2018 Ram 1500 Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 08/26/2024

Traveling on highway, heard noise coming from the engine. I was close to an off ramp and got off the highway. In the process of getting on the off ramp alarms went off. Turned on the flashers, came to a stop partially on the shoulder. Turned off the vehicle, turned it back on and it started right up. Turned to head into town to get some place safe to check the issue and all the alarms went off again. Put the car into neutral and coasted down the road to a local restaurant parking lot. Once safely parked, I opened the hood and my engine was on fire. I ran to the window of the restaurant to get a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire quickly. I contacted my insurance carrier and went through the process of repairing the truck. One body shop got it back up and running. Another shop fixed the cosmetic issues. However insurance would only fix the damage from the fire, not the cause of the fire. The truck has been throwing a code stating the EGR Cooler is not functioning properly. Stellantis sent out an independent investigator, however he wasn't allowed to look at the pictures that the body shop took after the incident. Since the truck was put back together and the cosmetic damage was repaired, he couldn't tell the cause of the fire. This EGR Cooler was supposed to be replaced during the recall (NHTSA Campaign # 19V757000), however I don't believe it was. Currently mine is cracked and supposedly the parts are on backorder. So there may need to be a recall to the recall.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/19/2024

On [XXX], at [XXX], my 2018 Dodge Ram Eco diesel engaged in fire. At this time, I called 911 and the Fire Department from which I obtained the fire report from respond and extinguish the fire. No police were ever dispatched. After exiting the vehicle, it seems like the vehicle was already on fire due to the progression of the fire already. I recently got the truck back from a local Dodge Dealership Cannon in Westpoint MS due to a high-pressure fuel pump recall. The truck also had another recall for failure of the EGR cooler. Which will result in possible fire according to their recall. Dodge motor company sent out an inspector who took numerous pictures and later determined by Dodge they were not at any negligence due to manufacturing of the vehicle, but unfortunately, I strongly disagree with their conclusion due to the numerous of incidents involving fire reported with the same particular make and model of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STEERING — Filed 12/09/2023

1. Electronic power steering rack and pinnion and the control module on the rack for power steering. Yes vehicle is available for inspection. 2. While driving 100km (62miles)/hr on a highway lost all steering control and was forced to hit the ditch to avoid a roadway curve and oncoming traffic. Brakes functioned but steering did not. Putting my families lives and others at risk of a vehicle collision. No injuries were sustained. 3. Steering control issues has been confirmed by a dealership and mechanic shop. 4. Unknown if it has been inspected by authorities generically. My vehicle has not been inspected other than by dodge and an independent service provider. 5. After power steering failed, check engine dash light has come on, not allowing command start or other functions to be used. Dash does not have any messages and had to have code read by dealership to find steering control failure. Was advised that dodge rams up to 2017 have had the exact same recall for ower steering failures. 2018s should be investigated for the power steering failures as well.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/26/2023

I rear ended another car and my truck was totaled. The air bags never deployed and I’ve never had an air bag light come on showing there was an issue. The vehicle was safety checked from the dealer when I bought it but they told me to call Dodge (or whomever owns it). I called them and they said someone would call me in 4 days, well here it is on day 6 and no call.

STEERING — Filed 08/10/2023

My power steering failed Yes available for inspection Power steering would lock up driving down the road which put my life and everybody around me in danger. The warning light didn’t come on until steering completely failed

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/22/2022

The contact owns a 2018 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, she heard an abnormal clicking sound and upon attempting to decrease in speed by depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down. The steering wheel then failed to function and control of the vehicle was lost. As a result, the vehicle careened off the road and into a barrier wall. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the actuator had broken in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

STEERING — Filed 09/28/2023

Three times since January 2023, the steering has locked down while driving. The driver has had no control over steering momentarily. The latest incident caused the vehicle to strike a concrete pillar surrounding a stop sign in a parking lot.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/24/2023

The front air bags did not deploy when I struck a Chevy SUV the front end of my truck. The whole front end is gone and air bags should have deployed

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/24/2023

I was hit on the drivers the pillar immediately hit my head shoulder arm and ribs hard and side curtain airbags never deployed and the other vehicle all theirs deployed

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/02/2022

I was traveling 48 miles per hour when another vehicle pulled in front of me. I was able to apply the brakes and collision was at 18 miles per hour. The police estimate other vehicle traveling 16 miles per hour. Air bags deployed in other vehicle not in my truck causing passenger to sustain head injury both myself and wife sustained injuries to upper torsos

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/05/2022

I was in an accident, I hit a bale of hay doing 65 mph that a local farmer lost off the back of his feed truck. My air bags DID NOT deploy. I never had any warning lights on my dash warning me to service air bags. Thankfully I wasn’t severely injured and walked away with no more then a sore and bruised body and shaken up nerves.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/25/2022

The contact owned a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed head-on with a Ford Focus. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver sustained injuries to his lower back, neck, and head, and medical attention was provided. The passenger seat occupant sustained injuries to her chest, lower back, and head. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot and then to a body shop. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted and sent an investigator to evaluate the vehicle and reported that while driving at 55 mph there was not enough G-force for air bag deployment. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/26/2022

The lights on the dash went out while sitting still. All of them flashed on then off again, a warning light about the transmission came on and then off again. The motor surged and would not stop, the brakes would not work, the shifter would not work. The vehicle surged into oncoming traffic.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 03/12/2022

The contact's husband owned a 2018 Ram 1500. Two years ago, the contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. At the time, the dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. A year later, the dealer called that contact to inform her and that parts slowly coming to their dealer and that she had been placed on a waiting list for the recall repair. Recently, the contact stated that while her husband was driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal; two unknown warning lights also appeared on the instrument panel. As her husband pulled over, a white color smoke began to emit from the engine. Upon lifting up the engine's hood, her husband saw flames coming from under the engine. Her husband immediately called 911 and while on the phone with the dispatcher, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived ten minutes later and extinguished the fire. The contact was uncertain if a fire report was filed; no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics where it was later deemed a total loss. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 05/01/2021

I was driving and my high beams went out dash lights went out and windshield wipers went on on there own . I then came to a stop light and applied the break and all of the sudden the truck red lined and took off at full speed . I then turned the truck off to kill power to the motor due to it having electrical knob shifter and electrical transfer case This accident has caused my 3 hospital stays and 2 surgery’s

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 12/01/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT COVER WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/19/2020

VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH AT APPROX. 40 MPH, ON A COUNTRY ROAD, WITH SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

STRUCTURE — Filed 09/09/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAULING A TRAILER DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE TAIL GATE FRACTURED CAUSING THE TRAILER TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. DAMAGES WHERE TO THE TRAILER LEFT GATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CHANTZ SCOTT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 300 BACHMAN DR, GREENEVILLE, TN 37745 (423) 761-4258) WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALLS WERE UNDER THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V347000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WAITED TO LONG FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/07/2020

I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT, I HIT A PATCH OF ICE ON JUNE 7 TH, 2020 IN UTAH. MY TRUCK CAME UPON THE ICE CAUSING ME TO SLIP AND SLIDE AND ULTIMATELY LEAVE THE ROAD WHERE I HIT A FENCE AND SEVERAL OTHER PIECES OF DEBRIS AND A BERM AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, I HIT MY FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL BREAKING MY NOSE, MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH BROKE RIBS AND OUR BACK. WE COULD OF SAVED OURSELVES MULTIPLE INJURIES IF OUR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*DT*DT*DT*JB*JB*TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — Filed 01/03/2020

FLASHING DASH LIGHTS TPMS WARNINGS TOOK TRUCK IN AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG FEW MONTHS LATER TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY,CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN BUT ADJUSTER SAID POSSIBLE WIRING HARNESS, TRUCK WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING.*DT *TP

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 01/16/2020

I WANT TO REPORT A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONCERN IS ALREADY AWARE BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT I WANT TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL RISK IT PUT OUR FAMILY IN. THE RECALL IS KNOWN AS THE VB! OR NHTSA # 19V-757. WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK TO HAVE A NICE AND RELIABLE CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR 1 YEAR OLD CHILD IN. OUR LAST 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LEFT US STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE WITH OUR KID DUE TO THE COMPUTER TELLING ALL INJECTORS TO STAY OPEN AND RESULTING IN THE MOTOR HYDRO-LOCKING ITSELF. WE TOOK OUT FINANCING TO PURCHASE AND THE GREAT 2018 ECODIESEL DODGE RAM. JUST 2 MONTHS INTO OWNING THIS MY WIFE LOST ALL POWER GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY. SHE REPORTED MASS AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THANK GOD SHE MANAGED TO MERGE OVER ALL LANES AND TO THE BEST OF HER ABILITY WITH NO POWER GOT THE TRUCK OFF THE HIGHWAY BY ABOUT 5 FEET AND THEN QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE MOTOR AND DISTANCED HER SELF FROM THE TRUCK. SHE CALLED ME IN COMPLETE PANIC. THIS STORY WOULD BE MUCH DIFFERENT IF OUR CHILD WAS STRAPPED INTO THE CAR SEAT ON THIS PARTICULAR DRIVE. SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PARKED IN OVER FLOW AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND CONTINUES TO SIT UNTIL FIAT DISCOVERS A CORRECT REPAIR TO THE CRACKING EGR. I WARN YOU TO ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT YOU HAUL DOWN THE ROAD IN YOUR ECODIESEL. THIS IS A REAL CONCERN! DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE VB1 RECALL. THEIR WAS NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AS THE MOTOR WAS QUICKLY SHOT OFF. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND A NEW TURBO IS ALSO NEEDED. I AM NO SURE OF WHAT OTHER INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS ARE NEEDED REPLACEMENT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/02/2019

THE CENTER CONSOLE ON THE TRUCK FREEZE UP, TURN BLUE FOR A FEW THEN RESETS OR TURN BLACK THE RESETS OR WHEN REVERSING THE BACKUP CAMERA FREEZES AND STILL SHOWS THE PICTURE WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR, UCCONECT AND RAM SAID THERE WOULD BE A FIX IN DEC 2019 AND THERE IS STILL NO FIX, LOOKING AT YOUR RECALLS RECALLS FROM THE DEC 2019 NOTICES RECALL UMBER 19V-886 OR CHRYSLER'S UMBER VE2 IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT IS GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 11/19/2019

AFTER FUELING THE TRUCK THE FUEL NOZZLE GETS STUCK IN THE FILLER TUBE. I HAVE TO TWIST AND PULL VERY HARD TO GET THE FUEL NOZZLE OUT OF THE TUBE SPILLING FUEL ON TO THE GROUND AND MYSELF. LOOKING ON YOUTUBE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. I CUT MY FINGER WHILE TRYING TO PULL OUT THE NOZZLE,

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/22/2019

I WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AS I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET WENT TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, BRAKE SYSTEM FLASHED, NO TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE TURNED OFF. ENDED UP IMPACTING 3 OTHER VEHICLES AND A SCHOOL BUS. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ALL PARTIES WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, ALMOST ALL ARE SEEKING REPRESENTATION FROM ATTORNEYS FOR THEIR INJURIES.*DT *AS

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE — Filed 08/08/2019

THE TRUCK WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A DEER IN 2018 THAT DID NOT RESULT IN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY WHEN A DEER RAN OUT AND WAS STRUCK WITH THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IN AUGUST 2019, THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER STRUCK A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. THIS COLLISION ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT DISENGAGE AFTER THE ACCIDENT (THEY STAYED IN THE LOCKED POSITION). AFTER TALKING WITH THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY AND THE AUTO BODY SHOP, THEY FELT THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE SECOND COLLISION AND THE LOCATION SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIR BAGS, BUT IT DID NOT. THE PICTURES AND POLICE REPORT ARE FOR THE SECOND COLLISION.