2018 Ram 1500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Ram 1500 has 889 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 1093. The most common issue is electrical problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: after getting back in my vehicle parked on a city street i restarted it and put it into drive. it would not move. i revved the engine but it still did not move. i finally shifted into park and back into drive again and them it worked. this has happened manly times before and the selector switch has . There are 15 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.
889
Total Complaints
15
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
156 complaints- • AFTER GETTING BACK IN MY VEHICLE PARKED ON A CITY STREET I RESTARTED IT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I REVVED THE ENGINE BUT IT STILL DID NOT MOVE. I FINALLY SHIFTED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE AGAIN AND THEM IT WORKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANLY TIMES BEFORE AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH HAS
- • STARTED CAR IN MORNING AND BACK UP CAMERA FLASHED ON AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. PUT CAR IN PARK AND REVERSE AND STILL NO PICTURE. TURNED CAR OFF AND STILL NO PICTURE. THE MANUAL CAMERA BUTTON WOULD NOT ACTIVATE CAMERA EITHER.
- • PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT PREMATURELY TURNS OFF. DEALER STATES IT IS TURNING OFF BECAUSE IT IS REACHING MAX TEMPERATURE SO THE SAFETY MECHANISM IS SHUTTING IT DOWN SO IT DOES NOT BURN UP WIRING. ONLY A HANDFUL OF OTHER TRUCKS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. OTHER TRUCK OWNERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF TRU
“AFTER GETTING BACK IN MY VEHICLE PARKED ON A CITY STREET I RESTARTED IT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I REVVED THE ENGINE BUT IT STILL DID NOT MOVE. I FINALLY SHIFTED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE AGAIN AND THEM IT WORKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANLY TIMES BEFORE AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH HAS ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ram 1500
Based on 278 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 28K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL
FUEL SYSTEM
OTHER
TRANSMISSION
SUSPENSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (15)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Above-average theft risk
The Ram 1500 was the #15 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 6,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Full-size truck; catalytic converters
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2018 Ram 1500
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ram 1500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ram 1500 Service Intervals
5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2018 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2018 Ram 1500
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 889 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: AFTER GETTING BACK IN MY VEHICLE PARKED ON A CITY STREET I RESTARTED IT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I REVVED THE ENGINE BUT IT STILL DID NOT MOVE. I FINALLY SHIFTED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE AGAIN AND THEM IT WORKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANLY TIMES BEFORE AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH HAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY, AND MY VEHICLE WENT INTO PARK BY ITSELF. IT APPEARED A STRANGE MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYING 'CAR NOT IN DRIVE, SHIFT TO PARK'. ALSO MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED AN ALERT MESSAGE SAYING 'ALERT: ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, THE VEHICLE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A FUEL STATION BEING REFUELED, THE FUEL PUMP NOZZLE BECAME STUCK AND WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. THE DEALER (BOB BAKER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 5555 CAR COUNTRY DR., CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 814-9664) INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE NAVIGATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UCONNECT SYSTEM- SYSTEM IS IN REBOOT STATUS FOR THE LAST 3 DAYS - 1000'S OF 2018 VEHICLES AFFECTED - REBOOTING EVERY 60 SECONDS AND LOSS OF NAVIGATION, BACK UP CAMERA AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. NO FIX SO FAR FROM CHRYSLER - AFFECTING JEEP, DODGE, AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 15 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ram 1500 — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 889
- Recalls
- 15
- Fire reports
- 9
- Crash reports
- 19
- Injury reports
- 24
- Segment avg
- 1093
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Ram 1500