2018 RAM 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2018 RAM 1500, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 26,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “exhaust manifold” (7% of reports).
- 110engine complaints
- 26,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 66%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Exhaust manifold: mentioned in 8 of 110 complaints (7%)
- High pressure fuel: mentioned in 7 of 110 complaints (6%)
- Engine cooling: mentioned in 6 of 110 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 31 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 110 complaints, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 12 | 12% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 75 | 21% | 3,600 |
| 2024 1500 | 23 | 30% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 46 | 23% | 1,496 |
| 2022 1500 | 248 | 40% | 39,950 |
| 2021 1500 | 276 | 40% | 15,319 |
| 2020 1500 | 155 | 24% | 31,124 |
| 2019 1500 | 232 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 110 | 17% | 26,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 156 | 18% | 39,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 291 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 335 | 23% | 68,221 |
| 2014 1500 | 304 | 17% | 75,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 123 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 5 | 14% | 80,454 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
XXX, [XXX] East Bound ~ 9:30 PM, , pulling a tandem-axle boat and trailer ~ 6000# GVW , the truck slowed suddenly, in traffic ~ 62 MPH. I contacted CJDR dealers in [XXX], and [XXX], and both stated there was no recall, warranty, or goodwill repair, available for my truck. [XXX] told me the same…
As we were driving along the freeway at highway speeds, the dash lights completely cut out on my ram 1500 2019. At first, this seemed to simply affect the visibility of the central console, speed controls, light indicators, etc. But then as we continued on and proceeded to exit the freeway, the…
EGR cooler failed while driving on May 29, 2026. Towed truck to Greenville Chrysler that day. EGR cooler, melted intake manifold and melted wiring harness are being replaced. Service Advisor says "Safety Recall VB1 / NHTSA 19V-757 Diesel EGR Cooler" was accomplished in 2021. Per the Recall, the EGR…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 RAM 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 110 owner complaints about engine for the 2018 RAM 1500 (17% of the 664 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 RAM 1500 engine?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 26,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2018 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “exhaust manifold”, in 8 of 110 complaints, followed by “high pressure fuel” (7).
Other 2018 RAM 1500 problems
See all 2018 RAM 1500 problems or engine problems across all 1500 years.