repaired · 2026 Q3
Curtain: inflator
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
2018 Ram 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 669 owner complaints about the 2018 Ram 1500, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 15 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-592 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Ram 1500 has problems
669 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
160Electrical system7 crash/fire/injury
110Engine4 crash/fire/injury
90Steering4 crash/fire/injury
81Fuel/propulsion system2 crash/fire/injury
60Power train4 crash/fire/injury
52Fuel system, diesel
46Engine and engine cooling
44Service brakes
31Vehicle speed control
15918 other systems18 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 160 | 7 |
| Engine | 110 | 4 |
| Steering | 90 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 81 | 2 |
| Power train | 60 | 4 |
| Fuel system, diesel | 52 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 46 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 44 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 159 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
15 recalls
2018 Ram 1500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Curtain: inflator
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 11 more recalls
repaired · 2024 Q4
Side/window: curtain
Risk. A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the…
repaired · 2022 Q4
Engine: diesel
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Risk. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Tailgate: latch
Risk. 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.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Wiring: front underhood
Risk. A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Sensing system: camera
Risk. A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Electrical system: software
Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended…
repaired · 2019 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ram.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
21kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 40 electrical system complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 32% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
24under 30k miles38under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other 1500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 1500 median. How we score
'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2018 Ram 1500 safety ratings
2018 Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 2WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Ram 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- High pressure fuel pump failureLed to recall 24V-957
- Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) FailureOpen
In owners' words
What 1500 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am experiencing intermittent notifications that the electronic breaking system is deactivated, especially on longer trips on highways. The traction control light then illuminate on the dashboard. Sometimes the warning resets after the vehicle sits overnight, but then will reappear randomly.
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 shop suggested taking it to a dealer, stating that the entire rack and pinion…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the infotainment screen delaminated, and the HVAC system, radio, rear-view camera, or navigation system became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Own a 2018 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.