The Lemon Index2018 Ram 1500.
The 2018 Ram 1500 is better than average by owner complaints: 424 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 78, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 14 to 23 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2009–2018 Ram 1500, 22.7M views. The 2018 is the same truck.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.5M views
RAM Key fob Not Working / Responding **Quick Fix**- 2016 Ram 1500MJ Altairy · 431K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Adjust/Aim Headlights on a 2009–2018 Ram 1500/2500/3500 (DIY)LethalGarage · 484K views · 5 videos - Steering & suspension1.0M views
How to Install a 2012-2014 Ram 1500 4-Inch Suspension Lift KitRough Country · 469K views · 8 videos - Oil changes & service659K views
100k Mile Service Ram 1500 Truck 4th Gen 2008-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 579K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4624K views
How to Replace Front CV Axles 2011-2018 Ram 15001A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 357K views · 5 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers613K views
How to Replace The Lifters and Camshaft on a 2013 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi (Every Step in 30 Minutes!)Jack Fletcher · 613K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors498K views
How to Replace Camshaft Sensor 2011-2018 RAM 1500TRQ · 219K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank415K views
RAM 1500 Gas Tank REMOVAL - DIY - 2009-2018BoostedMotorsports · 361K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ram Truck 1500 4th Generation 2009-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 2.6M views
2010 Ram 1500 250,000 miles - reliability reviewReagan Hughes · 91K views
Top 5 Problems Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 2003-2009 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 71K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 4,075 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ram 1500 year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 80K miles on the car (918 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 8K–58K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 8K–59K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 20K–59K miles
Recalls 11
- airbags 2025
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- airbags 2025
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- brakes 2024
The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Show all 11 recalls
- wheels 2021
Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
- latches/locks/linkages 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.
- steering 2019
The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.
- steering 2018
Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle.
- back over prevention 2018
The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up.
- electrical 2018
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position.
- equipment 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 607 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hands Free Module - CTM ?
- Integrated Center Stack If vehicle is found within 50 mile radius of the Detroit Metro area…
- 2014 KL 9-Speed service transaxle with 2015 common hardware This 9-speed transaxle must be…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenPost recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure2025
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
- ClosedLoss of brake performance2022–2025
- ClosedSteering loss due to linkage separation2019–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 2500 Mega PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ram 2500 Mega PU/EC 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 2500 Regular PU/RC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ram 2500 Regular PU/RC 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 2500 Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 2500 Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–5250 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
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
2018 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 11151363
More owner reports
Dodge welded lock nut on steering suspension welder was not certified. Asking for new updated tyroid steering piece for proper fix
NHTSA complaint 11287669
Flashing dash lights tpms warnings took truck in and was told nothing was wrong few months later truck caught on fire in my driveway,cause was unknown but adjuster said possible wiring harness, truck was parked and not running.
NHTSA complaint 11319817
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Ram 1500 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 78; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2018 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), steering (14%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 1500 have?
11 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ram 1500 get?
14 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Ram 1500 safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 23,000 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 48,000 miles, from 918 complaints.
Does the 2018 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $5250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Ram 1500 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works