What 775 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 3500

The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal cracking sound and smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact inspected and used a fire extinguisher to slow the smoke and electrical sparks down. The contact did not notice any fire. The fire department arrived and disconnected the electrical cables to prevent further damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was traveling on vacation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was later towed to an RV service center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 11748890

This recall came out 1.5 years ago and there still is no remedy. At a car wash my truck wouldn’t stop and I slid into a concrete pole and damaged the fender and headlight. The corporate office told me, when I called, that currently there is nothing that they can do.

NHTSA ODI 11745513

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received a notification of NHTSA 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 30 MPH while approaching a stop on a wet road, a nearby vehicle had merged into their lane; however, the vehicle failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The service brake and ABS warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle had impacted the rear end of a nearby vehicle. No police report was filed. No injuries or medical attention were sought. The local dealer was contacted; however, parts were not available. The contact was concerned that the recall had no parts for approximately 3 years, and the recall was expanded to include his vehicle's VIN however, still no parts were made available for the recall remedy. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11703633

I had just merged onto the highway and was in the left lane that was ending ahead. As soon as I switched lanes traffic came to a stop. I slammed on the brakes and the truck came to a complete stop before impact. Then with my foot still on the brake pedal the truck lurched forward making impact with the vehicle in front of me. I believe that the defective brake HCU failure caused the ABS system to fail ultimately resulting in the accident. The only damage was to the front bumper. No airbags deployed and the accident was not reported. I would like Ram to replace my bumper since I have been driving with this problem for over a year and still no fix to the problem. It is a clear safety issue and had resulted in not being able to safely drive the truck.

NHTSA ODI 11697613

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss in automotive power and failed to respond as intended to the brake pedal being depressed. The ABS and Traction Control warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the failure caused the contact to lose control and crash into a ditch. No air bags were deployed. Medical attention was not sought and no injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle failed to restart as intended and was towed to a local dealer. The local dealer replaced the PCM however, the parts to repair the ABS and HECU were not available. The contact stated that after repairs were made at several local dealers on several occasions, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11690389

Brakes went out and steering which caused loss of control of vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11638540

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the remedy was not available. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal however, the brakes failed to engage. As a result, the front center of the vehicle crashed into a tree. There was severe cosmetic damage. The Service Anti-Lock Brake System" message was displayed prior to the crash. No injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. A dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts were once again, not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the place of residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000. Parts Distribution Disconnect. 

NHTSA ODI 11629974

Truck wouldn't stop antilock brakes did not work. Been trying to get 68347098ab and 68143491ab for the last 3 years from ram but been on backorder for that long. Was going down gravel road and trying to stop but wouldn't one wheel locked up and truck went into ditch smashing fender and hood.

NHTSA ODI 11610788

The Anti-Lock Brake & Electronic Braking System error caused the internal Trailer Brake system to shut off trailer brakes just like it shuts off the cruise control when warnings come up on the dashboard. The incident happened Aug 28, 2023 while following my son and my wife in a vehicle ahead of me. I had to change lanes to try to avoid something that suddenly came across in front of my vehicle. I applied the brakes and then the trailer acted like it didn't have any brakes fell over & was totaled. If this was in traffic someone could have been killed. The "Check Anti-Lock Brake System" & "Check Electronic Brake System" warnings started coming up intermittently as I drove my RAM 3500 Diesel truck starting sometime around July 2023. I drove to the local RAM dealer and told them about the problem. They acted like they had never heard of this problem and proceeded to check the error code and then stated they had never heard of this error before. They said they would check with RAM engineering on what needed to be done. They then said there were other similar RAM trucks with the same issue & that the parts were on back order. I finally got an appointment for the dealer to check my truck after sending an email to the Service Supervisor. After they checked my truck on August 16, 2023 they said that my truck needed a new Anti-Lock Brake Control Module. I had seen that many others on the internet blogs had stated that both the Anti-Lock Brake Control Module and the Hydraulic Control Module (HCM) needed to be replaced. I was then told by the service person that the Anti-Lock Brake Control Module would not be available for months (until sometime in December) and the Hydraulic Control Module (HCU) had no date of availability. They also checked with the RAM technicians at the dealership about safety driving the truck and towing a trailer until the part came in. They told me that only the Anti-Lock Brakes may not work so it would be safe to continue to drive it and tow a trailer.

NHTSA ODI 11562767

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, a vehicle abruptly merged in front of him causing him to crash into the rear of that vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and became aware that the brake pedal was difficult to depress. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired; however, the dealer was contacted by phone. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a freeze on the repair due to parts not being available. The failure mileage was 9,800.

NHTSA ODI 11537193

I was driving on the interstate highway. While driving at 60 mph towing a fifth wheel RV the front end shuddered for several seconds. Then the drivers side front wheel assembly broke off at the wheel studs. I was able to safely get to the breakdown lane. The drivers side front wheel assembly struck another vehicle traveling the oncoming lane. I was told that the vehicle that was struck was totaled. The police on scene documented the incident. The insurance representative has been notified and approved the repair. The collision repair facility documented. I also have pictures indicating broken front wheel studs.

NHTSA ODI 11532925

Frontal collision at 45 mph, totaled truck but airbags did not deploy. The insurance company sent the truck to the auction. My safety was at risk. Not that I am aware of, the insurance company has photos. Inspected by police and insurance adjuster. No symptoms of anything wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11518489

9830-2021-10627 police report 12-14-2021 Head on collision with a 18 wheeler trailer. The air bags failed to deploy. My cousin survived. None of the air bags deployed. 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel dually.

NHTSA ODI 11444869

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WHILE ON A MOUNTAIN SIDE, WITHIN SECONDS THE VEHICLE TUMBLED DOWN OFF THE CLIFF INTO TREES WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING DOWN 8 FEET INTO A RIVER. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME INTO A STOP. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATION ON THE LEFT ELBOW, BRUISES AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED DUE TO COSTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE IF ANY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V021000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11228827

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED REAR END DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *DT *DT*JB *DT *DT *DT *DT*JB WE RAN THE TESTS AS REQUESTED. WITH THE FIRST 2 TESTS, THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK WITHOUT HAVING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE 3RD TEST DETERMINED THERE IS NO INDICATOR CHIME OR MESSAGE IF YOU LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH IT RUNNING WHETHER THE PARKING BRAKE IS ON OR NOT. WE ALSO TESTED TO SEE WHAT THE TRUCK WOULD DO IF WE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL IN THE POSITION HE HAD THE TRUCK AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, IT IMMEDIATELY WENT FORWARD. LASTLY WE TESTED FOR THE IN BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE PROBABILITY. WE FOUND THERE IS DEFINITELY A POSITION BETWEEN P AND R WHERE THE SHIFT LEVER WILL GO INTO AND YOU ARE ABLE TO EXIT THE TRUCK. NO INDICATOR/WARNING GIVEN AT THIS POINT BUT THE P WAS FLASHING. WHILE SITTING IN THE TRUCK AND IT BEING IN THIS IN BETWEEN POSITION THE TRUCK DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACK. SO IN THIS POSITION THE TRUCK ACTS AS IF IT'S IN PARK NOT NEUTRAL AS IT DOES NOT ROLL FORWARD. ALSO WHILE IN THIS IN BETWEEN POSITION YOU CAN DROP THE LEVER DOWN INTO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. AS YOU STATED, THERE IS NO WAY FOR US TO SAFELY CHECK TO SEE HOW LONG THE TRUCK WOULD STAY IN THIS IN BETWEEN POSITION ONCE LEAVING THE TRUCK. WE DO KNOW IT WILL STAY FOR SOME AMOUNT OF TIME AS WE TESTED THAT WITHOUT LEAVING THE TRUCK. THE LEVER DOES SLIDE DOWN INTO REVERSE VERY EASILY FROM THIS IN BETWEEN POSITION. SOME WITH A LEVEL TO SHOW THE SLOPE AND DAMAGES. *JB *DT *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO MORE OCCURRENCES DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE CONSCIENTIOUSLY USING THE PARKING BRAKE*TR *DT*DT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB *JB

NHTSA ODI 11193081

REAR OUTSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AT 25MPH ON A OFF RAMP TRUCK ONLY HAS 4900 MILES ON IT, CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL AND LOAD ROLL OVER AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY NEW TRUCK!

NHTSA ODI 11130669