Model year report

2018 RAM 1500: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2018 RAM 1500

On the 2018 RAM 1500, the failure owners report most often is infotainment screen failure, and the reports cluster around 45,000 miles. The earliest to appear is air suspension failure, reported by a median of 10,000 miles. Overall it scores 77 out of 100, severe risk for a 2018.

Severe risk for a 2018 — 92nd riskiest of the 251 2018 vehicles we can rate. 897 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

What owners report breaking

Owners have reported 59 named failure modes on the 2018 RAM 1500, and the three most-reported carry 32% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Infotainment screen failure leads with 117 reports, about 1.6 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 39k to 55,000 miles.

Other engine problem follows with 95 reports, usually reported between 14k to 75,000 miles. 2 of those reports mention a fire.

Other fuel system problem follows with 72 reports, usually reported between 12k to 65,000 miles.

By system, the reports fall mostly into infotainment (157), fuel (141) and engine (127).

The mileage the reports cluster at

278 of the reports on the 2018 RAM 1500 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 28,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 67% by 50,000 miles, 90% by 100,000 miles and 97% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 2 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 23% of the dated reports.

56% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.

In the order they tend to show up: air suspension failure around 11k, other powertrain problem around 13k, other body or interior problem around 15k and other electrical problem around 18k.

Median

Infotainment screen failure

47k
Other engine problem

38k
Other fuel system problem

25k
Other electrical problem

18k
Fuel pump failure

70k
Other steering problem

72k
Other powertrain problem

13k
Backup camera failure

22k
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure

14k
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure

45k
ABS module or sensor failure

89k
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure

38k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 59. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 28k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 2 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

How bad it is when it goes

Across the named modes, 26 mention a crash, 11 a fire and 16 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.69, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: infotainment screen failure at $400–$2,600, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other fuel system problem at $300–$2,200 and other electrical problem at $250–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

22% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Infotainment screen failure	infotainment	117	12	39k	47k	56k	1.6	$400–$2,600	Low
Other engine problem	engine	95	31	14k	38k	76k	1.3	$300–$4,000	High
Other fuel system problem	fuel	72	16	12k	25k	65k	1.0	$300–$2,200	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	56	18	4k	18k	51k	0.8	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Fuel pump failure	fuel	42	18	18k	70k	82k	0.6	$600–$2,600	High
Other steering problem	steering	40	9	45k	72k	115k	0.5	$350–$2,400	High
Other powertrain problem	transmission	36	12	3k	13k	58k	0.5	$400–$4,500	High
Backup camera failure	infotainment	33	11	6k	22k	32k	0.5	$250–$1,200	Moderate
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	27	6	—	14k	—	0.4	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	22	2	—	45k	—	0.3	$700–$3,000	High
ABS module or sensor failure	brakes	21	4	—	89k	—	0.3	$500–$2,400	High
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	21	5	—	38k	—	0.3	$700–$2,600	High
Other brake problem	brakes	18	6	—	23k	—	0.2	$300–$1,800	High
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	16	8	18k	20k	122k	0.2	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin	emissions	16	3	—	98k	—	0.2	$250–$2,000	High
Loss of power steering	steering	14	2	—	75k	—	0.2	$600–$2,800	Critical
Other body or interior problem	body	13	9	3k	15k	40k	0.2	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Cruise control failure	adas	12	4	—	28k	—	0.2	$200–$1,400	High
DPF, EGR or DEF system failure	emissions	11	2	—	48k	—	0.2	$800–$5,000	High
Other speed control problem	adas	11	6	—	22k	—	0.2	$250–$2,000	Critical
Air suspension failure	suspension	9	8	6k	11k	16k	0.1	$900–$4,500	High
Other driver assistance problem	adas	9	6	—	29k	—	0.1	$250–$1,800	High
Other visibility problem	glass	9	5	—	82k	—	0.1	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Complete engine failure or seizure	engine	8	1	—	11k	—	0.1	$4,500–$12,000	Critical
Overheating	cooling	8	3	—	95k	—	0.1	$400–$3,500	High
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	8	5	—	48k	—	0.1	$200–$900	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	8	4	—	14k	—	0.1	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	7	2	—	24k	—	0.1	$400–$3,500	High
Wheel bearing or hub failure	drivetrain	6	3	—	18	—	0.1	$350–$1,200	Moderate
Parking brake failure	brakes	6	3	—	25k	—	0.1	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	6	4	—	55k	—	0.1	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	6	4	—	7k	—	0.1	$200–$1,500	High
Other lighting problem	lighting	6	2	—	25k	—	0.1	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	5	1	—	5k	—	0.1	$350–$1,900	High
Differential or transfer case failure	drivetrain	5	1	—	65k	—	0.1	$900–$4,200	High
Alternator or charging system failure	electrical	5	0	—	—	—	0.1	$450–$1,600	High
Engine sensor failure	electrical	5	4	—	70k	—	0.1	$180–$900	Moderate
Stalling while driving	engine	4	0	—	—	—	0.1	$300–$2,500	Critical
Audio or connectivity failure	infotainment	4	0	—	—	—	0.1	$150–$900	Low
Software fault or failed update	software	4	1	—	25	—	0.1	$0–$600	Moderate
CV axle or driveshaft failure	drivetrain	3	2	—	24k	—	0.0	$450–$2,200	High
Instrument cluster or gauge failure	infotainment	3	2	—	68k	—	0.0	$350–$1,400	Moderate
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	3	1	—	39k	—	0.0	$300–$1,600	High
Tail light, brake light or signal failure	lighting	3	2	—	26k	—	0.0	$100–$900	Moderate
Misfire or rough idle	engine	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$250–$1,600	Moderate
Engine knock or bearing noise	engine	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$2,500–$9,000	High
Water pump failure	cooling	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$500–$2,200	High
Transmission will not engage a gear	transmission	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$1,500–$6,000	Critical
Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure	transmission	2	2	—	37k	—	0.0	$250–$1,400	High
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	2	2	—	12k	—	0.0	$0–$0	Critical
Tire blowout or tread separation	wheels	2	2	—	16k	—	0.0	$200–$1,500	Critical
Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure	body	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$250–$1,500	Moderate
Blower motor or climate control failure	hvac	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	$250–$1,200	Moderate
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	1	1	—	43k	—	0.0	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Lane keep or steering assist fault	adas	1	1	—	38k	—	0.0	$200–$1,600	High
Parking sensor failure	adas	1	1	—	150	—	0.0	$180–$900	Low
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure	suspension	1	1	—	24k	—	0.0	$400–$2,200	High
Air conditioning failure	hvac	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$400–$2,800	Moderate
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	1	1	—	50k	—	0.0	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	40	19	6k	16k	44k	0.5	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2018 RAM 1500 draws about 12 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 92nd percentile of complaint rates among 2018 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 72,964 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2018 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Infotainment screen failure

The navigation and control systems associated with the uconnect system- system is in reboot status for the last 3 days - 1000's of 2018 vehicles affected - rebooting every 60 seconds and loss of navigation, back up camera and other functions. No fix so far from chrysler - affecting jeep, dodge, and ram

1,500 miles NHTSA complaint 1447497 filed 2018-02-13

My vehicle is out of service due to a defect in the 8.4 uconnect radio. The radio (head unit) has misfunctioned and drains the battery until dead. An attempt to flash the head unit by the dealer was attempted but failed. This was done on june 17th. The dealer then put an order in for a new radio to fca. It has now been 2 weeks and 2 days since the vehicle was brought in for service. The vehicle is inoperable with no eta given by fca for the new radio. This problem can leave owners of ram 1500 trucks stranded with wifi , assist and sos functions unavailable in a truck that has no power. Fca does not have a recall in place and the dealer has indicated they have had to tow vehicles in. This is a known problem on past and present models ' a recall should be issued to make owners aware of this problem as the parts are not readily available. It is unknown when I will have an operational vehicle.

17,800 miles NHTSA complaint 1674089 filed 2020-07-03

Recalls on the 2018 model year

NHTSA has issued 15 recall campaigns covering the 2018 RAM 1500, affecting an estimated 224,860 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator, engine and engine cooling and fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.

25V592000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

1,761 vehicles 2025-09-11

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: 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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 18, 2025.

25V010000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

6,066 vehicles 2025-01-16

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: 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.

23V411000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

80,629 vehicles 2023-06-08

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

22V406000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

138,645 vehicles 2022-06-09

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Consequence: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.

21V632000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

212,373 vehicles 2021-08-12

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.

20V475000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

58,016 vehicles 2020-08-13

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.

19V757000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

107,980 vehicles 2019-10-24

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Consequence: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.

19V347000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

1,103,209 vehicles 2019-05-09

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.

19V324000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

10,160 vehicles 2019-04-25

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.
Consequence: A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.

18V556000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

4,171 vehicles 2018-08-23

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.
Consequence: If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U88.

18V524000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

12,779 vehicles 2018-08-09

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

18V398000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

1,837 vehicles 2018-06-14

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2018 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2018 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Better and worse years of the same car

Severe risk for a 2018 — 92nd riskiest of the 251 2018 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.

Across the 15 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2009 comes out best at 62 and 2019 worst at 79, with 2018 itself at 77.

If the model year is negotiable, 2009, 2026, 2024 and 2023 score lower than 2018 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2018–2022 generation specifically, 2022 is the strongest year at 74 and 2019 the weakest at 79.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2018-2022 generation, 2022 RAM 1500 scores best at 74 and 2019 RAM 1500 worst at 79.

What the numbers say to check

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other powertrain problem from about 3k, other body or interior problem from about 3k, other electrical problem from about 4k and backup camera failure from about 6k.

On a 2018 RAM 1500 with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other powertrain problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.

Where these figures stop being useful

897 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 897 reports, 278 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 31% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2018 RAM 1500?

The most-reported failures are infotainment screen failure (117 reports, median 45,000 miles), other engine problem (95 reports, median 37,500 miles) and other fuel system problem (72 reports, median 25,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2018 RAM 1500 problems start?

Air suspension failure is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 10,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 28,000 miles.

Is the 2018 RAM 1500 reliable?

It scores 77 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 92nd riskiest of the 251 2018 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2018 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the RAM 1500 is best?

Within the 2018–2022 generation, 2022 scores best at 74 out of 100 and 2019 worst at 79. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 20 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed