Is the 2018 Ram 3500 reliable?

The 2018 Ram 3500 has 1120 complaints filed with NHTSA (6.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ram 3500?

Top problems: BRAKES (634 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (132 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (130 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ram 3500?

Yes, there are 11 recall(s): STEERING:LINKAGES, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR. Contact any Ram dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Ram 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ram 3500 is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Ram 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ram 3500 has 1120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 6.2x the segment average of 182. The most common issue is brakes problems (57% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 ram 3500. while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. in addition, the hill assist warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to lander mclarty dodge chrysler jeep ram (6533 university dr nw, huntsville, al) wh. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 18 crash reports 7 injuries

1120

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

6.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

634 complaints

57%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE HILL ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDER MCLARTY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6533 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL) WH
• INTEGRATED BRAKE SYSTEM FOR TOWING TRAILERS (ITBS) DOES NOT WORK. SAFETY HAZARD AS THE TRUCK CAN NOT STOP THE 150000 POUND 29T ARCTIC FOX 5TH WHEEL. AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS DODGE GAVE UP AND SAID THE ITBS WORKS AS DESIGNED. THE 5TH WHEEL WAS CERTIFIED THAT THE BRAKES WORK WITH OTHER TOW VEHICLES. NOT WIT
• THE BRAKES ARE VERY SOFT AND THE TRUCK LEANS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. DRIVERS SIDE REAR SITS 1 INCH LOWER AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS 1/2 LOWER THIS LEANING ISSUE CAUSES THE TRUCK TO HANDLE DIFFERENT WHEN TURNING RIGHT WHILE DRIVING.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 9 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE HILL ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDER MCLARTY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6533 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL) WH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ram 3500

Based on 216 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 124 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 43K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (11)

STEERING:LINKAGES16/10/2018

Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle.

Risk: The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ram 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2018 3500, 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1120 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE HILL ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDER MCLARTY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6533 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL) WH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TRUCK SHUDDERS WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND AGAIN FROM 2ND TO THIRD . SHUDDER HARD ENOUGH TO SEE TO DASH SHACK. SHIFTING SHUDDER HARD WHILE TOWING. BLUE TOOTH CUTS OUT WHILE STREAMING MUSIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: FRONT STEERING ARM COUPLERS CAME LOOSE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: ABS and Traction control pump system electrical failure. Went to a Dodge Dealer and had the system read due to light coming on and off. Originally started around 38,000 miles on the truck. A code came up C0020-01. ABS pump motor control electrical failure. Researched on the net. Seems to be a big is
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)