2018 RAM 2500 electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I haven’t experienced an issue yet. A safety recall was finally issued to my 2018 Ram 2500 pickup truck in 2024. I had taken it to the local Ram dealership (Rairdon’s Ram, Bellingham, WA). On two separate occasions for my truck throwing the following warning light, “Check Electronic Braking System”. At the same time, traction control is deactivated, and cruiser control turns off, so if you have cruise control set, the warning light causes the cruise control to deactivate, and the truck immediately starts to slow down. This is a problem at highway speeds. The warning light also activates a chime that pings incessantly for several minutes and will continue to sound every 30 minutes while driving. Ram finally identified it as a safety issue, and issued a recall. However they stipulated there was no fix identified yet. It has been going on two years since being notified, and I have checked with my local dealership, and no fix has been identified still. My complaint is that Ram is dragging its feet with this recall repair.

NHTSA complaint #11758743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My vehicle has had an open recall for almost 2 years. The ABS light and alarm keeps going off and when I was pulling my camper, the camper was pushing the truck while trying to stop the truck.

NHTSA complaint #11758659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My family and I tow a 45 foot RV Toy Howler Fifth Wheel with the truck and the ABS and Traction control lights keep coming on. The RAM Dealer (Aventura) has been telling me for over a year that the parts are on back-order. I've tried to trade it in but the trade in offers have been very low since they know there's no repair parts. I'm very concerned about our safety since we take long trips into the mountains and this is constantly going on.

NHTSA complaint #11758292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This truck has been built with a brake hydraulic control unit ("HCU") that is susceptible to failure or malfunction which may result in a reduction or change of Anti-Lock Brake System ("ABS")/Electronic Stability Control ("ESC") /Traction Control performance. A failing HCU will initially result in the intermittent loss of ABS/Traction control progressing to permanent loss. Safety Risk The loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.

NHTSA complaint #11757642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I own a 2018 Ram 2500 4x4 diesel, VIN [XXX], affected by FCA/Stellantis Safety Recall C4B / NHTSA 24V-896 involving the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU). My truck is now experiencing the problem. The ABS warning light comes on and the cruise control becomes unavailable. The vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request. I am concerned about safety because this malfunction affects the ABS system and could affect braking performance, particularly during emergency braking or on wet or slippery roads. I contacted my Ram dealer the week of June 15, 2026. I was told this was a recall issue and that although the permanent remedy was not available, Chrysler was allowing dealers to replace the part with the existing-style part at Chrysler's expense. I was told a part would be ordered and I would be contacted, but I never heard back. I contacted the dealer again the week of July 13. They could not find the previous order but again told me they would order the part and that it would be covered. I received no follow-up. On July 27, I called again and was told Chrysler/Stellantis was no longer paying for this replacement and I would have to pay for the repair myself. NHTSA's VIN lookup currently shows the C4B recall on my truck as "Remedy Not Yet Available." To my knowledge, the truck has not been physically inspected by Stellantis or an independent shop for this complaint. My concern is that Stellantis acknowledges a safety defect in the ABS system, my truck is experiencing the malfunction, yet no permanent remedy is available and I am being told I must pay for an interim repair myself. I am asking NHTSA to review this situation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11755749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I received the ABS recall letter in 2024 and periodically since. I have contacted RAM after 2 years with no remedy and because I complained they have since blocked me. This is an unacceptable safety issue they should be addressing but are not. Please help. My truck only has a little over 100k miles on it. I deserve help with this EXPENSIVE purchase as I bought it new!

NHTSA complaint #11754826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electronic throttle control light and check engine light are on. I took it to a mechanic and had the accelerator pedal replaced. The lights remained on and the truck remains in "limp mode" and will not go over 59mph. The mechanic stated that this is due to the unresolved recall problems with the traction control and anti lock braking system, and the HCU needing replaced. These components and labor are over 2-3 thousand dollars! I have called NHTSA and the manufacturer with questions and asked for a timeframe for a fix and have received nothing.

NHTSA complaint #11753324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2018 dodge ram has an open recall since December 2024. There are no parts/no fix. My truck has been dinging and pinging with the break light/traction light/engine light/ABS light since 6 months after I got it. ALL of these things are related to the open recall. VIN [XXX]. Manufacturer Recall Number C4B, NHTSA Recall Number24V-896. "The loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning." On Sunday the 19th it stalled along with the warning lights. I took my truck to the dealer and paid $198 in Feb 2023 and they told me nothing was wrong with it. This issues would happen every so often now it's happening frequently almost daily. Customer care refuses to help. They told me to take my truck to a dealer to get it diagnosed and then send the paperwork to them and maybe they'd cover the rental until the part comes in. So now I am paying another $255 for Another diagnostics. It's sitting at Dodge in Glendora, CA right now for 2 days waiting for a call back. I was also told if it's approved, I have to pay for the rental out of pocket. For an eternity? I am not sure why I am jumping through hoops for a safety recall. It' the only car I have to commute and drive my kids in. Once again, a safety recall. This is really absurd. I begged for a manager or someone higher to call me and Ram care refused. Said they'd send my case to rentals. What if my breaks go out, what if I get in a car accident. It feels really unreasonable they won't take responsibility for this ongoing open recall that is a safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11752502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS failure. Dealers keep stating there are no replacement parts available. Also loss of cruise control. Ram is stalling for time. Time to force the issue. They can get the parts made!

NHTSA complaint #11750804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The brake hydraulic control unit (HCU) has malfunctioned as described in recall campaign 24V-896/C4B, resulting in the ABS and Traction Control warning lights remaining illuminated on the dashboard for an extended period. This indicates an ongoing loss of ABS/Traction Control system function, which increases the risk of a crash during hard braking or slippery conditions, per the manufacturer's own description of this defect. I have not taken it to a dealer for a repair attempt because the manufacturer's own service bulletin confirms no remedy/parts are currently available for this vehicle's configuration. No crash has occurred to date, but the vehicle is being driven with a known, unaddressed active safety defect with no manufacturer timeline for correction.

NHTSA complaint #11749991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle has experienced repeated failures of the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) electronic actuator. The actuator intermittently fails to move the turbo vanes to their commanded position, resulting in fault codes related to turbocharger performance and actuator position. The failed actuator is currently installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a significant safety concern because the engine can suddenly lose turbocharger performance and enter a reduced-power or "limp mode" condition without warning. During these events, the vehicle experiences a substantial loss of acceleration and power, making it difficult to safely merge onto highways, pass slower traffic, or maintain speed while towing or traveling on grades. This unexpected reduction in power increases the risk of a rear-end collision or other traffic incident, particularly when operating in normal highway traffic. The condition has been reproduced multiple times and confirmed through diagnostic trouble codes. The issue is consistent with a malfunctioning VGT electronic actuator. Numerous other owners of 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7L Cummins engine have reported similar failures involving the electronic actuator, suggesting this is not an isolated incident. Prior to complete failure, the vehicle displayed intermittent warning symptoms including a Check Engine Light, reduced exhaust brake performance, and occasional turbocharger-related diagnostic trouble codes. The symptoms became progressively more frequent before the actuator ultimately failed to operate reliably. In some cases, cycling the exhaust brake temporarily restored operation, but the problem continued to return and worsened over time. The vehicle has been diagnosed using standard diagnostic equipment, and the fault has been confirmed through the presence of turbocharger actuator-related diagnostic codes.

NHTSA complaint #11749516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2018 Ram 2500 has been experiencing a message about servicing the electronic braking system and it is causing issues with my entire truck. When the issue arises, my automatic running boards will constantly work up and down without the truck even being on, I am having a constant message popping up on my infotainment system with a constant dinging, causing my traction control light to be illuminated on my dash. My Ram app showed me that I have 4 services required on 7/5/2026 which include, Safety Recall C4B, Antilock Brake System, Brake Warning Light and airbags. This causes concern for not only my safety but my families safety as multiple people operate my vehicle along with my child. The last thing anyone wants is for someone to get hurt especially when it could be avoided however I feel that the incident is being avoided since it has taken over almost two (2) years since this recall was issued and nothing has been done to repair said recall. I am a Law Enforcement Officer in WV along with a Volunteer Firefighter. I see the outcomes of issues with negligence of persons driving vehicles and rarely do I see anything where it is not the driver's fault. I would not wish to have to investigate into the cause of a crash that took someone's life where a known issue was able to cause the accident and no sort of remedy has been found for almost two years after being known.

NHTSA complaint #11748909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a bell-sounding alert coming from the vehicle and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The messages Traction Control, ESC, and Cruise Control Offline were displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part to repair the vehicle was on back order. The dealer informed the contact if the vehicle was repaired out of pocket, there might be a possible reimbursement. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA complaint #11748016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS Recall since November 2024. NHTSA has done nothing! Ram needs to establish a Repurchase/Replacement program now!

NHTSA complaint #11747029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1.defective Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), NHTSA safety recall (Recall C4B / 24V896000) for 2017–2018 heavy-duty Ram trucks. 2.Failure to stop properly. 3.Yes I took to a certified dealer in Madera, Ca Gill auto group and they would not do anything about the issue. 4. No the certified dealer in Madera, Ca Gill auto group has not fixed the unsafe recall issue. 5. The warnings displayed are (service anti lock brake system and service electronic brake system) appeared 18 months I took the truck in for service to Gill auto group in Madera, Ca and no correction to the recall issue was performed

NHTSA complaint #11741250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is an open safety recall for the replacement of the HCU for my model year truck. I have been in direct contact with a few different dealerships near me to try to get this part replaced since it disables ABS on my truck and I am told they do not have parts for this recall. I received the recall November of 2024. It has now been 18+ months waiting to get the truck repaired. At this point it is not acceptable.

NHTSA complaint #11738533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

24V-896 Recall open since November 2024. No known resolution. How is this considered a reasonable amount of time? The truck chimes the entire time I drive it and it is a safety issue because it spins tires and has no abs or traction control.

NHTSA complaint #11738334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

For almost two years the ABS has been intermittently non functioning. Verified by an independent then David Taylor Dodge in Belleville Illinois in February 2025. There is apparently still no fix for it. This is unacceptable especially considering that it is a heavy duty diesel truck purchased solely for pulling very heavy trailers. Not being able to safely stop is dangerous and dealer says there is nothing they can do.

NHTSA complaint #11732811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like it was sliding, and the braking distance was extended. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the cruise control failed to function as intended. In addition, the remote start-up could start the vehicle, and the vehicle unexpectedly turned off. The ABS, traction control, and engine warning lights were illuminated while driving. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the repair was not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the heater grid had failed and advised the contact not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was not driven daily due to safety concerns. 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 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #11728603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET SUPPLIED NOR COME UP WITH A REMEDY TO REPAIR RE-CALL NTSBA 24V-896 / MANUFACTURER RE-CALL C4B. I PULL A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER WITH GRANDCHILDERN RIDING OIN THE VENHICLE WITH US WE DONT WANT A FAILURE. WE RELUNCTALLY DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 44000 MILES ON IT NOW HOWEVER WE NEED TO UTILIZE THIS VEHICLE FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11727831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recall has been out there for a year and a half with no remedy. Unsure if our vehicle is safe to drive. When we do drive, the alarms on the dash go off constantly.

NHTSA complaint #11720953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am submitting this complaint about Safety Recall C4B / NHTSA 24V‑896 for my 2018 Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). I am active‑duty military living in Virginia; the truck is registered in Tennessee. FCA’s recall notice says the brake hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, causing intermittent then permanent loss of ABS, ESC, and traction control, and that this “may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.” My truck shows as affected, but I have been unable to get the recall repair. The notice also states that the remedy is “not currently available” and that FCA will contact me when it is. As of February 2026, more than a year after the recall was initiated, I am still being told that parts are unavailable and there is no firm ETA for when the repair can be performed. In the meantime, I continue to drive with a known safety defect FCA has already acknowledged. My truck’s ABS and ESC lights cycle on and off while driving, consistent with the defect description. This creates real concern about whether ABS/ESC will function during emergency braking or low‑traction conditions, especially given that I use the truck for commuting and towing. I am also aware that FCA is reimbursing owners who have already paid out of pocket to replace failed HCUs, which suggests that replacing the HCU is the recognized fix, even as owners like me are told there is “no remedy available” under the recall. This appears to leave many vehicles on the road with a known safety defect and no timely, practical way to obtain the promised free repair. I respectfully request that NHTSA review FCA’s handling of Recall 24V‑896, evaluate whether FCA is providing a remedy within a reasonable time, and consider any enforcement or additional oversight needed to ensure parts are supplied and repairs completed promptly for all affected vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11719732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The warning lights have been on for months indicating the ABS is malfunctioning, we have had it to the dealership garage several times and they keep telling us we are on the list but the parts are not available even though it has been over a year. If they fail completely we will have no control over the braking system which can cause a vehicle crash. We have to limit the driving we do with our vehicle because of the danger that is involved. We have another issue for our vehicle: I contacted Chrysler twice with no response. and addressed it with our dealership and they have not helped. We have reported this issue to Chrysler about our 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins diesel concerning the Particulate Matter Sensor. This has been ongoing for a year and Chrysler is aware of this problem and has issued recalls on them from 2019 and up. We need this matter to include the 2018's including ours as it has the same issue. Please help us to have this matter resolved.

NHTSA complaint #11717803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Been getting abs warning alarm for over 2 years and no fix in site. Also cruise does not function when in alarm been living with this alarm for 2 years or more. I would like to sell vehicle but cannot with this unrepaired recall. Need some action asap.

NHTSA complaint #11711604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle had multiple unresolved safety defects from the time of purchase. The radio and electrical system never functioned correctly and could not be repaired despite repeated dealer visits. The stabilizer bar failed and fell out while driving, causing loss of steering stability. The vehicle is currently subject to an open federal safety recall for ABS/ESC/traction control loss with no repair remedy available. These defects created a serious crash risk and caused loss of safe use of the vehicle. The manufacturer and authorized dealer failed to repair the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11710746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I own a 2018 Ram 2500 equipped with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine that I purchased brand new in Iowa. For approximately the last four to five years, my vehicle has displayed persistent warnings including “Service Electronic Braking System,” ABS warning light, and traction control warnings, accompanied by constant audible alerts. As a result, multiple braking safety systems are disabled, including anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, and cruise control. For several years I contacted Ram dealerships and the manufacturer regarding this issue and was repeatedly told that repair parts were unavailable. During this time, widespread reports of identical failures were being discussed on owner forums and among dealerships. A federal safety recall was eventually issued for the ABS control module, and I received my official recall notification letter approximately one year ago. Despite the recall being active, the manufacturer and local dealerships continue to state that no replacement parts are available and that there is no estimated timeline for when a remedy will be provided. As of today, my vehicle remains unrepaired and continues to operate with disabled braking safety systems and constant warning alarms. This is a heavy-duty truck that is regularly operated in Iowa, where inclement weather conditions including snow, ice, and heavy rain are common. I am concerned about the safety risk posed by operating a vehicle with compromised braking and stability systems and the lack of any available remedy after more than a year under an active safety recall. I am submitting this complaint to document the ongoing safety defect, the prolonged lack of remedy, and the manufacturer’s inability to provide a timeline for repair of this federally recalled braking system.

NHTSA complaint #11710119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service ABS light constantly alerting, every time I touch brakes. Loses cruise control. I called two local dealerships who tell me parts are unavailable. This is on recall, why aren’t parts available?

NHTSA complaint #11709673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and hauling an RV, the trailer brakes intermittently became inoperable. The message "Trailer Brakes Disconnected - Check Trailer Wiring" was displayed. The contact replaced the trailer wiring; however, the failure persisted. 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the HCU had failed, and the failure was related to the trailer brakes' failure. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 and informed the contact that the recall remedy was available. However, the dealer sent a document to the contact that stated that the part for the model year of the vehicle was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA complaint #11709365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.