2018 RAM 3500 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2018 RAM 3500 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,118
- 1,006 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- 488 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 10
- see below
- Reported harm
- 20 reported crashes · 10 injuries · 1 death · 3 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#321
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs RAM median
+808
median 310 across 37 RAM records
Vs 2016-2020
+831
median 288 complaints in 538 records
Top component share
44%
Service Brakes: 488 complaints
What owners report fails — 2018 RAM 3500
- SERVICE BRAKES 488
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 129
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 110
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 100
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING 40
10 recalls on record for the 2018 RAM 3500
- NHTSA 24V896000 · 2025 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACT A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 25V592000 · 2025 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- NHTSA 25V010000 · 2025 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- NHTSA 21V398000 · 2021 · WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
- NHTSA 19V021000 · 2019 · STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2018 RAM 3500
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2018 RAM 3500 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 RAM 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 1,118 consumer complaints on record for the 2018 RAM 3500 and 10 recalls. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (488 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2018 RAM 3500 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 RAM 3500?
Owners most often report problems with: service brakes (488), electrical system (129), service brakes, hydraulic (110), vehicle speed control (100). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2018 RAM 3500?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.