2018 RAM 4500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
13
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
17
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2018 RAM 4500
The 2018 RAM 4500 has received a total of 13 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS. 17 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulic (5 complaints), Service Brakes (3 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2018 RAM 4500
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2018 RAM 4500, potentially affecting up to 16,353,314 vehicles.
Recall 24V896000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 317,630 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 19V236000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
| 36 vehicles affected
Defect: 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....
Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 18V277000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 2,457 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the ferrules corrode, the brake fluid may leak and cause a loss of braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 18V332000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
| 4,815,661 vehicles affected
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...
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.
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:...
View full details →Recall 18V332000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
| 4,815,661 vehicles affected
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...
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.
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:...
View full details →Recall 18V332000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 4,815,661 vehicles affected
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...
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.
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:...
View full details →Recall 18V100000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 180,462 vehicles affected
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...
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 17V824000 — EQUIPMENT
| 61,791 vehicles affected
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 force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may...
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 RAM 4500
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 RAM 4500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message to "Check ABS" was displayed with an abnormal beeping sound. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vehicle was parked and was no longer driven due to safety concerns.
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.
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.
See attached document for complaint.
Safety Rating for the 2018 RAM 4500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 RAM 4500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 RAM 4500
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 17 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 RAM 4500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
94006 — STRUCTURE:BODY
WIPERUNIT - WINDSHIELD WIPER, BLADE - FRONT WIPER
S2223000063 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Ambient Temperature Sensor Servicing.
1813122 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following DTCs have been set: P064F - Unauthorized Software/Calibration Detected. P229F...
9004470 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONNECTOR/WIRING, Trailer Tow If the connector or wiring is physically damaged, burned, melted or corroded, prior to replacing the part, please contact FCA Redacted Content If no response in 15 minutes, proceed with repair. Please send pictures of the failed part to FCA Redacted Content
0811721 — STEERING
UAS and UCS Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software level to 39.6 Customers may experience one or more of the following: Intermittent, black radio display screen. Intermittent, radio freezes. Bluetooth® pairing and/or connection issues. Lost radio presets. Radio channels change by itself. SXM...
S2108000127 — EQUIPMENT
Radio Reboot Continually
S1625000007 Rev. — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P207F ? Reductant Quality Performance Set.
S2008000141 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Navigation Shows Incorrect Location
D-19-02 Rev. E — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fast Feedback Program - 6.7L Cummins Engine - 2019 & 2020 HD Ram & 6.7L Cummins Diesel Engine Control Module (ECM) - 2018 Ram- All Models (Rev. E)
S1808000235 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Sound Distortion After FOTA Update Audio Sounds Muffled Has Too Much Bass or Flat Sounding
Showing 10 of 17 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 RAM 4500
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2018 RAM 4500.
Investigation RQ25003 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Open
Opened:
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Other Model Years of the RAM 4500
- 2013 RAM 4500 — 5 complaints
- 2014 RAM 4500 — 10 complaints
- 2015 RAM 4500 — 11 complaints
- 2016 RAM 4500 — 1 complaint
- 2017 RAM 4500 — 5 complaints
- 2018 RAM 4500 (current)
- 2019 RAM 4500 — 8 complaints
- 2020 RAM 4500 — 4 complaints
- 2021 RAM 4500 — 0 complaints
- 2022 RAM 4500 — 3 complaints
- 2023 RAM 4500 — 0 complaints
Other RAM Models
- RAM 1500 — 15,786 total complaints
- RAM 2500 — 7,223 total complaints
- RAM 3500 — 3,311 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER — 739 total complaints
- RAM 5500 — 194 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER CITY — 139 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER 2500 — 52 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER 3500 — 30 total complaints