2018 Ram 3500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1081 complaints
1081
Total Complaints
40,000mi
Median Mileage
Service Brakes
Top Issue
20
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
16,000
25th Percentile
40,000
Median Mileage
76,117
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Service Brakes
476
Electrical System
127
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
99
Vehicle Speed Control
95
Automatic Emergency Braking
40
Steering
31
Unknown Or Other
29
Adaptive Cruise Control
23
Wheels
23
Power Train
20
Severity Assessment
20
Crashes
3
Fires
10
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND I SWITCHED TO 4X4 LOCK. AS I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY AT 3 MILES AN HOUR IN REVERSE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN CLOCKWISE THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE IN MOTION FOR ROUGHLY 7 FEET. IT ALSO SHOOK AS I ACCELERATED IN DRIVE SLIGHTLY AT 3 MILES AN ..."
"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..."
"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..."
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.
Service Brakes
476 complaints
25th: 5,000 mi
Median: 17,000 mi
75th: 44,750 mi
Electrical System
127 complaints
25th: 2,850 mi
Median: 43,000 mi
75th: 62,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
99 complaints
25th: 34,000 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 110,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
95 complaints
Median: 26,092 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 145
FL: 113
CA: 70
WA: 62
VA: 50
GA: 47
TN: 40
PA: 40
OR: 36
AL: 34
Who Files Complaints?
0.6%
Original Owners
99.4%
Second+ Owners
Ram 3500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (11)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Linkages
Campaign 18E096000 | 16/10/2018
The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
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
Connection
Campaign 19V021000 | 25/01/2019
A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbe
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 21V398000 | 27/05/2021
Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
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 Y36 owner notification
Equipment
Campaign 17V824000 | 21/12/2017
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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 online at www.kidd
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
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 24V896000 | 27/11/2024
A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
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 notification letters will be mailed at a f
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
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Vehicle Rankings
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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