2018 Ram 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · CA · fire

My ram 1500 was parked over night and caught fire at around 2am when it has been turned off and locked for 17-18 hours since it was last on. The origin is inside the passenger side. Truck is completely stock and well maintained.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Engine · 142,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, his granddaughter smelled an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact looked out of the rearview mirror and saw heavy white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and had the occupants exit the vehicle. The contact checked under the hood as white smoke filled the engine compartment. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. Due to the failure, the contact initially had the vehicle towed to the residence before it was later towed to an independent mechanic. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the mechanic discovered coolant had leaked into the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler. The mechanic also discovered that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact was informed that any repair to the vehicle would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

Traveling on highway, heard noise coming from the engine. I was close to an off ramp and got off the highway. In the process of getting on the off ramp alarms went off. Turned on the flashers, came to a stop partially on the shoulder. Turned off the vehicle, turned it back on and it started right up. Turned to head into town to get some place safe to check the issue and all the alarms went off again. Put the car into neutral and coasted down the road to a local restaurant parking lot. Once safely parked, I opened the hood and my engine was on fire. I ran to the window of the restaurant to get a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire quickly. I contacted my insurance carrier and went through the process of repairing the truck. One body shop got it back up and running. Another shop fixed the cosmetic issues. However insurance would only fix the damage from the fire, not the cause of the fire. The truck has been throwing a code stating the EGR Cooler is not functioning properly. Stellantis sent out an independent investigator, however he wasn't allowed to look at the pictures that the body shop took after the incident. Since the truck was put back together and the cosmetic damage was repaired, he couldn't tell the cause of the fire. This EGR Cooler was supposed to be replaced during the recall (the federal safety agency Campaign # 19V757000), however I don't believe it was. Currently mine is cracked and supposedly the parts are on backorder. So there may need to be a recall to the recall.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Fuel system · MS · fire

On [XXX], at [XXX], my 2018 Dodge Ram Eco diesel engaged in fire. At this time, I called 911 and the Fire Department from which I obtained the fire report from respond and extinguish the fire. No police were ever dispatched. After exiting the vehicle, it seems like the vehicle was already on fire due to the progression of the fire already. I recently got the truck back from a local Dodge Dealership Cannon in Westpoint MS due to a high-pressure fuel pump recall. The truck also had another recall for failure of the EGR cooler. Which will result in possible fire according to their recall. Dodge motor company sent out an inspector who took numerous pictures and later determined by Dodge they were not at any negligence due to manufacturing of the vehicle, but unfortunately, I strongly disagree with their conclusion due to the numerous of incidents involving fire reported with the same particular make and model of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 21, 2022 · Engine · 66,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact's husband owned a 2018 Ram 1500. Two years ago, the contact received a notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. At the time, the dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. A year later, the dealer called that contact to inform her and that parts slowly coming to their dealer and that she had been placed on a waiting list for the recall repair. Recently, the contact stated that while her husband was driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal; two unknown warning lights also appeared on the instrument panel. As her husband pulled over, a white color smoke began to emit from the engine. Upon lifting up the engine's hood, her husband saw flames coming from under the engine. Her husband immediately called 911 and while on the phone with the dispatcher, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived ten minutes later and extinguished the fire. The contact was uncertain if a fire report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics where it was later deemed a total loss. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Nov 29, 2021 · Electrical · CA

The radio u- connect system is constantly malfunctioning, you cannot turn off screen, or sound. I glitches almost continually which has caused the screen to get super hot to the touch, which has caused screen separation because of the heat. The glitching is so distracting to the driver, that it is very dangerous to drive. I took to our local dealer who stated it was very common for this year. At the time of this visit my mileage had reached 36,700, which they state is 700 miles out of warranty. Also I had to disconnect my phone from the system because it would not let my call my family during an emergency. I literally had to turn off my truck and walk away from my vehicle to be able to call them. I travel alone often, and I’m unable to use my phone while in the truck. It will put my family on hold, and will fight me to keep it off hold. It also randomly calls, anyone in my phone book, them switches. There have been multiple times then the screen doesn’t allow me to change anything. I have went on the computer and there are plenty of similar experiences by others, shown in video. Their screen are also separated. I’m afraid my car will catch on fire. This is a very serious situation and I’m trying to find a resolution. My husband refuses to drive it long distances do to the distraction it presents. I do have videos documenting the distraction, and have included a picture that shows how the heat has causes the screen to separate, and the screen conflict. Ram is aware that this is an issue, and the danger that this presents. They need to address this immediately, this is very dangerous. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Filed May 18, 2021 · CA

When I was driving on 5/15/21, I smell something rubber burn. After I drove a while, I saw some white smoke coming out under hood passenger site around above right tire. I stop and check, found nothing. When it happen, I also can hear a whistle sound when accelerating. After get home, 5/16, I checked the bottom of car. I found a sensor hanging. On 5/17, I brought it to dealer to fix it. During the trip, the smoke comes out again.

Filed Mar 31, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 24,000 miles · OH · fire

Flashing dash lights TPMS warnings took truck in and was told nothing was wrong few months later truck caught on fire in my driveway,cause was unknown but adjuster said possible wiring harness, truck was parked and not running.*dt

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Engine · 4,100 miles · CA · fire

I want to report a safety concern. The concern is already aware by the manufacturer but I want to address the potential risk it put our family in. The recall is known as the vb! Or the federal safety agency # 19v‑757. We bought this truck to have a nice and reliable car to transport our 1 year old child in. Our last 2012 jeep grand cherokee left us stranded in the middle of the rode with our kid due to the computer telling all injectors to stay open and resulting in the motor hydro-locking itself. We took out financing to purchase and the great 2018 ecodiesel dodge ram. Just 2 months into owning this my wife lost all power going down the freeway. She reported mass amount of smoke coming from the hood and thank god she managed to merge over all lanes and to the best of her ability with no power got the truck off the highway by about 5 feet and then quickly turned off the motor and distanced her self from the truck. She called me in complete panic. This story would be much different if our child was strapped into the car seat on this particular drive. Since this occurrence the truck has been parked in over flow at my local dealership and continues to sit until fiat discovers a correct repair to the cracking egr. I warn you to all your family members that you haul down the road in your ecodiesel. This is a real concern! Dealership has confirmed this was a result of the vb1 recall. Their was no exterior damage to the truck as the motor was quickly shot off. The intake manifold needs to be replaced, and a new turbo is also needed. I am no sure of what other internal engine components are needed replacement.

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · OR

The egr unit in my truck is cracked. My dodge dealer states that there is a backorder on the parts and additionally I think they don't have a remedy and are calling that a "backorder". The coolant vapor that enters my truck is causing headaches and I am concerned my truck may catch on fire due to the documented facts regarding cracked egr units. The coolant vapor enters the truck cab while moving or parked and with and without the heater fan being activated.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Engine · 26,500 miles · MN · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2018 ram 1500. The contact connected an engine block heater to the vehicle during cold inclement weather conditions. The vehicle was parked in the contacts drive way, when an individual informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The contact discovered that the driver side of the vehicle was on fire. The contact entered the vehicle and attempted to reverse to move the vehicle away from his home. The vehicle failed to reverse so the contact attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher to no avail. The contact mentioned that a few days prior to the incident 4- 5 fuses blew out in the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the police that arrived. A police report was made. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the contact's insurance. The contact called lot lagers mankato (1815 madison ave, mankato, mn 56001 (507) 625-5641) where no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The fire was not in relation to any open recall. The failure mileage was 26,500.

Filed Mar 6, 2019 · Electrical, Suspension · 28,000 miles · MN · fire

Truck started on fire due to electrical problem (block heater failure or other electrical) *dt