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2018 Ram 1500: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

648 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
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Owner complaints: 648 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 81.0

Electrical System157Engine108Unknown Or Other92Steering80Fuel/Propulsion System80Fuel System58

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

My ABS Control Module on my 2018 Ram 1500 Express has been out for over a year and the part is still on backorder. I need this fixed as it is a safety issue. My ABS, traction control, and emergency brake light is on.
My 2018 Ram 1500 suddenly lost power steering assistance while I was driving, making the steering extremely difficult to turn and creating a significant safety hazard. The power steering stopped working without adequate warning, and I am concerned about the known issues involving the electric power steering system on these vehicles. I am reporting this failure to NHTSA because a sudden loss of steering assistance cou…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while stopped and attempting to turn left, the steering wheel became firm, making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a chip needed to be re…

Recalls: 12 campaigns (4 severe)

20182019202020212022
CampaignComponentSummary
18V280000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and R…
18V100000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles…
19V347000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:LatchChrysler (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 t…
22V406000Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel PumpChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines…
18V524000Electrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey,…
21V632000Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:InflatorChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Cha…
20V475000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:DieselChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. …
18V398000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CaChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a los…

True cost of ownership

Fuel (your region) $0
Maintenance band (your region) $1,992$4,106
Estimated running cost this year (age 8) $4,106

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$5,401vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ram 1500?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (157 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2018 Ram 1500 a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 10/100, computed from 648 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2018 Ram 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Ram 1500, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/05/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2018 Ram 1500 really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

10RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 648 NHTSA complaints on record (81.0/yr of exposure)
  • 12 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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