10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,436 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ram 2500 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2018 Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

May 242024

2500

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated the vehicle was parked overnight on the street and unoccupied when a loud bang was heard and it was discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The fire department and police department arrived to inspect the vehicle where it was noticed the fire started on the passenger side of the engine however the exact origin could not be determined. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was consumed by the flames and there were only burnt framing remains of the vehicle. A police report was filed but the case number was not available. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle remained in the contact's possession. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

- Thomaston, CT, USA

problem #22

Mar 202024

2500

  • miles
On 20 Mar 2024, the vehicle throttle went to full throttle and was stuck in full throttle while on the highway. After kicking the accelerator pedal multiple times the throttle came out of full and then entered limp mode with the message -??service electronic throttle control-?? displayed. The accelerator pedal did not stick on anything and the truck actively pulled the accelerator pedal away from my foot and completely into the firewall. Luckily the brakes were strong enough to control the acceleration but this occurred in a packed part of the highway with few options to pull to the side of the road. After kicking the pedal more and cycling the power to the truck, it exited limp mode and normal operation was restored. Afterward the truck displayed no codes so the mechanic could not verify the problem. This has occurred 3 times now.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #21

Feb 092024

2500

  • miles
Loss of power/turbo. I was hauling a heavy load when I had a loss of turbo power on highway. Causing my truck to loose mph up a hill and almost getting struck by a semi vdd into my trailer. Check engine light is on and turbo don-??t kick on anymore. I haven-??t had the money to fix the problem but I-??m certain it-??s the turbo/turbo actuator.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #20

Feb 212024

2500

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while towing a trailer at 55 MPH, the turbo actuator failed to operate with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered Technical Service Bulletin: 09-005-22 which linked the failure to the turbo actuator kit. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer to have a diagnostic test performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Salamanca, NY, USA

problem #19

Feb 212024

2500

  • miles
when hauling my 20' enclosed trailer with a 10k lbs load my 2018 ram 2500 turbo actuator went out. my exhaust brake is inoperable due to the turbo actuator not functioning properly. the truck does not build boost as it should. there is a service bulletin for 2015 ram 2500 with 6,7 cummins in them. bulletin number [XXX]. this bulletin covers the exact part that went out on my truck while hauling. the part numbers from 2015 to 2018 model years did not change. i have attempted to reach out to ram about this issue. they state that the part is different even though the dealership says it is the same. here is a link to said defective part. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Salamanca, NY, USA

problem #18

Jan 032024

2500

  • miles
The truck developed and engine tick. They got progressively worse, and it felt like the engine was misfiring and made the speed of the truck inconsistent when I tried to accelerate in decelerate. The mechanic told me the engine ticks were definitely coming from the lifters and we had it repaired. This was not cheap. The ticking went on for about one month before I had it repaired. I have attached the invoice.

- Boggstown, IN, USA

problem #17

Apr 012023

2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has 62953 miles. Ram service dept says the vehicle needs new engine, pcm, hydro boost assembly, hydraulic control unit, shifter assembly. They repaired the drag link in 2019. This did not solve issue. The tires were being worn rapidly. Ram said they would replace the drag link. Vehicle is drivable but not safe.

- Americus, GA, USA

problem #16

Feb 092023

2500

  • miles
Multiple reports from 6.7 Ram Cummins owners experiencing the failure of the grid heater. The grid heater failure leads to the destruction of the engine. Ram uses a grid heater to warm up the vehicle during cold temperatures for starting. During this process, it has been reported, that the not of the grid heater melts off and enters the engine causing catastrophic damage.

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #15

Dec 012020

2500

  • miles
First time brake system hydraulic control unit failed was at 17,000 miles, now have 76,000 and it has failed again. Abs system notification goes off and on constantly. Turbo actuator has failed at 76,000 miles. Check engine light and associated ecu codes are flashing. Rear view camera on tailgate goes out intermittently.

- Liberty , MS, USA

problem #14

Mar 152021

2500

  • miles
The brake anti lock warning light comes on intermittently causing cruise control to be turned off.Yes it can be inspected.I feel this is a safety issue when driving at highway speeds.

- Gallatin, TN, USA

problem #13

Nov 012022

2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Diesel truck computer system shuts down truck for minor def system error code to 5mph within 85 miles to get to a dealer to reset computer code. This will cause deaths from truck not going any faster than 5mph on freeway. Just because the def system sees an error and might cause a bit more exhaust, to shut down your truck in the middle of nowhere causing traffic nightmares and deaths is the most stupid rule the EPA and mfgs follow. Epa and mfg needs new computer programming on all diesel trucks that have this. If anything, make the derate to 65 mph for 500 miles, far enough so folks can get home safely.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #12

Sep 212022

2500

  • miles
Def warning light comes on for no reason and derates your speed to 5mph while traveling on interstate pulling trailer. You have only 85 miles to get to a dealer to erase codes. This is a very unsafe computer programing setting that the EPA states must be done. Going 5mph while on interstate pulling trailer will cause numerous deaths and accidents. 85 miles in nothing when your out in the middle of nowhere.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #11

Nov 022022

2500

  • miles
The engine oil pressure light suddenly comes on and the pressure drops causing the engine to turn off. Vehicle turns off in the middle of road while driving can cause serious accidents and injuries.

- Fuquay Varina , NC, USA

problem #10

Jan 012022

2500

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after two weeks of not driving the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact jumpstarted the vehicle and made an appointment with the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the battery. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on two other occasions; however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

- Red Hook, NY, USA

problem #9

Aug 132022

2500

  • miles
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and other exhaust components. When the vehicle is in a "Regeneration" cycle and the vehicle comes to a stop, it dies about 70% of the time. Causing traffic back ups and nearly a reared collision from another driver. This issue started at 112000 miles and does it 3-6 times daily. It's been in and out of the dealer (Young Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram Richard Lindema Shop# 385-332-3978 Cell# 801-589-8943) totaling 6 weeks and $22,000 in repair bills and its still not resolved. I see on diesel forums this is a known problem that Dodge doesn't know how to fix.

- Clearfield, UT, USA

problem #8

May 202022

2500

  • miles
The check engine light came on and vehicle gave a 196 miles to reduced power and shutdown warning. Vehicle was taken to dealer and diagnosis was that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid gauge and pump assembly had failed. Repairs were made at dealer. Failure of this part can put the driver in a situation of reduced power and danger while driving on highway.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #7

May 102022

2500

  • miles
While operating the vehicle on cruise control the electronic throttle control failed and the vehicle went to full throttle. Stepping on the gas did not fix the problem. Luckily the brake lamp were applied and the brakes slowed the vehicle to a stop eventually while the engine was still at full throttle. Once the vehicle was safely on the side of the road, it was turned off. The vehicle had a warning that said to service the electronic throttle control. The vehicle was started again to get it onto a tow truck once it arrived, and the vehicle still went to full throttle. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealership. Once at the dealership the vehicle was started again to get it off of the tow truck. The engine operated normally at that point. The throttle failing to full throttle is a huge safety issue. Luckily there was minimal traffic on the high way. The vehicle took a very long to to stop. Selecting Neutral could have helped but everything happened very quickly and caught the operator off guard.

- Edwards, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 232021

2500

  • miles
The DEF Pump responsible for controlling the flow of Diesel Exhaust Fluid to reduce exhaust emissions prematurely fails (in my case, it was at 61,000 miles) which forces the truck into "limp mode" limiting the speed of the vehicle to 5 miles per hour. Additionally, once this part fails, the truck cannot properly dispense DEF to the exhaust to reduce diesel emissions as designed and as mandated by the EPA. Manufacturer acknowledged failure of the part and began redesign and remanufacture of the DEF Pump prior to the Covid pandemic. Replacement part availability is sporadic at best. Further, repair of this component has not been covered by Federal emissions warranty or any extended warranty of the drivetrain, thus forcing a several thousand dollar repair on the consumer. Online search reveals thousands of other Ram truck owners who are experiencing the same issues as described here My vehicle has been appropriately maintained and yet this occurred without warning of the imminent failure. Once the failure occurs, the vehicle poses significant risk to the environment due to inappropriate emissions, and places an undo financial burden on the consumer for a known manufacturing defect. I brought my vehicle to an authorized Ram dealership who diagnosed the issue as described above and then repaired the vehicle at a cost to me of approximately $ $2,100.

- Des Allemands, LA, USA

problem #5

Jul 012021

2500

  • miles
truck engine failure at 120,920 miles. 6.4 hemi in a 2500 ram truck. this is the 3rd truck that has engine failure at approx 120,000 miles and reports of bearing metal in the block. seems that there is an issue with the engine parts that are not lasting and resulting in engine failure while in operation. loss of power and power.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #4

Jan 152021

2500

  • 26,018 miles
Truck slides after being parked. It has slid anywhere from 1 foot while I stood there watching. To several feet where I had to jump back into the truck to stop it. And over 14 one night from the time I parked to when I came out the next morning. Does not fully accelerate thru a turn.,tough to turns sometimes. In same turns

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?