2018 Ram 2500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Brakes · 47,000 miles · AR · fire

The contact owned 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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an ABS module failure, and the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had progressed with several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The contact was able to control the fire from spreading with a nearby water hose. The local Fire Department arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. The source of the fire was unknown and possibly was caused by an electrical failure underneath the dashboard. A Fire report was filed; however, it was not available. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed away to a nearby lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Engine · 95,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owned a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving and pulling a fifth wheel RV, the check engine warning light and another unknown red warning light were illuminated. The contact's husband stopped in the middle of the road and immediately exited the vehicle with the contact's nephews and dog, who were also occupying the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver then noticed that there was a fire underneath the hood. The contact stated that her husband attempted to open the hood to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, but the hood failed to open. The contact met her family at the scene. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle exploded, there were abnormal popping sounds, and fire projectiles coming out from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the entire vehicle burned to the ground, and the front of the RV also caught on fire and burned. The contact stated that the fuel tank of the vehicle was full at the time of the incident. The contact stated that the forest near the camping ground nearly caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire, and a report was filed. A police report was filed, but the police report information was not available. Both the vehicle and the RV were towed and totaled. Both the contact and the passengers of the vehicle sustained emotional trauma from the incident. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2024 · Engine · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH uphill and hauling a loaded trailer, the contact noticed that the radiator fan had engaged, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud shredding sound and the engine started overheating. Additionally, there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe and there was an abnormal coolant odor. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that the rubber part of the radiator fan shroud was stuck inside the radiator fan and was shredded, causing a hole in the rear of the radiator. The contact noticed that there was no coolant inside the reservoir. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the radiator, the fan, and the fan shroud were replaced; however, the failure recurred while hauling a loaded trailer. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2515 N Expy, Griffin, GA 30223), where the same repair was made. Additionally, the dealer installed pins on the radiator fan shroud. The contact stated that the pins were detaching, and the contact was concerned that the failure would reoccur. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 28, 2024 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CT · fire

The contact owned a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated the vehicle was parked overnight on the street and unoccupied when a loud bang was heard and it was discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The fire department and police department arrived to inspect the vehicle where it was noticed the fire started on the passenger side of the engine however the exact origin could not be determined. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was consumed by the flames and there were only burnt framing remains of the vehicle. A police report was filed but the case number was not available. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle remained in the contact's possession. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2018 · Transmission · 1,592 miles · AL · fire

Our dodge ram 6.7 2500 2018, case, harvest editor caught on fire within a week of purchase, while driving down the freeway towing. At time of purchase it had 555 miles on it, and we'd only driven it 3 time prior to this. We were driving below the speed limit. The truck starting loosing power, we saw a little smoke in the rear view mirror. As we slowed the smoke increased. Upon lifting the hood, transmission fluid was squatting out across the engine poring on the ground, flames were moving along the back of the fire wall. We put the fire out ourselves prior to the fire department arriving. Our insurance investigator said it was a warranty issues, defective transmission line. He also said there was no evidence to support anything that we could have or might have done. Chrysler's investigations revealed that it was also a warranty issue.