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2018 Ram 3500

The Verdict

10 Total Klunk

The 2018 Ram 3500 has 773 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (626 complaints) and body (80 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 10/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Ram 3500, consider the 2023 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Ram 3500 dashboard →

10

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
201353313414
20149212224927
20154822143319
2016661016329
20176118093615
201880626272119
201935796615
20202475668
202120511188
202224101629105
202351450
2024981064
20255101412

By Category

Brakes
626
Body
80
Electrical
27
Engine
21
Transmission
19

By Severity

1
383
2
374
4
15
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 4

The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal cracking sound and smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact inspected and used a fire extinguisher to slow the smoke and electrical sparks down. The contact did not notice any fire. The fire department arrived and disconnected the electrical cables to prevent further damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was traveling on vacation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was later towed to an RV service center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

11d ago
Brakes 1

Before the recall, I was driving my vehicle and the brakes and the power steering locked up. The vehicle felt like it was trying to drive with the emergency brake on. After this happened, I took the vehicle to Haley Jeep Jam, Richmond, VA, and they said they couldn't determine anything was wrong, but replaced the brake pads. Shortly after this visit to the service department, the recall appeared. Since the recall, we have contacted Haley Jeep Ram and Whitten Brothers multiple times, but they are unable to fix the recall due to no resolution from Daimler Chrysler. In August 2025, Whitten Brothers, Ashland, VA, replaced the part with a new, recalled part as a temporary fix. There is still no permanent fix for this recall which continues to be a safety risk. Since the vehicle has an outstanding safety recall, we are unable to sell or trade in this vehicle. We have been patiently waiting but believe this should no longer be our problem. Daimler Chrysler needs to do the right thing to assist the vehicle owners. We have mailed a corresponding letter to NHTSA. Thank you for your time.

13d ago
Brakes 2

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

16d ago
Brakes 2

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated while driving and the ABS and cruise control features were inoperable. The failure mileage was 80,000.

16d ago
Brakes 2

ABS/TRACTION CONTROL light and warning alarm goes off continuously. Very dangerous when towing a 15k pound camper.

17d ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service breaks, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

22d ago
Brakes 4

This recall came out 1.5 years ago and there still is no remedy. At a car wash my truck wouldn’t stop and I slid into a concrete pole and damaged the fender and headlight. The corporate office told me, when I called, that currently there is nothing that they can do.

27d ago
Brakes 1

Waiting over 18 months for recall repairs to be made. My truck will not pass the mandatory state safety inspection because the ABS lights in the dash board display. This makes me operating the truck illegal and subject to a violation. Called manufacturer numerous times to complain yet they take no action.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving over a bump or crack on the roadway, there was a dinging sound coming from the dashboard. The contact stated the traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the recall. The vehicle was repaired; however, the the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

I am the owner of a 2018 Ram 3500 subject to Recall C4B (NHTSA Recall No. 24V-896) involving the Brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU). The recall was announced on November 27, 2024. As of June 2026, NHTSA’s website still states that the recall is incomplete and that a remedy is not yet available for my vehicle. The defect causes active symptoms during operation. The vehicle continuously chimes while driving, similar to a seatbelt warning, and cruise control is disabled. These symptoms substantially interfere with normal operation, especially during long trips and towing. I have contacted authorized Ram dealerships and Ram Customer Care multiple times. Dealerships state that no remedy is available and refer me to Ram Customer Care. Ram Customer Care confirms that no remedy is available and provides no repair timeline or meaningful resolution. Most concerning, neither the dealerships nor Ram Customer Care will initiate a repair attempt because no repair procedure or parts exist. Owners are therefore unable to obtain repairs or even establish documented repair attempts despite the existence of an active safety recall. I was also advised that I could rent a vehicle at my own expense and potentially seek reimbursement if approved. Given that this recall has been open for more than 18 months with no available remedy or repair timeline, expecting owners to personally fund rental costs for an unknown period with only the possibility of reimbursement is unrealistic and inadequate. This open safety recall has negatively impacted the vehicle’s usability, resale value, and trade-in value while preventing owners from obtaining a repair. Stellantis acknowledges the safety defect, yet no practical remedy or alternative solution is available. I respectfully request that NHTSA review the continued lack of an available remedy, the extended delay in repairs, and the absence of a meaningful process for affected owners to obtain relief.

1mo ago
Transmission 2

Front axle disconnect failed at only 15,136 miles

1mo ago
Brakes 2

See attached document for complaint.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the ABS cycled off while driving. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the parts being backordered. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

1mo ago
Brakes 2

Several years of ABS check light illuminated. No ABS, no cruise control. Started intermittently then became permanent. Diesel shop diagnosed defective HCU/ABS module. Local RAM dealer parts department doesn’t have parts for years - “ indefinite back order”, they say.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

ABS and Traction control lights keep coming on intermittently. I know this is a known problem and a recall has already been issued. I feel like this is too important of an issue for Ram to be allowed 18 months and still no remedy. I could understand if this was a part availability wait but to not have a remedy after 18 months should require some sort of punishment for them or something should be done to make them fix this issue. There were previous models that didn't have this issue and there are replacement HCU modules out there for a 2011 - 2016 as well as 2019 and newer models that are good parts not under this recall, why can't the remedy be to use the parts used on these models to fix this issue. That is something that shouldn't take 18 months for a company to resolve. It appears they do not really plan to resolve this issues from what dealers are telling us. That is uncalled for.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated, rendering the cruise control inoperable. The contact later 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who related the failure to the recall but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

I had to drive my truck yesterday and this ABS issue is causing my cruise to suddenly stop working, the service engine light to come on and STELLANTIS WILL NOT ISSUE A RENTAL OR PAY FOR THE REMEDY THAT WILL FIX IT PER THEM. They are saying that I need to pay for this and then they MAY or MAY NOT reimburse me. At what point will you start pressing this issue being a SAFETY advocate and US business that is paid to make sure these vehicle manufacturers are fixing these issues? US Customer Care [XXX] > Fri, Mar 20, 5:15 PM to me Hi [XXX] , This is Darell, one of the supervisors in the Stellantis Recall Department. I attempted to reach you by phone, but your voicemail inbox appears to be full, so I am sending this email instead. Regarding your concern about Safety Recall C4B: Hydraulic Control Unit, please note the following: At this time, the official Stellantis recall remedy is not yet available, even though the recall is currently in Phase 4 of 5 toward final remedy release. We also do not have a timeframe for when the final remedy will be issued. However, there is a suitable alternative repair option using parts associated with the recall remedy for the 2017–2018 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis (DD) and Ram 4500 <10K lb. Cab Chassis (DF). Below are the part numbers that may be presented to your dealership. They will be able to determine the appropriate next steps based on the vehicle's condition. Parts Information (Alternative Repair Option) Part No.: 68143491AB Qty.: 1 Part Name: Anti?Lock Brake System (Control) Applicable Models: – 2017–2018 (DF) Ram 3500 <10K lb. Cab Chassis – 2017–2018 (DD) Ram 3500 Cab Chassis Part No.: 04318080AD Qty.: 3 Part Name: Brake Fluid Please understand that this is not a mandatory repair option, but rather an alternative if you prefer not to wait for the official recall remedy. This repair would initially be an out of pocket expense, but you may later file for recall reimbursement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Brakes 1

There is still no remedy to this recall and my truck is affected - I have been driving with NO ABS AND NO TRACTION CONTROL for almost 4 YEARS. This has also deactivated my cruise control. This is unacceptable and compromises me and my families safety. This is not a question of if it is going to happen, but when. My vehicle isn't under the category of "may be susceptible to failure" it has failed and I have permanently lost those BASIC and CRITICAL safety features. It is simply a matter of WHEN the lack of those features will cause an accident. There must be something done. . I have spoken with Mopar and several dealerships and nobody has given me any solution other than to say they will call me when a remedy is available. That is NOT ENOUGH. Recall language for C4B "The brake hydraulic control unit (HCU) on your vehicle [1] may be susceptible to failure or malfunction which may result in a reduction or change of Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) /Electronic Stability Control (ESC) /Traction Control performance. A failing HCU will initially result in the intermittent loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control progressing to permanent loss. The loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. "

2mo ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. 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 while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal felt soft and spongy upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the "Service Brakes System", 4WD, traction control, and ABS warning lights all appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the entire brake system was replaced. The contact stated that the 4WD had failed to operate as needed and the mechanic could not repair that part. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

2mo ago
Brakes 2

I am getting an error concerning the antilock brakes on my truck. This error is random shows up every few days. When it does show up it dings every thirty seconds and does not stop, which is very distracting. Also shuts off the cruise control. It took a copy of the recall to my local dodge dealer and they will not fix it.

2mo ago

773 total

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