2018 Ram 4500 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Ram 4500 holds 9 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 0 per year. 4500 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Lug nuts, and Brake lights.

2013 Ram 4500 — Photo by Florian Pépellin, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Hydraulic brakes (5 of 9), then Service brakes (4) and Engine and engine cooling (1).

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 4500 has 5 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2019 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as 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 4500. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (7)

Recall Brake control module 2024-11-27 · NHTSA campaign 24V896000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall wheels, lug nuts 2021-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 21V398000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall exterior lighting, brake lights 2019-03-26 · NHTSA campaign 19V236000

Summary Excellance, Inc. (Excellance) is recalling certain 2018 Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-650, F-550 4x4, Chevrolet G4500, G4500 Diesel, C3500, G3500, Freightliner M2, International 4300, and Dodge 4500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy Excellance has notified owners, instructing them to contact Whelen to have the brake lights replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331 or Execellance at 1-256-772-9321.

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 hydraulic brakes, foundation components, hoses and fittings 2018-05-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V277000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules, which can allow the ferrules to corrode.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U41.

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.

Recall Equipment 2017-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000

Summary 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 force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

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 is T82.

Complaints by component (9 total)

Hydraulic brakes

Service brakes

Engine and engine cooling

Forward collision avoidance

Powertrain

Steering

Wheels

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The vehicle has an active recall open on it (confirmed by local dealership, NHTSA webform, and directly with Ram/Stellantis) that was opened in 2024 and currently has no remedy available. The vehicles brake HCU fails…"
Service brakes · filed 2026-08-27
"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…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-01-20
"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…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-01-13
"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."
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-01-07
"See attached document for complaint."
Steering, Hydraulic brakes, Service brakes · filed 2025-10-30

Specs and fitment

Fourth-generation cab chassis, 2013–2018

Body styles Cab chassis

Oil 0W-40 (6.4L V8 gasoline, all temps) , 7 qt capacity

Tire size LT225/70R19.5, LT225/80R17.5, LT245/70R19.5 (trim/chassis dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-277 covers certain 2018 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks: the primary and secondary brake hoses between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured incorrectly and could leak brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase crash risk. Dealers inspect the hoses and replace them if necessary. Recall 21V-398 also covers certain 2012-2021 Ram 4500 cab chassis vehicles: incorrect lug-nut torque information in service and owner's manuals may cause flanged lug nuts to be undertorqued; dealers update the published torque specification and inspect wheel studs.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Ram 4500 Next year 2019 Ram 4500 See every Ram 4500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ram 4500 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 Ram 4500?

The complaints owners file most often name Hydraulic brakes (5 of 9), then Service brakes (4) and Engine and engine cooling (1).

Is the 2018 Ram 4500 more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2018 Ram 4500 been recalled?

The 2018 Ram 4500 has 7 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 4500?

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2018 Ram 4500 with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a US Ram 4500 use?

0W-40 or 5W-40 (6.4L gas common; diesel may differ)

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Ram 4500?

Recall 21V-398 covers certain 2012-2021 Ram 4500 cab chassis vehicles: incorrect information in the service and owner's manuals may cause flanged lug nuts to be undertorqued, which can allow a wheel to loosen or detach and increase crash risk. Dealers update the torque specification in the owner's manual and published service documents, and inspect the vehicle's wheel studs.

Where should I confirm Ram 4500 maintenance specs?

Use the US owner manual and under-hood labels for oil grade, capacities, and tire pressures; this page summarizes common US fitments but does not replace the manual.