Transport CanadaCritical
At a glance
This page covers 19 recalls, 634 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Ram 1500.
14–22 mpg combined
10.7–16.8 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints filed on the 2018 Ram 1500 spread across several systems, with the electrical system drawing the most reports, followed closely by the engine and steering. On the electrical side, owners describe alternator failures, battery drain, and various module-related issues that can leave the truck without power unexpectedly. Engine complaints cover a range of symptoms including rough running, stalling, and fuel system irregularities, a recurring thread involves the fuel tank's rollover valve causing gas pumps to repeatedly click off during refueling. Steering complaints are notable for their volume: owners frequently describe the electric power steering cutting out or seizing, sometimes mid-turn, with some reports noting a screeching noise from the steering column during the event. Several owners connect the steering loss to a preceding electrical failure, such as an alternator going out, which then takes the power steering with it.
634
Total Complaints
25
Crash-Related
8
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 RAM 1500 has 19 recalls, the most serious being defective side curtain airbag inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, raising the risk of serious injury to occupants.
Several recalls affect the drivetrain. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld and can fracture and detach, becoming a road hazard or causing sudden loss of drive power. The rear differential may have been underfilled with oil, which can cause it to fail and either cut drive power or lock the rear wheels. Two transmission recalls cover column-shifter-equipped trucks: a sticky brake-transmission shift interlock can allow the gear selector to move without the brake pedal pressed, and an incorrect park lock rod may prevent the transmission from fully engaging park, both creating rollaway risks.
Trucks with the 3.0L diesel engine face three additional issues: a crankshaft position sensor tone wheel can delaminate and cause the engine to stall without warning; a high-pressure fuel pump can shed internal debris into the fuel system and starve the engine of fuel; and the EGR cooler can crack, allowing vaporized coolant into the intake manifold where it can ignite and start a fire.
On the electrical and software side, a wiring harness fault can stall the vehicle, and a cruise control software defect can prevent the system from deactivating, causing the truck to hold or increase speed against the driver's input. The instrument cluster can fail entirely, leaving the driver without any system readouts, and the backup camera can lose its image while reversing.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The side curtain airbag inflators may be defective and rupture unexpectedly, sending metal fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
FCA Canada will notify you to visit a dealership, where technicians will replace the affected side curtain airbag inflators.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right and/or left side curtain air bags may rupture during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected side curtain air bag(s) at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right and left side curtain air bags may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected side curtain air bags at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization of fuel injector timing and camshaft operation, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software to restore proper engine operation at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can fail and release debris into the fuel system, which may block fuel flow and cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side air bag inflatable curtain inflator may have a detached end cap or a ruptured sidewall, potentially preventing proper air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side air bag inflatable curtain assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization between fuel injector timing and camshaft timing, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software to read the camshaft position signal if the crankshaft position signal is lost, maintaining engine operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The EGR cooler can crack, allowing hot vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may ignite inside the intake manifold.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it if needed. Both services are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster may stop working, leaving you unable to see important gauges and displays.
What the fix does
A dealer will replace the instrument cluster. You'll receive a mailed notification with instructions to schedule an appointment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture, causing the power locking tailgate to unlatch and open while the truck is driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the tailgate latch at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear driveshaft may have an improper weld that could break, causing the driveshaft to detach and lose rear-wheel drive power.
What the fix does
Replace the rear driveshaft with a properly welded one at an authorized dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear driveshaft's weld joining the tube and tube yoke may not be fully fused, which can cause the weld to crack or the driveshaft to break.
What the fix does
Dealers replace the rear driveshaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear differential may not have enough oil, which could cause it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the rear axle oil level and replace any axles with insufficient oil at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle may not have been filled with enough oil, causing excessive noise, premature failure, and loss of power to drive the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the rear axle oil level and replace the rear axle if oil is missing or low.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A voltage regulator chip in the powertrain control module may fail, causing the engine to stall or not start.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the powertrain control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup camera display may go blank while reversing, leaving drivers without a rear-view image.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview mirror at no cost to restore camera function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission may have an incorrect park lock rod installed, which could affect the transmission's park function.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the correct park lock rod at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Holding the brake pedal down for extended periods while the engine is running and the vehicle is in PARK can cause the brake transmission shift interlock pin to stick open. This allows the transmission to shift out of PARK into any gear without pressing the brake pedal or turning on the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the body control module software, test the shift interlock system, and replace the solenoid if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
