NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The right and/or left side curtain air bags may rupture during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
This page covers 10 recalls and 758 owner complaints for the 2018 Ram 3500.
Brake complaints dominate what 2018 Ram 3500 owners report, making up the largest share of filings by a wide margin. The most common description is a soft or spongy brake pedal, sometimes requiring noticeably more foot pressure than usual to bring the truck to a stop. This symptom shows up across multiple reports at various speeds and driving conditions. Owners also frequently report ABS and traction control warning lights illuminating on the instrument panel, often accompanied by an audible chime that repeats at regular intervals. That warning pattern tends to disable cruise control as well, which owners note happens without warning while driving. Electrical system complaints trail behind brakes in volume but represent the third most-reported category, though the specific symptoms described there are less concentrated around a single recurring issue than the brake pedal and warning light patterns.
758
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 RAM 3500 has 10 recalls, the most serious being curtain airbag inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, and a steering drag link that can separate and cause a complete loss of steering control.
Two of those recalls involve the curtain airbags, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue. On the steering side, a jam nut on the outboard steering linkage can loosen and allow the drag link to pull apart. There is also a transmission concern: on column-shifter models, holding the brake pedal for an extended period can cause the shift interlock pin to stick, allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of park without pressing the brake, raising the risk of a rollaway. Wheel studs can break and a wheel can separate entirely if lug nuts are overtightened based on incorrect torque specifications in the owner's manual. The anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control can all fail together if the hydraulic control unit fails. Cruise control software on certain vehicles may fail to disengage when the driver attempts to deactivate it. On the equipment side, some trucks with a power-locking tailgate can have the tailgate open unexpectedly while driving, and fire extinguishers on some vehicles may not discharge properly. The backup camera can lose its image while reversing.
At a glance
What can fail
The right and/or left side curtain air bags may rupture during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
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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 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 hydraulic control unit that manages braking systems may fail, disabling anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and traction control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the hydraulic control unit or its motor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual contains incorrect torque specifications for wheel lug nuts. Following these specs can cause over-tightening, which may break wheel studs and lead to wheel separation.
What the fix does
Dealers will correct the torque specifications in the owner's manual and service documents, and inspect and replace wheel studs as needed at no charge.
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 nut securing the outboard steering linkage may loosen, causing the drag link to separate from one end.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering linkage nut tightness and either replace the drag link assembly or weld the nut to the adjuster sleeve.
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
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.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to spray, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may separate from the valve assembly with enough force to cause injury and make the extinguisher unusable.
What the fix does
Chrysler will provide a replacement fire extinguisher at no cost. Contact Kidde or Chrysler to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.