The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated after several checks with the dealer, the parts became available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the recall repair was already performed. The contact stated that the vehicle was never taken to the dealer for the repair. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was already repaired under the recall.
2018 Ram 2500 brakes problems
2,349 complaints (90% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 59,000. 30 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 2,349
- of this car's complaints
- 90%
- typical mileage
- 59,000
- crashes
- 30
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Antilock: ABS warning light55
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light31
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module11
- Antilock: control unit/module5
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring1
- Antilock1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ram 2500 brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ram 2500 brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
- Risk
- A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
Recall number 24V896000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Loss of Brake Performance
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limited detectability. Consumers complained that the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminated on their vehicles. The ABS module works in conjunction with the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), an electromechanical device that controls hydraulic pressure to the individual wheel brake assemblies, to manage braking forces during emergency stops. During this investigation, ODI received over 2,500 consumer complaints concerning ABS or HCU warning lights that illuminated on the dashboards of their vehicles. Many consumers described also having trouble with cruise control, traction control, or electronic stability control. Of the complaints received, over 50% mentioned that the ABS or HCU warning light was intermittent in nature. ODI learned that in January 2021, FCA was aware of a problem with the ABS pump motors on the subject vehicles. FCA had been working with the supplier, ZF, on an issue concerning swelling of the brushes inside the motor. According to a briefing given by ZF to FCA on January 15, 2021, the ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TSC) and other functions utilizing the motor would be disabled in the event of a problem with an ABS pump motor. ZF also informed FCA that Slip Control would be inhibited with the driver warning lamp illuminated, base braking would not be affected, and FMVSS stopping distance requirements would still be met. In order to better understand the potential consequences of the brushes swelling and the disablement of the ABS, ESC, TSC and other functions, ODI requested that the federal safety agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct testing on a subject vehicle with a faulty pump motor installed. During the testing, VRTC found that as the brushes started to swell in the motor, the warning lamp could illuminate intermittently, causing confusion to drivers. Although the warning light illuminated intermittently, VRTC discovered that the pump was not working properly regardless of the warning light status. In this condition drivers might think that their vehicle is operating normally when the warning light is off, but instead, the ABS, ESC, TSC and other functions supported by the pump will not work. Following a series of meetings with FCA to demonstrate the findings ofVRTC's testing, FCA conducted an internal review and on November 27, 2024, FCA submitted safety recalls 24V‑896 and 24E-100. In view of the recalls being conducted by FCA, ODI has closed this Preliminary Evaluation. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE22012
What 2018 Ram 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving, the ABS warning light remained illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 115,215.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH with a loaded trailer, the brakes locked while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, after depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that after a while the brakes slowly released, and the contact was able to resume driving. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the vehicle had previously been repaired under the recall. The contact stated that the part that was used to repair the vehicle was the same part as the one that was removed during the repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall.
I received a Safety Recall notice back in XXX for the HCU ABS component on my 2018 Ram 2500 (C4B/the federal safety agency 24V‑896). Subsequently, the ABS component failed shortly after so I took the truck into CardinaleWay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Santa Rosa and they temporarily repaired the unit, but did not and have not had a replacement unit to resolve the recall notice safety issue. As stated on the paperwork, it is typed "Advised customer that the HCU is currently on recall, but the recall fix is not available at this time". To date, there has been no repair of that part made to my truck to resolve this safety recall, but the recall notice was removed by Stellanis on my truck, most likely following a conversation that I had with them last month expressing my concerns for safety when operating my truck and asking for an update on when the part would become available. I believe that Stellanis reported this as "fixed" fraudulently to the federal safety agency and I would like for the federal safety agency to investigate this thoroughly. I talked with the federal safety agency service agent "[XXX]" today about this issue and he assigned reference number XXX for the incident. I have attached the documents as per my statements above for review. I look forward to your reply on this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
the federal safety agency recall number 24V‑896 was marked as completed on my vehicle but I'm telling you the work was never done. It was marked as complete on 27 September (that's a Sunday) of this year. I called Stellantis recall department and they just say it's complete but can't tell me who actually did the work or who completed it, just totally stonewalled me, so I'm contacting you. I haven't even been to a dealership in about 10 months for anything. This was either accidentally marked complete or fraudulent, I don't know, but this recall should still be listed as open for my truck. What do I do?
Vehicle Information: * Year/Make/Model: 2018 Ram 2500 Power Wagon * Affected Component: Electronic Stability Control / Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Electrical System * Associated Recall: FCA Recall C4B / the federal safety agency Campaign 24V‑896 Description of the Safety Problem: The vehicle is completely disabled and non-running due to a high-current internal electrical short-to-ground within the ABS/Stability Control architecture. Attempting to turn over the engine instantly blows the heavy 30-amp Fuse F26. Diagnostics isolated the issue exclusively to the ABS module: when the main ABS electrical connector is unplugged, a fresh fuse does not blow, confirming a direct short within the module assembly. Because this is a Ram Power Wagon, the system failure also cascades into the disabling of vital off-road, safety, and stability control systems. Description of Manufacturer/Dealer Non-Compliance: According to the VIN registry, the manufacturer’s authorized dealership marked FCA Safety Recall C4B (the federal safety agency 24V‑896) as "Completed" on this vehicle. However, a physical inspection reveals that the required engineering remedy was never properly executed. The vehicle is still running the original, factory-defective components. The electronic ABS module physically installed on the truck bears part number 68351453AA. This "AA" suffix indicates the original, defective component architecture that is prone to internal failure and explicitly named in the manufacturer's initial safety report. Per official recall remedy instructions, a complete replacement of the HCU assembly with updated brush materials (such as part 68143491AB) is required. The dealership failed to install the authorized engineering remedy part, leaving the defective component in place while reporting the safety recall as closed to federal regulators. Because this component failure triggers a high-current short-to-ground, it presents an active vehicle fire hazard and has left the vehicle completely stranded.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated with a steady continuous audible chime coming from the vehicle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 41,400.
The truck is under recall C4b for the ABS / Traction control system, which also disables the cruise control. I have called several times and had the vehicle into local dealerships and was told there is still no fix. I asked about trading in the truck and the dealers offered me way below KBB value stating they don't want the truck because of the recall. I ask Ram to help me out and they said there is nothing they can do. 3 times now in over the almost 2 years this truck has been under recall C4B the truck has only engaged the rear brakes during a panic stop causing me to almost crash. I talked with Ram recall department and that told me to stop driving the truck, I told them it was my only transportation. They then told me it's up to a dealership if they want to give me a rental until the fix becomes available, of course the dealers do not. I am frustrated and at wits end, the truck constantly dings at me turning the ABS light on and off all day everyday. I have had no use of my cruise control for almost 2 years, and can not pull trailers like I intended to do with the truck becuase the companies will not pass the truck in their inspections because of the ABS / Traction control lights being on. The lights have been coming on since about December of 2024, and stayed on since Febuary of 2025.
Questions about the 2018 Ram 2500 brakes
Does the 2018 Ram 2500 have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 2,349 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ram 2500, 90% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 2500 brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 59,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ram 2500 brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 24V896000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ram 2500 have bad brakes?
The Ram 2500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2018 (2,349 complaints), 2017 (516 complaints) and 2016 (35 complaints).
Other 2018 Ram 2500 problems
Electrical 476Acceleration 342Driver assistance 253Steering 87Transmission 75Engine 42Suspension 21Wheels 14Airbags 11Fuel system 11Visibility 8Body 5Lights 5Tires 5
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