2018 Ram 2500 engine problems

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 150,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH and depressing the brake, the vehicle slid in the rain. The ABS, traction control, and engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case The contact was unable to reach a supervisor to escalate the issue. The phone call was disconnected before the connection with the supervisor. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

The electronic throttle control light and check engine light are on. I took it to a mechanic and had the accelerator pedal replaced. The lights remained on and the truck remains in "limp mode" and will not go over 59mph. The mechanic stated that this is due to the unresolved recall problems with the traction control and anti lock braking system, and the HCU needing replaced. These components and labor are over 2-3 thousand dollars! I have called the federal safety agency and the manufacturer with questions and asked for a timeframe for a fix and have received nothing.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 15,337 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control feature was deactivated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS failure. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS failure. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 15,337.

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NC

Component or system that failed or malfunctioned The issue involves a safety recall‑related system on my Ram truck that remains open with no available remedy for over one year. The vehicle is now experiencing traction loss while pulling and during normal driving, along with multiple failure/warning lights activating on the dashboard. How my safety or the safety of others was put at risk While driving and when pulling/accelerating, the vehicle unexpectedly loses traction, which creates a risk of loss of control, especially during traffic, turns, or acceleration from a stop. The appearance of failure lights combined with traction loss presents a serious safety risk to myself, my passengers, and other motorists, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Whether the problem has been reproduced or confirmed The safety defect is confirmed by the open the federal safety agency recall associated with my VIN. The traction loss and failure lights have occurred during normal vehicle operation and continue to reappear. The issue has not been repaired due to the manufacturer stating that no recall remedy is currently available. Inspections by dealer, manufacturer, or others Authorized Ram/Dodge dealers have confirmed that the recall remains open with no repair solution available from the manufacturer. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by police or insurance representatives, but it remains available for inspection. Warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms Failure and warning indicator lights have appeared on the dashboard and remain present. These symptoms began while the recall was still unresolved and now occur in conjunction with traction loss during driving and pulling, indicating the defect may be actively affecting vehicle safety.

Filed Apr 10, 2026 · Engine · NV

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact was notified of NHSTA campaign Number: 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the recall remedy was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · ME

I am reporting ongoing safety concerns with my 2018 RAM 2500 (6.7L Cummins) related to repeated emissions/aftertreatment failures and the lack of timely repair options. These failures directly affect drivability and can create hazardous situations if the vehicle enters derate mode while towing or driving at highway speeds. Over the past year, my truck has suffered multiple emissions-related component failures, including DEF dosing issues, SCR/DPF system faults, repeated warning messages, and the threat of speed-limiting derates. The vehicle is used for normal personal use, is well-maintained, and has not been modified. Despite proper maintenance, the same types of failures continue to recur. A major concern is that local RAM dealers have extremely limited ability to service these issues in a timely manner. Appointments are often weeks out, and when the truck is already in a failure state it is unsafe to continue driving. I have previously reported safety-related defects to the federal safety agency (ABS/HCU), and those issues later resulted in recalls—so I know that reporting matters. The combination of emissions failures, derate risks, and lack of dealer support creates a situation where the vehicle may suddenly lose power or become unsafe to operate, especially when towing or traveling in rural areas with limited service availability. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review whether there is a broader pattern of emissions-system failures on RAM heavy-duty trucks with the 6.7 Cummins and whether these failures pose a safety risk due to the forced-derate logic and inability to obtain timely repairs.

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 63,000 miles · PA

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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service ABS" was displayed. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated, and the ABS alarm chimed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2025 · Engine · TX

Turbo actuator is a defective item. Per the Facebook forums I'm in, this item is often talked about as a common point of failure. There are also several videos on YouTube describing the defect. It limits the VGT vanes in the turbo from building/retarding boost in the engine creating an unsafe driving condition by not being able to accelerate properly and limit the effectiveness of the exhaust brake function when towing leading to longer stopping times which could lead to a crash. There are warning lights and CEL codes that can be read/interpreted from a handheld scanner which I have as well as many other knowledgeable mechanics regarding this specific defective/known Ram issue. There are several codes which point to a defective turbo actuator or failing turbo itself. P00AF-turbo boost control "a" module performance P226C-turbocharger boost control slow response

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 Aug 29, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · FL

The contact's son owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while her son was driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle started to shake abnormally. The check engine light turned on and then went off. The owner received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact called an unknown local dealer and was informed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.