2018 Ram 1500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 862 complaints
862
Total Complaints
28,000mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
34
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
11,000
25th Percentile
28,000
Median Mileage
64,605
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
149
Engine
105
Unknown Or Other
89
Fuel/Propulsion System
75
Steering
67
Power Train
53
Fuel System, Diesel
49
Service Brakes
40
Engine And Engine Cooling
40
Vehicle Speed Control
26
Severity Assessment
34
Crashes
12
Fires
43
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TRUCK WONT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN TURNING THE ROTARY DIAL. THIS HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR A COUPLE OF MILES. IF YOU TURN THE ROTARY DIAL TO THE THE R POSITION IT JUST SITS THERE LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. IN ORDER TO GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE DIAL BACK TO P, THEN TURN TH..."
"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..."
"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..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
149 complaints
25th: 6,575 mi
Median: 17,900 mi
75th: 32,250 mi
Engine
105 complaints
25th: 13,500 mi
Median: 25,278 mi
75th: 49,854 mi
Unknown Or Other
89 complaints
25th: 4,025 mi
Median: 20,000 mi
75th: 42,825 mi
Fuel/Propulsion System
75 complaints
25th: 4,438 mi
Median: 12,650 mi
75th: 26,750 mi
Steering
67 complaints
25th: 23,000 mi
Median: 64,000 mi
75th: 80,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 140
TX: 104
FL: 59
OH: 40
NY: 38
PA: 37
WA: 25
IL: 24
MI: 24
GA: 23
Who Files Complaints?
1.6%
Original Owners
98.4%
Second+ Owners
Ram 1500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (15)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Diesel
Campaign 20V475000 | 13/08/2020
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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
Latch
Campaign 19V347000 | 09/05/2019
If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this rec
Camera
Campaign 18V398000 | 14/06/2018
A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 18V280000 | 01/05/2018
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Wiring
Campaign 18V332000 | 17/05/2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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: Owners are advised to stop using cruise
Inflator
Campaign 21V632000 | 12/08/2021
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number
Driveshaft
Campaign 19V324000 | 25/04/2019
A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.
Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Campaign 19V757000 | 24/10/2019
Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB
Axle Assembly
Campaign 18V556000 | 23/08/2018
If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is
Front Underhood
Campaign 18V524000 | 09/08/2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 18V100000 | 08/02/2018
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.
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 number for this rec
Fuel Pump
Campaign 22V406000 | 09/06/2022
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting Ja
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 23V411000 | 08/06/2023
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification
Inflator
Campaign 25V010000 | 16/01/2025
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Inflator
Campaign 25V592000 | 11/09/2025
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 83C, 91C, and 92C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) invol
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28