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2018 Ram 1500 engine problems

153 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 49,418.

owner complaints
153
of this car's complaints
23%
typical mileage
49,418
crashes
0
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system
    3
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Engine: crank/camshaft position sensor
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ram 1500 engine problems in other years

2009201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ram 1500 engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Loss of power 36Stalling 34Check engine light 30Engine failure 20Knocking 16Overheating 10Won't start 8

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported June 8, 2023 · 80,629 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 23V411000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported August 13, 2020 · 58,016 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 20V475000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)Reported October 24, 2019 · 107,980 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 19V757000 · Recall details

What 2018 Ram 1500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). After retrieving the vehicle, while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the injector was damaged and the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be repaired. The contact stated that the technician had botched the repair. The dealer was no longer returning calls. The contact was several states away from the residence. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and opened a case for reimbursement. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

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, when I called. I took the truck to an independent diesel shop, in [XXX] to just go ahead and have a CPS (crankshaft position sensor, and tone wheel) put in. He said both the CJDR dealers and Stellantis told him the truck was “ineligible” for the repair parts kit – he was unable to obtain one. They claimed *my* truck did not have the faulty tone wheel assembly. In the mean time, the code he documented P0335, did not return, and I continued to drive the truck, until XXX, 11:00PM I-4 [XXX] about the 106MM, the truck did the same thing, same trailer, same danger. After restart, limping home, OBDii code P0335, was present. On XXX, I took the truck for diagnosis, to New Smyrna CJDR, and they completed replacement of the CPS and tone wheel, today, XXX. The repair cost me $3,470.98 on Invoice Number XXX. I purchased the truck from New Smyrna CJDR, three months after it was built, which was two days before the production line started using the new design of CPS tone wheel. Stellantis knew, and the dealer knew. Still, they sent me off down the road. I would like to be reimbursed. Please find invoices from New Smyrna CJDR and Reed’s Garage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · UT

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 entire vehicle shut down and lost total power steering speed control and power braking. I had to rapidly exit and take at safety on side of the road before completely losing control. Previously we had lost power to the video control display but it had never lost power before. We had also previously experienced where we were on the freeway at freeway speeds and the cruise control just rapidly shut down the same time as the video console shut down and the vehicle proceeded to slow rapidly and unexpectedly. After the incidence of losing cruise control and losing the central display, we took the vehicle multiple times to a ram authorized dealer service center in salt lake City as well as an independent shop. Neither could replicate and the issue as it is severely intermittent. We continued to use the vehicle given their clean bill of health. However, this incident showed a new level of severe risk in driving the vehicle. There were no warning indicators or flashing lights as the console completely failed in the middle of the driver screen. By several mechanical shops unable to replicate the issue. We were able to start recording upon the demonstration of the latest incident and have a video of this happening but too large to upload. Should this have happened while we were still on the freeway and unable to safely navigate to a shoulder on either the left or right of the road, we would have essentially been forced to go from full-freeway speeds in a matter of seconds, creating a significant risk for ourselves and others. You can see in the video the central console goes completely black does not show speed Indicators does not flash any warning signal, intermittent control.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Engine · TX

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 / the federal safety agency 19V‑757 Diesel EGR Cooler" was accomplished in 2021. Per the Recall, the EGR cooler is replaced with a new part number. Accomplishment of this recall clearly did not eliminate the problem of egr cooler failure and the resulting damage to intake manifold and wiring. Do i have any financial recourse in this case due to recalled parts failing again ? I have requested that the dealer provide failed parts upon completion of reparis. Myself and others were put at risk when my truck lost all power on IH-30 in traffic before daylight. Dealer has verbally indicated that the egr cooler failed and melted intake manifold and wiring harness. No inspection by anybody except dealer service shop. No warning lamps or other symptoms noticed before failure.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Engine · 139,005 miles · AR

I have a 2018 Ram 1500 ecodiesel with the 2nd gen 3.0L V6 diesel engine. This engine has a well known defect causing the tone wheel to delaminate and stall the engine. This is what happened to me and the dealership is telling me I need my tone wheel and position sensor replaced. Per what you have put out [XXX] My truck should be covered under the recall 73A as I meet all the requirements. Stellantis is denying my replacement. The dealership performed 66A and is telling me they are being rejected by Stellantis for 73A or any other work. Stellantis has been giving me the run around and throwing every excuse in the book why they won’t do it. The most recent excuse is they say the website provided is not a legitimate webpage so they aren’t going to follow the federal safety agency guidelines it sets forth. Per the 2023 update to the class action ruling my truck is supposed to be covered, and after looking online there are hundreds of others facing the same problems. There is even a petition with 250 signatures online about this issue. Short of filing a class action I’m not sure what else to do. According to everything I’m reading per the federal safety agency I’m in the right, but FCA/Stellantis is denying responsibility. This all feels reminiscent of the $105 million 2015 ruling against FCA for not honoring recalls. If there is anything you can do to address this matter I would greatly appreciate it because there are hundreds of us facing thousands in repairs because a trillion dollar company wants to squeeze out a couple more dollars profit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

turbo component defective fixed at my own cost last 2 yrs 9 m. afraid of fuel starvation

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Engine · AZ

Although the carfax states the EGR Cooler has already been serviced and there are no active recalls at this time, EGR Cooler failure has been determined by an independent service center. The vehicle is available for inspection. A potential fire from the EGR Cooler failure puts the driver's life and any passenger's lives at risk. The symptoms are substantial coolant loss with absence of leakage causing the engine to overheat. This symptom has been present since the time I purchased the vehicle in February 2026.

Filed Mar 7, 2026 · Engine · IL

All of a sudden while driving or idling engine will complete shut itself off. Rpm to 0 and if driving truck has shift to park to start. Once shifter to park and restarting car truck will start right back up however this issue has been ongoing and Dodge/ram has been no help with a solution. Brought it to an outside mechanic and after having a ton checked either pointing to a faulty PCM or TIPM module. Recent discovery is the tipm also know as the main fuse box under the hood is overheating - causing the truck to stall out

Filed Feb 14, 2026 · Engine · VA

The manifold bolts have broken on the engine for the second time. The first time the Dealership fixed it and it has done it again.

Filed Jan 29, 2026 · Engine · 106,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled but was almost immediately restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the destination and turned off; however, while attempting to restart, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the crankshaft position tone wheel had completely delaminated and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the mechanic that there was a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Several dealers were contact and provided the same information. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Questions about the 2018 Ram 1500 engine

Does the 2018 Ram 1500 have engine problems?

Owners have filed 153 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Ram 1500, 23% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Ram 1500 engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 49,418 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2018 Ram 1500 engine?

Yes, 3 recalls: 23V411000, 20V475000, 19V757000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2018 Ram 1500 problems

Electrical 159Fuel system 140Steering 90Transmission 60Brakes 48Acceleration 31Driver assistance 30Suspension 22Airbags 19Visibility 17Body 15Lights 10Seat belts 8Seats 7Wheels 6Locks 4Tires 3

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