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2018 RAM 2500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel•4WD•AUTOMATIC•diesel•turbo
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$42,940 maintenance + known platform issues
~$8,588/yr · 720¢/mile equivalent · $30,685 maintenance + $9,335 expected platform issues
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6.4L V8 Hemi Gas
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2018 Ram 2500 is split personality — the 6.7L Cummins is a proven workhorse with minor fuel system quirks, while the 6.4L Hemi has serious bottom-end issues that can grenade engines between 50,000-100,000 miles. Choose your engine wisely.

6.4L Hemi Spun Rod Bearings and Bottom-End Failure

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden metallic knocking or ticking at idle, Loss of oil pressure, Metal shavings in oil, Catastrophic engine failure without warning
Fix: The 6.4L Hemi suffers from inadequate bearing material and oiling issues under load, especially when towing. Rod bearings spin and destroy the crankshaft, requiring complete engine rebuild or replacement. We're seeing this at alarming rates — often 60-80k miles on trucks used for towing. Short block replacement takes 18-24 hours labor, plus machining if crank can be saved. Many opt for reman long blocks.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000

68RFE Transmission Cooler Line Failures

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking at radiator area, Pink fluid under truck, Harsh shifting when fluid low, Overheating transmission temps
Fix: The cooler lines running to the radiator develop pinhole leaks or crack at fittings due to vibration and corrosion. Replacement involves dropping skid plates and sometimes exhaust components for access. Plan on 3-4 hours labor. Replace both lines and fittings preventively when one fails. Check for cross-contamination if coolant gets into trans fluid.
Estimated cost: $400-800

6.7L Cummins Fuel Filter Housing Leaks and Air Intrusion

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting overnight, Loss of prime, extended cranking, Fuel weeping from filter housing, P0087 fuel pressure codes, Rough idle or surging
Fix: The plastic fuel filter housing develops cracks or the water drain valve seals fail, sucking air into fuel system. Kills prime overnight. Replace entire housing assembly — aftermarket options from Airdog or FASS are superior. Takes 2-3 hours including bleeding system. Some techs also replace lift pump while in there.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Transmission Mount Failure

Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration at highway speeds, Driveline shudder under acceleration, Visible sagging of transmission crossmember
Fix: The 68RFE is heavy and the factory rubber mount fatigues, especially on trucks that tow. Creates excessive drivetrain movement and annoying NVH. Replacement is straightforward — support trans, unbolt crossmember, swap mount. 1.5-2 hours labor. Use OEM or upgraded polyurethane if truck sees heavy duty.
Estimated cost: $250-450

Steering Linkage and Drag Link Wear

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Loose or wandering steering feel, Clunk over bumps in steering, Uneven tire wear, Play in steering wheel at center
Fix: Track bar bushings and drag link ends wear on these heavy trucks, worsened by oversized tires. Death wobble can result if ignored. Inspect all steering components under load — a pry bar reveals play. Typically replace track bar, drag link, and tie rod ends as a set. Plan 4-5 hours for full front-end refresh with alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Tailgate Latch Failure

Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Tailgate won't latch or pops open, Handle won't return to position, Corrosion or binding in latch mechanism
Fix: The electric tailgate lock actuator or mechanical latch corrodes and binds, especially in salt states. Recall covers some VINs but many fall outside range. Replacement latch assembly takes 1-1.5 hours, requires interior door panel removal to access rods and actuator. Lubricate regularly to prevent recurrence.
Estimated cost: $300-600

Backup Camera Failure and Water Intrusion

Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Intermittent black screen when in reverse, Foggy or distorted camera image, Moisture visible in camera lens, No camera image, 'check surroundings' message
Fix: Camera housing seal fails and moisture gets in, corroding connector and circuit board. Recall 23V-333 addresses some units but many still fail outside coverage. Replacement camera is plug-and-play in tailgate handle. 0.5-1 hour labor. Aftermarket units often have better sealing.
Estimated cost: $200-450
Owner tips
  • If buying a 6.4L Hemi, get a pre-purchase oil analysis and listen for ANY bottom-end noise — walk away at the first sign of ticking. The Cummins is the safer bet for longevity.
  • Change fuel filters on the Cummins every 15k miles religiously and inspect the housing for cracks during every service. Prevent the problem before it leaves you stranded.
  • The 68RFE trans is stout but needs fluid changes every 30-40k miles if towing — the factory 'lifetime' fill is marketing, not reality.
  • Oversized tires accelerate steering and drivetrain component wear. If the truck has 35s or larger, budget for front-end work sooner.
Buy the Cummins version with service records and avoid the 6.4L Hemi unless you enjoy expensive surprise engine rebuilds — this generation's bottom-end lottery is real.
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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