The Used Car Index

2018 Ram 2500 problems

NHTSA lists 2,597 complaints for the 2018 Ram 2500, 39 of them mention a crash and 5 mention a fire. 7 complaints mention an injury, with 12 injuries and 1 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as RAM 2500.

At a glance

Complaints
2,597
With crash
39
With fire
5
With injury (complaints)
7
Injuries
12
Deaths
1
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,815,661
Investigations
4
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
432

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
SERVICE BRAKES1,83870.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM47518.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC45917.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL34213.2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2258.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1034.0%
STEERING853.3%
POWER TRAIN752.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR592.3%
ENGINE371.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING153
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL90
SERVICE BRAKES, AIRANTILOCK59
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP48
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCRUISE CONTROL16
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS8
STRUCTUREBODY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS2
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION2

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic1,97876.2%0.89
loss of control31212.0%0.75
mechanical failure1425.5%0.70
unclear1264.9%0.88
visibility or lighting120.5%0.84
noise or comfort90.3%0.65
restraint or airbag80.3%0.95
fire or overheating50.2%0.78
fluid or fuel leak30.1%0.85
structural or corrosion20.1%0.38
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate1,85671.5%0.82
low60423.3%0.63
high1084.2%0.80
none281.1%0.72
critical10.0%0.91

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 2,597 tagged complaints of 2,597 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

25V592000

Date: 2025-09-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

25V010000

Date: 2025-01-16. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

24V896000

Date: 2024-11-27. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

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. (excerpt)

Consequence: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. F (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V347000

Date: 2019-05-09. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 curren (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V021000

Date: 2019-01-25. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V398000

Date: 2018-06-14. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

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."

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V332000

Date: 2018-05-17. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

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 Jee (excerpt)

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

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 d (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V100000

Date: 2018-02-08. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

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 tran (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V824000

Date: 2017-12-21. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive fo (excerpt)

Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall i (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

4 investigations; 1 open.

RQ25003

Opened: 2025-07-03. Closed: Not listed.

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

Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE22012

Opened: 2022-11-28. Closed: 2025-03-03.

Loss of Brake Performance

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limite

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA19004

Opened: 2019-12-01. Closed: 2025-11-20.

Steering loss due to linkage separation

On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 trucks manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). A The drag link failures were found to be due to a safety defect with the steering linkage where the drag link adjustable connector (used to adju

Systems: STEERING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE18016

Opened: 2018-12-17. Closed: 2019-12-12.

Steering loss due to linkage separation

On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering b

Systems: STEERING.

Linked campaign numbers: 19V021000.

Manufacturer communications

432 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT157
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM95
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING41
VISIBILITY33
ENGINE29
POWER TRAIN29
STRUCTURE28
BACK OVER PREVENTION15

11037599

Date: 2026-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

AIR CLEANER - NONE Instruction to Dealers while ordering the PN# 68137142AD. 1. If the Air Cleaner Assembly is functional and only the MAF Sensor has failed, the dealer should order and replace only the MAF Sensor(68002441AC). 2. If the Air Cleaner Assembly has failed and the MAF Sensor remains func

11035980

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

11035981

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

11034385

Date: 2026-06-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection

11034393

Date: 2026-06-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning

11034337

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

11034373

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

11033975

Date: 2026-06-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

11033897

Date: 2026-06-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

11033889

Date: 2026-06-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

For Dealer awareness, HD truck, eliminate 1 of 2 M8 Joints for Sidestep bracket to Body Attachment, Bolt and rivet (06102165AA, 06511062AA) per TCR # 402632, CN 80403-T18

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
25002,597

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ram models

Other Ram models, 2018

Sources

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