Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2018 RAM 4500 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 57
Against the median year of the RAM 4500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 RAM 4500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
861.5%
Median failure at 40,942 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
17.7%
Wheels
17.7%
Median failure at 165,000 miles
Steering
17.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Median failure at 165,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
150,000+ miles
250.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2020peak 4Jan 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 RAM 4500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures of the BTSI described in the VOQs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17V-821 or 18V-100.Both recalls address a potential condition which can ca...
Recalls on the 2018 RAM 4500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202472722,119 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain trucks, the brake hydraulic control unit could fail. Over time, this could cause the antilock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) system and/or traction control not to work. Note: This recall also affects certain RAM 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cab incomplete vehicles. Safety Risk: An antilock braking system, electronic stability control system and/or traction control system that doesn't work could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: FCA Canada will notify owners in writing and advise you to take your truck to a dealership to replace the brake hydraulic control unit.
Recall 2024548314,717 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202133630,899 units in Canada
Wheels
Issue: On certain pickup and chassis-cab trucks, the owner's manual and service manual list the wrong torque specification for the wheel nuts. As a result, some trucks may have had the lug nuts over-tightened during servicing. This can damage the wheel studs and, over time, they could break. If this happens, a wheel could separate from the truck. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts. Safety Risk: A wheel separation could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. A wheel that separates could also hit another person or vehicle. Corrective Action: FCA Canada will contact owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to inspect and replace the wheel studs, as necessary. They will also provide an update for the torque specification listed in the owner's manual.
Recall 2018269635,880 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, an electronic fault may create a situation where the cruise control cannot be deactivated. If this occurs and the driver does not apply the brakes or shift the transmission to neutral, the vehicle could maintain speed or accelerate without warning, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software and perform an update as necessary. Note: In the interim, owners are advised not to use the cruise control until the vehicle is repaired.
Recall 2018221505 units in Canada
Brakes
Certain cab chassis vehicles may have been built without corrosion protection on the two brake hoses located between the master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit. Premature corrosion of the hoses may cause a brake fluid leak and potentially result in a partial or complete loss of brake function, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect the brake hoses, and repair as necessary.
Recall 201808141,903 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with a steering column gear shifter, the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) may become inoperative. This could allow the steering column gear shifter lever to be shifted out of the PARK (P) position without depressing the service brake pedal or having the key in the ignition, which could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the BTSI as necessary. The Body Control Module (BCM) will also be updated.
Recall 20176637,391 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles equipped with the Roadside Emergency Kit containing a Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive force to activate. Also, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury, and fail to discharge. In case of fire, failure of the extinguisher to function could result in injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the suspect Kidde fire extinguisher with a new Kidde fire extinguisher with a steel nozzle. For more information about recalled fire extinguishers, please visit <a href="https://inmarmarketaction.com/kidde/Kidde284CA/">www.kidde.com</a>.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 50,000 milesAiken, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 4500. 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 message to "Check ABS" was displayed with an abnormal beeping sound. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. 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 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11712171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vidor, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 4500. 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 not 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. The vehicle was parked and was no longer driven due to safety concerns.
NHTSA complaint #11710786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingman, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 27,2024 Manufacturer Recall NumberC4B NHTSA Recall Number24V-896 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Still no repair for defective parts. Over years.
NHTSA complaint #11709384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nov 27,2024 Manufacturer Recall NumberC4B NHTSA Recall Number24V-896 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Still no repair for defective parts. Over years.
NHTSA complaint #11709384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potsdam, NY
STEERING
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11696511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potsdam, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11696511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potsdam, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11696511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oroville, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 4500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated, before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo had failed, and there were 39 diagnostic trouble codes retrieved. The dealer determined that the turbo, the intake manifold sensor, the exhaust pressure sensors, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred four months later. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 15 MPH to park the vehicle, while her husband and dog were occupying the passenger’s side seat, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and struck one of the contact's parked vehicles. The contact stated that the dog sustained injuries after being thrusted forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11669720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oroville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 4500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated, before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo had failed, and there were 39 diagnostic trouble codes retrieved. The dealer determined that the turbo, the intake manifold sensor, the exhaust pressure sensors, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred four months later. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 15 MPH to park the vehicle, while her husband and dog were occupying the passenger’s side seat, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond and struck one of the contact's parked vehicles. The contact stated that the dog sustained injuries after being thrusted forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11669720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,885 milesAliquippa, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 4500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately, causing the braking distance to be extended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,885. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11661508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zwingle, IA
SERVICE BRAKES
The Anti-Lock Brake(ABS) & Electronic Stability Control(ESC) warning lights will come on and off during normally driving conditions. When The ESC light comes on the cruise control is non functioning. If the cruise control is set when the warning light is off, the cruise will disengage when it comes on.
NHTSA complaint #11613604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesGastonia, NC
POWER TRAIN
4X4 DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AT THE U-JOINT. I'VE ONLY USED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE OPTION 2-3 TIMES AND THE TRANSFER WAS IN 2H AT TIME OF FAILURE. FRONT ALUMINUM WHEELS FRACTURED. BOTH FRONT WHEELS GOT HAIRLINE CRACKS. ONE AT ABOUT 145K MILES AND THE OTHER AT ABOUT 160K. 90% OF MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11363348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesGastonia, NC
WHEELS
4X4 DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AT THE U-JOINT. I'VE ONLY USED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE OPTION 2-3 TIMES AND THE TRANSFER WAS IN 2H AT TIME OF FAILURE. FRONT ALUMINUM WHEELS FRACTURED. BOTH FRONT WHEELS GOT HAIRLINE CRACKS. ONE AT ABOUT 145K MILES AND THE OTHER AT ABOUT 160K. 90% OF MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11363348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.