experienced similar issues. A simple Google search of "Ram screen ghosting" leads to hundreds, if not thousands, of posts about the same issue. The issue first appeared about 18 months ago, in February 2023, when the truck had approximately 45000 miles on it. It now has about 60000 miles on it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | My 2018 Ram rear turn signals intermittently work. They can be working and the in the middle of a turn stop working. They may not work at all on any given day. They may work all day. Has been looked at. Not short in wiring, has good solid connection, just intermittent working | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Due to screen delamination - While operating the vehicle, the central monitor cycles repeatedly through different functions, and actions, including but not limited to: calling multiple people using phone connected to vehicle by Bluetooth, changing the directions/stopping navigation, showing the back up camera, changing radio stations, change environmental controls. This is a significant safety issue as it is very distracting to the driver of the vehicle. Solutions like turning off the screen are not effective due to screen delamination - it prevents the screen from fully turning off as the trips the touch screen function restarting the screen. When the issue was raised with the delearship and noted as a significant safety issue - the dealership advised that it was not a safety issue and identified it as "the radio needing to be replaced". This is a known and documented issue with this year, make and model of vehicle. This is an ongoing issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | STEERING | Electronic rack and pinion failed with 128,922 miles. From what I have read online that is too low of mileage for electrical rack failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |