The 2018 Ram 1500 is the last year of the DS/DJ platform before the redesign. The 3.6L Pentastar is generally solid, but the 3.0L EcoDiesel and 5.7L Hemi both have documented catastrophic failures. Transmission issues span all engine options, with cooler and mount failures being signature problems.
3.0L EcoDiesel Catastrophic Engine Failure (EGR Cooler Clog Leading to Piston/Bearing Damage)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart per 1,000 mi or worse), White smoke on cold start, Check engine light with DPF/EGR codes, Sudden loss of power, knocking, complete failure
Fix: EGR cooler clogs with soot, then cracks and dumps coolant into cylinders, washing cylinder walls and scoring pistons. By the time it's diagnosed, you're looking at engine rebuild or replacement: pistons, rings, bearings, machine work, or short block. 25-35 hours labor for in-chassis rebuild, more for R&R if block needs to come out fully.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
5.7L Hemi Lifter and Cam Failure (MDS-Related)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise on cold start that doesn't go away, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Loss of power, rough idle, Metal shavings in oil
Fix: The Multi-Displacement System (cylinder deactivation) causes lifter needle bearings to fail, which can wipe the camshaft. Once the cam is damaged, you're replacing cam, all lifters, possibly pushrods, and sometimes rocker arms. If caught early (just lifters), 8-12 hours. If cam is gone, 15-20 hours plus head work.
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, Milky or glittery transmission fluid, Overheating transmission temp warning, Complete transmission failure
Fix: The external cooler (integrated with radiator on some models or standalone) corrodes internally, allowing coolant and ATF to mix, which destroys clutches and valve body. If caught immediately, cooler replacement plus triple fluid flush is 4-6 hours. If driven after contamination, full transmission rebuild or replacement required: 10-15 hours.
Symptoms: Clunk or bang when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Visible sag or torn rubber on mount inspection
Fix: The rear transmission crossmember mount fails from heat and load cycles. Rubber separates or crushes. Replacement is straightforward: support transmission, unbolt mount, install new. 1.5-2.5 hours depending on exhaust routing and access.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Fuel System Issues (3.0L EcoDiesel - Filter Housing and Pump)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially in cold weather, Loss of power under load, Check engine light with low fuel pressure codes, Fuel in oil (severe cases)
Fix: Diesel fuel filter housing cracks or seals fail, allowing air intrusion or fuel leakage. High-pressure fuel pump can also fail, contaminating oil with diesel. Filter housing replacement is 2-3 hours. Fuel pump replacement is 6-9 hours and requires fuel system priming and extensive diagnostic time.
Symptoms: Check engine light with EVAP leak codes (P0456, P0457), Difficulty fueling (pump clicks off repeatedly), Fuel smell near tank or under vehicle
Fix: EVAP canister vent valve sticks or purge valve fails. Sometimes the tank vent valve itself needs replacement, which requires dropping the fuel tank. Vent valve alone: 1.5-2 hours. Tank drop for internal valve: 4-6 hours.
Estimated cost: $300-600 (vent valve), $800-1,400 (tank drop work)
Rear Differential Pinion Seal Leak
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil dripping from front of rear differential, Low diff fluid on inspection, Whining noise from rear axle if run low
Fix: Pinion seal hardens and leaks. Common on trucks that tow. Driveshaft removal, seal replacement, fresh fluid. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-550
Owner tips
If buying a 3.0L EcoDiesel, have a pre-purchase borescope inspection done and verify EGR cooler recall (if applicable) was completed. Run full synthetic 5W-40 and monitor oil consumption religiously.
On 5.7L Hemis, switch to 0W-40 synthetic and do 5,000-mile oil changes max. Consider disabling MDS with a tuner if you keep it long-term—it's the root cause of lifter failures.
Flush transmission fluid every 50,000 miles and inspect cooler lines annually for corrosion. Catch cooler failure early and you save the transmission.
Check transmission mount on every oil change after 50k miles—it's a $200 part that prevents a $5,000 transmission replacement if ignored.
I'd buy a 3.6L V6 version used without hesitation, but walk away from high-mileage EcoDiesels and inspect any Hemi carefully for lifter tick—these engines can grenade expensively.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 83C, 91C, and 92C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 18, 2025.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR · 25V010000
2025-01-16
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · 23V411000
2023-06-08
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Consequence: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR · 21V632000
2021-08-12
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL · 20V475000
2020-08-13
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Consequence: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH · 19V347000
2019-05-09
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
Consequence: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 19V324000
2019-04-25
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.
Consequence: A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY · 18V556000
2018-08-23
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.
Consequence: If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U88.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 18V398000
2018-06-14
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 18V332000
2018-05-17
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 18V280000
2018-05-01
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Consequence: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 18V100000
2018-02-08
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.
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