2018 Ram 2500: sudden loss of power

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 Mar 17, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · NM

Loss of power/turbo. I was hauling a heavy load when I had a loss of turbo power on highway. Causing my truck to loose mph up a hill and almost getting struck by a semi vdd into my trailer. Check engine light is on and turbo don’t kick on anymore. I haven’t had the money to fix the problem but I’m certain it’s the turbo/turbo actuator.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Brakes · IA

The ABS Motor circuit on my truck is losing power. The issue is this is part of the Hydraulic Control Unit assembly and it is not serviceable without replacing the HCU. Ram does not currently have a solution to this problem. This issue shuts down my Anti-Lock Braking System, traction control and I lose trailer brakes when this system fails. This is a safety issue and a recall needs to be issued for this.

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Engine · TX

The check engine light came on and vehicle gave a 196 miles to reduced power and shutdown warning. Vehicle was taken to dealer and diagnosis was that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid gauge and pump assembly had failed. Repairs were made at dealer. Failure of this part can put the driver in a situation of reduced power and danger while driving on highway.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Engine · NC

truck engine failure at 120,920 miles. 6.4 hemi in a 2500 ram truck. this is the 3rd truck that has engine failure at approx 120,000 miles and reports of bearing metal in the block. seems that there is an issue with the engine parts that are not lasting and resulting in engine failure while in operation. loss of power and power.

Filed Jun 18, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 15,000 miles · TX

Truck loses power steering completely while driving making it 10x harder to maneuver the vehicle making tight turns very difficult. Lack of braking power. Truck has a very evident aeration noise every time steering wheel is turned at any time. Trucks power steering fluid has fallen below minimum three times in the vehicles life. Truck is at 27,000 miles. Issue began around 15,000 miles. Bubbles in power steering reservoir. Power steering pump smells like it's burning up. Power steering pump and hydro boost are failing and has airflow passing through a system that constantly needs to be lubricated by power steering fluid. Pump and hydroboost will fail prematurely before their life expectancies. I have brought my vehicle into three different dealerships, twice at rockwall dodge, twice as dallas dodge, once at huffines dodge. Dealerships claim nothing is wrong with vehicle, the power steering pump on this particular model is more audible than others, also there is supposed to be some air created in power steering system. Dealership service advisor stated, 'for all I know, you could be syphoning the fluid out of the reservoir and claiming it's low' each dealership said nothing was wrong, but has failed to explain to me where my fluid is going, why I'm losing braking power, having complete loss of power steering, or why my truck is very audibly making an aeration noise. Vehicle has been out of service for 15 plus days. Dealerships only look to see physical leaks, see nothing, and say it's fine and send me out the door. I've been through the lemon law process. Fca won the case and ncds denied buyback. I will attach a picture of ncds's statement on why the denial was made. Direct statement from [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).