There are 50 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2018 Ram 1500in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Although the carfax states the EGR Cooler has already been serviced and there are no active recalls at this time, EGR Cooler failure has been determined by an independent service center. The vehicle is available for inspection. A potential fire from the EGR Cooler failure puts the driver's life and any passenger's lives at risk. The symptoms are substantial coolant loss with absence of leakage causing the engine to overheat. This symptom has been present since the time I purchased the vehicle in February 2026.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled but was almost immediately restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the destination and turned off; however, while attempting to restart, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the crankshaft position tone wheel had completely delaminated and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the mechanic that there was a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Several dealers were contact and provided the same information. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, his granddaughter smelled an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact looked out of the rearview mirror and saw heavy white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and had the occupants exit the vehicle. The contact checked under the hood as white smoke filled the engine compartment. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. Due to the failure, the contact initially had the vehicle towed to the residence before it was later towed to an independent mechanic. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the mechanic discovered coolant had leaked into the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler. The mechanic also discovered that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact was informed that any repair to the vehicle would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
The manifold bolts have broken on the engine for the second time. The first time the Dealership fixed it and it has done it again.
Traveling (cruising) at highway speed on interstate the engine suddenly made a clanking noise and engine oil pressure went to zero and engine stopped. I barley managed to just get out of major traffic without causing an accident and off the interstate coasting to a stop This could have been a tragic accident that was just barely avoided.the truck has 80043 miles. Just 43 miles out of warranty. It has been dealer serviced on time since day one. This seems to be an ongoing issue with these engines as they just decide to sop on their own with notice. If this had happened while passing another vehicle It would have been bad. FCA ( fiat, chrysler ,automobiles) refuses to help out or even listen. This is dangerous as is their fuel pump recalls. Truck is now out of warranty by 43 miles and the company FCA washes their hands of any kind of wrong doing. These engines in the vehicles are totally unsafe and unreliable and will some day cause a major death and harm to others !!!! Dealer have new upgraded engines in stock that the company send to them they are fully aware of an impeding disaster but yet dont care about human life.
While driving heard Clicking/Knocking noise then low oil pressure light came on we pulled over and turned truck off then truck would not restart. truck was towed to Dealer which has check truck and decided it was a complete engine failure main bearing. Truck only had 45,000 mile on Engine
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH up a hill, there was an abnormal banging sound come from the vehicle, and the vehicle experienced engine failure. The contact stated there was oil leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that there was a large oil leak on the passenger’s side of the engine. The contact stated that there was a hole on the upper part of the engine and the vehicle was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
Recall Z46 for the High Pressure Fuel Rail. Truck has been down for a month and was told today my truck is still not fixed and they have no clue when the parts will be coming in for the to get my truck done.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel. The contact was informed that the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel had delaminated. No warning lights were illuminated. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Engine failed at 142,000 miles. No prior indications or warning lights. Cam roller failed on cylinder #7 intake causing rod to throw through head cover, and valve to drop into cylinder #7 piston which damaged piston and disable engine. I have been advised that this was caused by the Variable Displacement mode the engine goes into when not under load, for better fuel economy. I have also been advised that this issue is not uncommon for these 5.7 Hemi engines which are advertised to last 200,000 to 300,000 miles. I had to replace engine and loss of use for 4 weeks. Not happy with Chrysler/Ram/Stellantis. I feel mislead/cheated.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics who both stated that the exhaust manifold was warped due to a fractured bolt. The contact was informed that the exhaust manifold needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
The engine seized up at 52,517 miles on February 28, 2025. It was making loud noises on the freeway and was losing significant power. We exited the freeway trying to get to a safe location and the engine froze. I had the engine replaced and the check engine light came on after 40 miles!
While being driven, the ecodiesel engine had a faulty ball bearing that malfunctioned inside the engine. This ball bearing then shot through the middle of the engine and out the bottom of the engine. The service technician at our local dealership inspected the engine and compared this to a "bullet under too much pressure due to a fault within the engine." He then said we "were lucky the ball bearing hadn't shot upwards through the floorboards." Not only could we have been at risk, other passing vehicles could have been shot with the ball bearing; this event could have led to wrecks and possible fatalities. The engine was completely destroyed by this defective ball bearing and cannot be rebuilt. No lights or messages appeared after the ball bearing shot through, even though the oil began draining instantly. The truck was pulled over and turned off before all the oil drained to prevent damage to the engine, which was already destroyed without us knowing.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, which caused engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.
Engine started knocking at 65mph. Slowed to find a safe place to pull out of traffic lane. Before pulling over engine stopped but was able to get completely off the road. My safety was not directly at risk but had to wait at the side of the road for 4 hours waiting for tow. The dealer stated they have no idea what failed. The engine has not been inspected. The dealer told me I would have to pay to have it torn apart to find out what failed. There were no warnings except the engine knock. Oil pressure was normal, was not overheating and no check engine light. My safety could have been at risk had I been trying to pull out into traffic. Dealer has been doing all of the scheduled oil changes and inspections. I thought this may have something to do with recall 66A/NHTSA 23V-411. Dealer stated that could not be the reason as that recall fix is a software update?
I have a 2018 Ram, with the 5.7 hemi. I purchased it new in November 2017. I currently have just over 53,000 miles and began to hear a ticking sound on startup that lessened upon driving but never completely gone and could smell exhaust fumes in the passenger compartment. I took this to an independent service center and they reported that two or the rear bolts have broken off that secure the exhaust manifold and the gasket has been damaged. The mechanic states that this is quite common but not a recalled area from the manufacturer. The repair will cost close to $1,000.00 to repair. I do not understand that if this is a common and well known and documented problem and can be a huge safety risk due to the leaking of carbon monoxide into the passenger compartment, why hasn't this t been listed as a safety recall. I now understand that RAM is also discontinuing the production of the 5.7 hemi engine, are these type problems related?
I was driving this [XXX] ecodiesel truck and it threw a rod on a sketchy windy road on a mountain pass. I was told 65 mile tow one way, 90 the other; I chose the former (Liberty Mutual said they’d reimburse $20 of my over $250 tow) thanks again! Not.)). Brought it to Ram in Show Low Arizona, Eric McGraw the service manager was terrific and communicated with me as much as he could. Unfortunately, they said the engine was out of power train warranty (I was at 99,840 miles at time of engine failure), “by time not miles.” I had to call FCA directly and get a [XXX] case manager, Josh who was also stellar in my opinion. 9 weeks; 9 weeks without my truck. That’s 7 total payments for it to what? Sit unfixed while FCA struggled with their top leadership? I bought this [XXX] ecodiesel engine because it was a diesel and diesels are notorious for having higher mileage capability; AND THEN to have everyone at Ram to FCA point fingers, shrug shoulders, and keep me waiting at my own expense; was simply intolerable to me. Luckily, FCA told me Ram would cover %65 of the repair (which is generous, but a slap in the face when I bought a supposed long life diesel from one of the top diesel companies in this country, and then to not cover the whole thing? BEFORE 100k miles?! So I paid $7000 out of pocket for this new engine. There was a lawsuit earlier which details how FCA settled in court over this same model “only 2014-2016 models” supposedly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
my vehicle started knocking loudly, the all of a sudden I lost power on a 4 lane highway causeing other vehicles to swerve around me. this could have been a accident if the road conditions were icy such as they are in Alberta. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership, the connecting Rods were in the bottom of the oil pan. since this incident I have learned of 2 other Eco diesels that had the same thing happen to them. These people are my friends and close aqauintences. So there must be more if I know 3 Eco diesels personally on my town.
Our truck only has 70,000 miles on it. My husband is a mechanic and has taken very good care of the truck. While traveling a few weeks ago the truck just started to miss and died. We lost all power. I am still under warranty thankfully. But I have read about all of the engines issues that are happening with this year and model. When is something going to be done about the engine failure? We could have died if we were on a busy highway. This is a very dangerous issue. I won’t know what the issue is until I get it to the dealer. The issue is not coming up on the scanner that is used by the automotive shop that my husband works at. I really think that is an issue within itself also. Does someone have to die to be able to get this resolved? I am now thinking I will sale my vehicle when it gets fixed. I can’t take any chances as we just bought a camping trailer and I can’t imagine breaking down towing that. I’m going to be the big loser in this situation as I will probably lose money selling it. Please step up and help us owners out with the known issues about this vehicle engine issues and issues the proper recall.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026