2018 Ram 3500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 799 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 11 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

186 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 42,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes473
400
Service Brakes, Hydraulic123
400
Electrical System35
010
Steering25
102
Wheels18
200
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Abs Warning Light16
000
Vehicle Speed Control15
000
Unknown or Other14
100
Engine10
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light9
000

11 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator25V592000
Filed Sep 11, 20251,761 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us, Llc)

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator25V010000
Filed Jan 16, 20256,066 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us, Llc)

Defect. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module24V896000
Filed Nov 27, 2024317,630 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us, Llc)

Defect. 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.

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs21V398000
Filed May 27, 2021447,985 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us, Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

Risk. Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch19V347000
Filed May 9, 20191,103,209 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

Risk. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.

Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection19V021000
Filed Jan 25, 2019795,575 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.

Risk. A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.

Steering › Linkages18E096000
Filed Oct 16, 2018847 vehiclesStreetcar Orv Llc

Defect. Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle.

Risk. The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera18V398000
Filed Jun 14, 20181,837 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk. A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.

Electrical System › Software18V332000
Filed May 17, 20184,815,661 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission18V100000
Filed Feb 8, 2018180,462 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. 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.

Showing 10 of 11 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 16, 2026NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2026CA

IN 2022 the HCU for the anti-lock brake system fails. On 06/06/2022 The HCU unit was replaced at a RAM deanship. By 2024 the system had failed again. Still there is no resolution solution offered by RAM. It is now 09/14/ 2026. The warning has been going on and off since 2024. Now, the warning light is on almost constantly. Our safety is at risk because while this is happening, the ABS system as well as the traction control system are not functioning. Yes, the RAM dealership in Petaluma CA. has verified that this problem exists.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 26, 202675,000 milesKY

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS and the HCU were inoperable while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that it was difficult to pull his trailer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because parts were on backorder. The dealer informed the contact that the repair could be paid for out-of-pocket and that reimbursement. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 25, 202626,000 milesMN

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and hauling a trailer, the “Service ABS” message was displayed with an audible chime. The contact stated that the brake was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, and became difficult to slow down. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal. The contact stated that while the cruise control was engaged, the feature was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 24, 2026150,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on various occasions while accelerating from a stop or while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle refused to shift gear and the vehicle lost automotive power, with the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The message "Service Electronic Braking System" was displayed. The contact stated that after the failure occurred, the vehicle was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); as a possible cause for failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 20, 202627,312 milesVT

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with brake hydraulic control unit failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer performed a temporary fix and replaced the part with the same part that was failing. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,312.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 20, 202670,000 milesIN

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated with a continuous audible chime while driving. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, but the vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were not available, and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 2026GA

My ABS alarms constantly as I drive. This issue started in September 2024. I cannot use my truck as desired because of constant alarming making traveling, as the truck was purchased for, impossible to enjoy for us. I have contacted my dealership approximately twenty times about repairing. I have been given multiple answers but have received no help. I have contacted customer care, customer service departments at Stellantis/Mopar five times and basically have been given the same answer, we are working on a repair. Please get Stellantis/Mopar/Ram to help customers. Manufacturer Recall Number-C4B NHTSA Recall Number-24V-896 Recall Status Recall: Incomplete, remedy not yet available

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 18, 202670,000 milesOR

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at undisclosed speeds, the ABS message was displayed with an audible alarm. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2026WI

Received Important Safety Recall notice, Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) ABS, C4B/NHTSA 24V-896 more than 2 years ago. To date, nothing has been done and I'm scared to drive it for safety reasons. There is a very annoying alarm dinging most of the time. I have phoned several times asking when the recall can be performed. Every time the answer is parts are not available yet. For our safety, we would like the parts available and the recall performed very soon.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 11, 2026223,308 milesTX

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, electronic stability control, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over into a parking lot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure mileage was approximately 223,308.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 11, 2026TX

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated with an audible chime. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 11, 2026AK

Open recall for 2 years, no parts available.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2026MT

I still haven’t heard anything about how to get help on this. I have a truck with recall I haven’t been able to drive and it basically sits in my garage since 2023. I’m trying to get help, this is an unresolved complaint the manufacturer isn’t helping me. OID 11688292 previously filed.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2026CA

The recall for the brake hydraulic contol unit (C4B/NHTSA 24V-896) has not been addressed in years.....I have no brakes on my trailer from this failure. This needs fixed asap.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2026GA

HCU unit is in constant fault and it has been occurring for over a year and a half. How long is Ram allowed to drag out developing a repair and replacement? 24V-896 recall

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Aug 3, 2026699,573 milesTX

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ram 3500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 78,546 and at the time of a Carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 699,573.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2026TX

NHTSA Recall #: 24V-896 Dogde Recall #: C4B Dodge Part #: 68143491AB HCU My complaint is because the I have tried to get this recall done a two separate dealers and it can't be done. Both service departments have told me the same things, the part # that is supposed to be the recall item has been taken out of inventory and the dealer can't get the part. This I believe happened in 2024. There is no current inventory part number to handle the HCU recall putting my vehicle in limbo. The dealer said this isn't the first experience with the problem. My truck has 15k original miles and I have ABS and Brake warnings flashing at me and 2 dealerships have confirmed that there is no current replacement part to order to do the recall. Dealerships: [XXX] in [XXX] and [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 23, 2026NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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.

Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2026MT

My 2018 Ram 3500 had safety recall V06 (19V-021) performed, which involved welding the drag link. This recall remedy has caused a secondary safety defect: my vehicle is now severely out of alignment, causing rapid, uneven tire wear on the outside edges and compromising steering handling. I contacted FCA Customer Care (Case #97534845). They acknowledged TSB 19-001-19 exists for aligning welded trucks, yet my dealer refuses/is unable to align it. FCA representative 'May' then instructed me to 'pay out of pocket' to replace the steering components. FCA is refusing to honor the replacement clause outlined in their own STAR case 9100268. The manufacturer's recall remedy has ruined my steering geometry, and FCA is refusing to fix the safety hazard they created

20 of 799 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202626400Routine
202542500Routine
202443210Routine
202317500Routine
20221891250Routine
202162940Routine
20201161170Routine
20191341450Routine
2018 — this page7991121Fatalities reported
20173101310Above average
20161341650Routine
20151361650Routine
20142021770Above average
20131141871Fatalities reported
20093200Do not drive
20084100Routine
20076100Routine

Compare every 3500 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 11, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.