The 2018 Ram 1500 is associated with 654 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 15 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Electrical System, accounting for 67 reports (10% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 14 to 23 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 654 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 15 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Electrical System (67 / 10%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 25 crash / 8 fire / 14 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 14–23 MPG (7 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| 1500 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| 1500 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| 1500 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| 1500 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 22 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,150 / yr |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,150 / yr |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 13 MPG | 18 MPG | 14 MPG | — | $5,000 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| Regular PU/RC 2WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| Regular PU/RC 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
| Crew PU/CC 2WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| Quad PU/EC 2WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| Crew PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
| Quad PU/EC 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Ram 1500 models.
View complete 2018 Ram 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Ram 1500 problems & component breakdown (112 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2018 Ram 1500 recalls & campaign history (15 campaigns) →