2018 Ram 1500

Showing the 2018 1500 Laramie. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

About every 2018 1500

The 2018 Ram 1500 has 664 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, most for the electrical system (159). Its combined mpg ranges from 14 to 23 mpg, with a 5-year fuel cost of $16,240 to $26,550 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 4 overall stars. Its 15 recall campaigns, covering air bags, engine cooling, fuel system and others, may apply to this car.

Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.

Fuel economy
14–23 mpgcombined; city 13–20, highway 18–27; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$16,240–$26,550U.S. average; Ohio $14,510–$23,970 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
4 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
15over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
664filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2018 1500. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 664 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 1500. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical system159436
Engine110033
Unknown or other92110
Steering88401
Fuel/propulsion system81011
Power train60304
Fuel system, diesel52000
Engine and engine cooling46010
Service brakes42506
Vehicle speed control31203
Suspension21010
Air bags1911116
16 more parts
Back over prevention17000
Structure15201
Visibility/wiper15101
Exterior lighting10010
Seat belts8101
Forward collision avoidance7000
Fuel system, gasoline7000
Seats7000
Equipment6000
Wheels6000
Electronic stability control (ESC)5000
Service brakes, hydraulic5000
Latches/locks/linkages4000
Tires3000
Visibility2000
Lane departure1000

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 20131,279
  2. 20141,773
  3. 20151,459
  4. 20161,549
  5. 2017882
  6. 2018664
  7. 20191,492
  8. 2020639
  9. 2021682
  10. 2022624
  11. 2023203
  12. 202476
  13. 2025361
  14. 2026101

Every 1500 year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2018 1500 over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 25V592000 · reported Sep 11, 2025 · 1,761 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 25V010000 · reported Jan 16, 2025 · 6,066 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 23V411000 · reported Jun 8, 2023 · 80,629 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, diesel: delivery

NHTSA campaign 22V406000 · reported Jun 9, 2022 · 138,645 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: side/window; Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 21V632000 · reported Aug 12, 2021 · 212,373 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine and engine cooling: engine

NHTSA campaign 20V475000 · reported Aug 13, 2020 · 58,016 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

NHTSA campaign 19V757000 · reported Oct 24, 2019 · 107,980 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate

NHTSA campaign 19V347000 · reported May 9, 2019 · 1,103,209 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: driveline

NHTSA campaign 19V324000 · reported Apr 25, 2019 · 10,160 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: axle assembly

NHTSA campaign 18V556000 · reported Aug 23, 2018 · 4,171 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 18V524000 · reported Aug 9, 2018 · 12,779 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Back over prevention: sensing system

NHTSA campaign 18V398000 · reported Jun 14, 2018 · 1,837 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: software; Electrical system: wiring; Vehicle speed control: cruise control

NHTSA campaign 18V332000 · reported May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles potentially affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 18V280000 · reported May 1, 2018 · 71 vehicles potentially affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 18V100000 · reported Feb 8, 2018 · 180,462 vehicles potentially affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 498 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2018 1500, the latest on Sep 30, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: equipment (165), electrical system (100), engine and engine cooling (61), structure (44), fuel system (43).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Recall query RQ25003
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Power trainJul 3, 2025Open
NHTSA's summary names recall 17V821000, 18V100000
NHTSA's record and documents
Engineering analysis EA23001
High pressure fuel pump failure · covers 4 makes
Fuel system, dieselMar 17, 2023Open
NHTSA's summary names recall 22V406000, 22E048000, 22V767000, 22E087000, 21V586000, 21V880000, 21E094000
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2018 1500.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Used ones for sale

See used 2018 Ram 1500s for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax

These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.

Specs

EPA class: standard pickup trucks. EPA greenhouse gas score: 1–4 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
1500
Rear-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic 8-spdDiesel20 / 27 / 23
1500
4-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic 8-spdDiesel19 / 27 / 22
1500
Rear-Wheel Drive
3.6 L, 6 cylAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline or E8517 / 25 / 20
1500
4-Wheel Drive
3.6 L, 6 cylAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline or E8516 / 23 / 19
1500
Rear-Wheel Drive
5.7 L, 8 cylAutomatic 8-spdMidgrade Gasoline15 / 22 / 17
1500
4-Wheel Drive
5.7 L, 8 cylAutomatic 8-spdMidgrade Gasoline15 / 21 / 17
1500
4-Wheel Drive
5.7 L, 8 cylAutomatic 6-spdMidgrade Gasoline13 / 18 / 14

Compare

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data