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Reliability report · 2018 Ram 1500 · Updated July 2026 · ~$3,100/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

The final, most-sorted fourth-generation Ram — the lowest complaint count of its generation, with a longer recall list to simply confirm as closed.

2018 is the last year of the fourth-generation (DS) Ram 1500 before the redesign, and it's the most refined: the lowest complaint count of the three DS years we cover, on the same proven Hemi/Pentastar and 8-speed hardware. The recent complaint file still leads with electric-power-steering loss and carries the ABS-module and Hemi-tick risks that define this generation, but at lower volume.

The trade-off is a longer recall list, including 2018-only campaigns worth confirming: a powertrain-control-module chip that can cause a stall or no-start (18V524), an incomplete rear-driveshaft weld (19V324), a transmission park-lock rod that may not hold park (18V280), and an underfilled rear differential (18V556). None are open-ended reliability sinkholes — they're free fixes to verify by VIN. Clear those, cold-start for a tick, and 2018 is the sensible fourth-gen buy.

Evidence: 640 NHTSA complaints · 15 recall campaigns · 3 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 640 federal complaints — the fewest of the 2016–2018 DS trucks — but a slightly longer recall list, including a few 2018-only items (a PCM that can stall, a rear driveshaft weld, a transmission park-lock rod). The mechanical risks are the familiar steering, ABS, and Hemi ones. A checked example with its recalls closed is the pick of the fourth generation.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

640

Federal complaints

15

Recalls (all populations)

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2018 Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD (NHTSA VehicleId 12433)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Electric power-steering loss

major

Still the largest single cluster in the recent file, as on the other fourth-generation years: intermittent or sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes reported as uncovered. It makes the truck hard to steer at low speed. Test-drive for consistent effort, listen for whine, and scan for EPS/steering codes; don't dismiss intermittent heaviness as normal.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Ram 1500

Powertrain-control-module stall / no-start — recall 18V524major

A 2018-specific recall covers a voltage-regulator chip in the powertrain control module that can fail and cause a stall or no-start; the remedy replaces the PCM free. Because a stall is a safety issue and the fix is straightforward, the only real task is confirming it was completed by VIN — but an unaddressed truck is worth pausing on. Ask for the recall record and scan for stored codes.

Sources: NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 18V524, 18V280, 19V324, 18V556; diesel recalls)

5.7L Hemi cam-and-lifter tickmajor

  • 5.7L Hemi V8

The Hemi's cross-generation valvetrain risk: a worn lifter and cam lobe tick and eventually misfire. Independent mechanics quote a cam-and-lifter job at a minimum around $4,500, with full engine replacement often recommended once metal shows in the oil. Cold-start and listen — a persistent tick is the walk-away sign on any Hemi. Pentastar V6 trucks avoid this specific risk.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Ram; 5.7 Hemi cam/lifter deep-dives)

~$4,500

Cam + lifter repair (mechanic-quoted minimum)

higher

Engine replacement (often recommended)

Driveline recalls — driveshaft, park-lock rod, rear diffmoderate

Three 2018-era driveline recalls to confirm: an incomplete rear-driveshaft weld that can crack or fracture (19V324, 2018–2019), an incorrect transmission park-lock rod that may not hold the truck in park (18V280), and an underfilled rear differential that can fail or lock the rear wheels (18V556, 2018–2019). All are free fixes. Individually minor, collectively they mean the driveline recalls on a 2018 are worth a specific VIN check.

Sources: NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 18V524, 18V280, 19V324, 18V556; diesel recalls)

ABS module and EcoDiesel recallsmoderate

The ABS control-module failure that dominates 2016–2017 is present here too — confirm anti-lock brakes, cruise, and traction control all function. And if the truck is a 3.0L EcoDiesel, the EGR-cooler (19V757), crankshaft tone-wheel (20V475/23V411), and high-pressure-fuel-pump (22V406) recalls apply and should be confirmed closed. A 2018-specific backup-camera recall (18V398) and side-curtain airbag recalls (25V010, 25V592) round out the list.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Ram 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 18V524, 18V280, 19V324, 18V556; diesel recalls)

The powertrain control module can fail on a bad voltage-regulator chip and cause a stall or a no-start — dealers replace the module free.
3 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Ram dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 18V524PCM voltage-regulator chip can fail and cause a stall or no-start (2018); PCM replaced free.open
  2. 18V280Incorrect transmission park-lock rod may not hold the truck in park (2018); correct rod installed free.open
  3. 19V324Rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld and crack or fracture (2018–2019); driveshaft replaced free.open
  4. 18V556Rear differential may be underfilled and fail or lock the rear wheels (2018–2019); axle inspected/replaced free.open
  5. 18V398Backup camera may lose its image while reversing (2018); rearview mirror/camera replaced free.open
  6. 25V010 / 25V592Side-curtain airbag inflators may rupture (2016–2019 / 2018); airbags replaced free.open
  7. 19V757 / 22V406Diesel-only: EGR cooler cracking (fire) and high-pressure-fuel-pump failure (stall) on 3.0L EcoDiesel; parts replaced free.open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2018 1500

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway) for the RWD, 3.6L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 39619 (1500 2WD).
Other builds EPA lists: 4WD, 3.6L 19 MPG · 4WD, 5.7L (midgrade fuel) 14 MPG · RWD, 5.7L (midgrade fuel) 17 MPG · Diesel 4WD, 3.0L turbo 22 MPG.

$3,100/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen at about the average rate.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2016–18 models, published May 2019 (report WT-18). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Ram 1500 crew cab SWB 4WD.
Other series: Ram 1500 ext. cab 4WD 117 · Ram 1500 crew cab SWB 231 · Ram 1500 ext. cab 182 · Ram 1500 crew cab LWB 4WD 89 · Ram 1500 SWB 229, where 100 = average.

107 vs 100

7% above average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Cam + lifter repair (mechanic-quoted minimum)~$4,500
Engine replacement (often recommended)higher
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Confirm the PCM stall/no-start recall 18V524 was completed by VIN and scan for stored codes.
  2. 02Verify the driveline recalls — driveshaft (19V324), park-lock rod (18V280), rear differential (18V556) — are all closed by VIN.
  3. 03Test-drive for consistent steering effort (EPS loss is the top complaint) and confirm the ABS/brake systems work.
  4. 04Cold-start and listen for a Hemi valvetrain tick; a persistent tick points to a cam/lifter job (~$4,500+) or engine.
  5. 05Check the backup-camera (18V398) and side-curtain airbag (25V010, 25V592) recalls.
  6. 06If it's a 3.0L EcoDiesel, confirm the EGR-cooler, tone-wheel, and HPFP recalls are done.

Own one already?

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