2018 Ram 1500 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Ram 1500 holds 661 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 48 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most 1500 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 65. NHTSA has 15 recalls on file, including Inflator, Engine and engine cooling, and Fuel pump.

2013 Ram 1500 — Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

661

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (159 of 661), then Engine (110) and Steering (86). Those filings include 25 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 14 that report an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 1500 has 878 complaints, 66 per year, and the 2019 has 1,477 complaints, 157 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Ram 1500. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (15)

Recall air bags, side and window, curtain, inflator 2025-09-11 · NHTSA campaign 25V592000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall air bags, side and window, curtain, inflator 2025-01-16 · NHTSA campaign 25V010000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Engine and engine cooling 2023-06-08 · NHTSA campaign 23V411000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Remedy Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

Recall diesel fuel system, delivery, fuel pump 2022-06-09 · NHTSA campaign 22V406000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

Remedy Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.

Recall air bags, side and window, curtain, inflator 2021-08-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V632000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.

Recall engine and cooling, engine, diesel 2020-08-13 · NHTSA campaign 20V475000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Remedy FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.

Recall engine and cooling, exhaust system, emission control, EGR valve 2019-10-24 · NHTSA campaign 19V757000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.

Recall latches, locks, and linkages, tailgate, latch 2019-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 19V347000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Driveshaft 2019-04-25 · NHTSA campaign 19V324000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.

Remedy FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.

Recall powertrain, axle assembly 2018-08-23 · NHTSA campaign 18V556000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U88.

Recall electrical system, wiring, front underhood wiring 2018-08-09 · NHTSA campaign 18V524000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2018-06-14 · NHTSA campaign 18V398000

Summary 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."

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.

Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2018-05-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V280000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2018-02-08 · NHTSA campaign 18V100000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (661 total)

Electrical system

159

Engine

110

Steering

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Diesel fuel system

Engine and engine cooling

Service brakes

Speed control

Suspension

Air bags

Back-over prevention

Structure

Visibility and wipers

Exterior lighting

Seat belts

Forward collision avoidance

Fuel system, gasoline

Seats

Equipment

Wheels

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Hydraulic brakes

Latches, locks, and linkages

Tires

Visibility

Lane departure

Show 19 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). After retrieving the vehicle,…"
Engine and engine cooling, diesel fuel system · filed 2026-09-17
"After driving through a heavy downpour, power steering cut out intermittently. The next day, it became full inoperable. Repair shop initially suggested letting the controls "dry out". When that was unsuccessful, the…"
Steering, Electrical system · filed 2026-09-11
"XXX, [XXX] East Bound 9:30 PM, , pulling a tandem-axle boat and trailer 6000# GVW , the truck slowed suddenly, in traffic 62 MPH. I contacted CJDR dealers in [XXX], and [XXX], and both stated there was no recall,…"
Powertrain, Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-09-04
"At low speeds the Electronic power steering hesitates and i have to force the wheels to turn. Once upto speed of 35mph or higher the power steering works flawless. This is an issue for me as a first responder and is a…"
Steering · filed 2026-09-04
"The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side seat belt failed to latch. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but…"
Seat belts · filed 2026-09-04

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
1500 two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$3250
1500 two-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	22	17 MPG	$4350
1500 two-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	20	27	23 MPG	$4100
1500 four-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	16	23	19 MPG	$3400
1500 four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Four-wheel drive	13	18	14 MPG	$5300
1500 four-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	19	27	22 MPG	$4300
1500 four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$4350

Specs and fitment

DS generation (fourth gen), 2013–2018

Body styles Pickup

Oil FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 275/60R20, 265/70R17, 285/45R22, 285/70R17 (trim dependent)

Towing capacity 10,620 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2014) concentrate on steering. Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers inspect, secure the harness, and add protective caps. Safety recall 17V-302 covers certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500 trucks: off-road driving or debris can fault the Occupant Restraint Controller so rollover curtain air bags and pretensioners will not deploy; dealers update ORC software. Safety recall 20V-475 (later addressed again under 23V-411) covers certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 trucks with the 3.0L diesel whose crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate and stall the engine; dealers update powertrain control module software. Those diesel campaigns apply only to EcoDiesel-equipped trucks, not the gasoline majority.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Ram 1500 Next year 2019 Ram 1500 See every Ram 1500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ram 1500 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 Ram 1500?

Is the 2018 Ram 1500 more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2018 Ram 1500 been recalled?

The 2018 Ram 1500 has 15 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Ram 1500?

Owners have filed 661 complaints about the 2018 Ram 1500 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Ram 1500 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Ram 1500 is 18.9 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Ram 1500 use?

FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel)

What does NHTSA recall 15V-459 cover on the Ram 1500?

Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers…

What generation is the 2014 Ram 1500?

DS generation (fourth gen) (2013-2018).