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Engine & cooling

2018 Ram 3500 Engine problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2018 Ram 3500's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 2% of all its complaints, most recently on November 9, 2026. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

Timing cover oil leak. 89k miles

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11776894
Engine & coolingElectrical systemFire

The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal cracking sound and smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact inspected and used a fire extinguisher to slow the smoke and electrical sparks down. The contact did not notice any fire. The fire department arrived and disconnected the electrical cables to prevent further damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the failure...

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occurred while the contact was traveling on vacation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was later towed to an RV service center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 11748890
Electrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

Recall C4B with known issue and known remedy but "no parts available." Contacted RAM and with no parts they have no solution. You can rent an auto out of pocket and possibly be reimbursed. No option for buyback or solution. Recall came out 12/5/2024.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11707555
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

On May 3, 2025, while driving my 2018 RAM 2500 with approximately 46,000 miles, the check engine light came on and the engine immediately experienced a significant loss of power. The vehicle entered a limp mode condition, drastically reducing speed and acceleration. I was forced to pull into a nearby business as the truck could not maintain safe highway speeds, creating a traffic hazard and contributing to congestion. The vehicle was diagnosed by a repair facility as having a failed turbo actuator, a critical...

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component in regulating turbo boost and engine power delivery. After researching this issue, I have found numerous similar complaints and reports from other RAM truck owners on various owner forums and websites, indicating this may be a recurring and potentially widespread defect in these vehicles. Given that this failure occurred at relatively low mileage, caused a hazardous driving condition, and seems to be a commonly reported problem, I believe this issue warrants investigation by NHTSA for potential safety risks and manufacturer accountability. No injuries or property damage occurred, but the incident posed a significant safety risk to myself and other drivers.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11659873
Engine & cooling

The turbo actuator quit working at 103,000 miles. Loss of power. Took to Dodge dealer in Bartlesville Oklahoma to fix. I bought an extended warranty but it wouldn't cover the cost because I have a flatbed. Out $7,500. I noticed they recalled this part on the 2015 and they need to on the 2018.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11655691
Engine & cooling

I was pulling my 5th wheel trailer down the interstate, and my engine fan came on "hi". The suction from the fan caused the rubber fan shroud to become sucked into my fan and it cut it into large pieces. Those pieces were then violently thrown into the radiator and punctured it resulting in loss of all engine coolant. This is a known and documented manufacturer defect ranging from 2014 to 2018.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11586733
Engine & cooling

67A recall was not performed on my vehicle nor was I notified of it. I have had SCR catalyst issues and def issues and my vehicles constantly fails emissions. Ram and Cummins have stated that my vehicle is not included in the recall but I am having the same issues as the 67A recall.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11575111
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Since purchasing this truck brand new in 2018 we have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. Dodge Ram failed us every time. They failed to work with the dealer and ignored every attempt to find solutions. It started with vehicle loosing power on very dangerous locations a specially freeway located in curves in the middle of nowhere. It took years to fix that problem. Multiple times we drove from the shop being told that it was fixed and it wasn't. We would drive right back in after 15 min. It took over 3...

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years to get dodge and dealer to replace the transmission and all electrical issues. The other problem that we have had since buying this truck is the AC. Its been always a problem we are continuously trying to fix it and its been very hard. This entire summer my children have been suffering. We are driving in extreme heat with zero ac and Dodge Ram can not produce part for the dealership to fix it. What is really unfair that original dealer tried again to charge us for something that it waste the problem. We would have paid for it and would have been back within an hour. The new dealer Peterson Dodge understood the problem and was honest with us that there is a lot more then a filter. It was me who requested to get a second opinion and get a way from Larry H Miller Dodge.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11541431
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at high speeds, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the ABS warning light, electronic stability control warning light, and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated but remained illuminated. The contact stated that prior to driving over the bump, the cruise control operated as designed; however, after driving over the bump, the cruise control failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to...

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Auto Zone for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that several unknown codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, air · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11526636
BrakesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while towing a trailer full of horses, the traction control and the ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo and the ECU to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer: Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Arlington (9600 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225:...

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(877) 677-5782), where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo and the ECU to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11515536
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

I had a warning message to service my DEF system. I had the truck checked at a RAM dealer who reported i need a new exhaust system. They had me wait a few days while they ordered parts. The message never reappeared and the truck is running fine. I dont understand why the dealer wanted me to replace my exhaust system when it apparently doesn't need one. The 2018 truck has only 18K miles on it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11497708
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Unsafe and very hesitant acceleration nearly causing accidents. Long lag time between pressing the accelerator and engine responding to throttle input.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11469850
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,600.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11425116
Engine & cooling

My engine brake fails to function after prolonged towing such as climbing a mountain pass. When encountering grades on the other side the engine braking fails to function. The condition is only repeatable if towing therefore the dealer can not reproduce it. The condition doesn't set an engine code.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11384635
Fuel systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle loss motive power with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that vehicle jerked and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was moved onto the shoulder. The vehicle was restarted however, the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that metal fragments had penetrated the fuel line filter and into the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired and the fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11365431
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ram 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v818000 (equipment, engine and engine cooling) and 20v036000 (power train) however, the part to the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that scott robinson chrysler dodge jeep ram located at (20900 hawthorne blvd, torrance, ca 90503) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11317305
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ram 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 19v818000 (engine and engine cooling, equipment) and 20v036000 (power train). The contact called the (hayes chrysler dodge jeep ram lawrenceville dealer, located at,719 duluth hwy, lawrenceville, ga 30046) and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11306341
Engine & cooling

Nmhc catalyst sensor, nox aftertreatment sensor, and pm filter sensor can take over 1000 miles to reset after routine maintenance such as unplugging the battery. This can cause the vehicle to fail obdii based emissions testing. Depending on owners driving habits, this can result in large fines from multiple failed smog tests.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11282086
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ram 3500. The contact stated that the check engine indicator flashed and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to university chrysler dodge jeep ram of rome (2500 new calhoun hwy ne, rome, ga 30161, (706) 232-7793) and james o'neal chrysler dodge jeep ram (634 highway 27 north, bremen, ga 30110, (833) 767-0581) three times each, but neither could determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle owner inquired about a buyback option since there was no remedy. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the james o'neal dealer for over three months. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11217841

Ram 3500 engine complaints by year

3500 engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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