Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 RAM 1500 body problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More. The Noise Can Be Present In Either The Upper Or The Lower Hinge.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2018 Ram 1500 owners describe recurring body and structural failures. Windshields crack easily—one owner's replacement OEM unit fractured from a small rock chip at 30 mph normal driving speeds, and the dealer pinned responsibility on the rock impact rather than acknowledging any manufacturing defect. Tailgates fail structurally (one fractured at 30 mph under trailer load, causing collision) and open randomly while driving, spilling cargo. A recall exists (NHTSA 19V347000 for latches/locks/linkages) but was apparently not applied to all affected VINs.
Water intrusion is widespread and persistent. Rear windows drain improperly, pushing water back into the cabin and causing mold. Under-seat storage areas flood from rainfall and carwashes. One owner has taken the truck to the shop three times for interior leaks that remain unresolved despite dealership repairs including gasket replacement and carpet replacement. Subwoofers and heated seat components are damaged by standing water. Seat bolts show rust, indicating long-term moisture exposure. A Mopar agent acknowledged the rear window defect but only issued partial recalls for certain VINs, leaving others unresolved. One owner also found fuel tank mounting straps corroded and frame rot preventing reattachment. Paint defects on new units were dismissed by FCA.
Same RAM 1500 body reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield fragility and premature cracking
Owners report windshields developing and propagating cracks from minor impacts and objects at low speed (30 mph). One owner had an initial star-shaped crack spread completely across the glass after a light contact with a wiper, and a replacement OEM windshield cracked again from a small rock chip at 30 mph. Dealer attributed the crack to the rock chip itself with no manufacturing defect acknowledged; manufacturer refused warranty coverage.
When: Within first month of purchase and subsequently; one failure at 30 mph normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Star-shaped crack in windshield spreading across full width; New cracks from minor rock impacts at low speed; Rapid crack propagation from small impacts
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced windshield with OEM Mopar unit; subsequent failures required replacement at owner's expense
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer directed to authorized dealer for inspection; dealer found no defect; manufacturer refused warranty coverage citing rock chip impact as cause of failure
Tailgate structural failure and unintended opening
Owners report tailgates fracturing under load (one failed at 30 mph while hauling a trailer, causing trailer collision) and randomly opening during operation including while driving. Failures resulted in unsecured cargo loss and secondary damage to trailer and tailgate itself.
When: Approximately 71,000 miles for fracture failure; random openings occur during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate fracture under trailer load at low speed; Tailgate randomly opens while driving; Loss of cargo from bed due to tailgate opening; Secondary damage to trailer and tailgate structure
Repairs/costs cited: Tailgate replaced; repairs performed at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 19V347000 (latches/locks/linkages) mentioned as possible solution by owner but not applied to VIN; manufacturer told owner she waited too long for recall repair
Rear window water infiltration and drain design defect
Owners report rear window drain system fails to function properly, pushing water back into the vehicle interior rather than draining it. Water accumulation leads to mold growth in cabin. Owner states Mopar admitted the window design was defective but only issued partial recall covering some VINs, leaving other affected vehicles unresolved. Owner cites numerous complaints on forums and NHTSA site indicating widespread issue.
When: Not specified; appears to be chronic issue throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from rear window into cabin; Water pooling in interior; Mold growth throughout interior; Non-functional drain system
Repairs/costs cited: Mopar offered free replacement glass for affected VINs only; replacement not yet available with no ETA provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mopar admitted window defect; partial recall issued covering some VINs only; replacement glass in short supply with no ETA
Interior water infiltration and drainage failures
Owners report persistent water leaking into the cabin, particularly in the rear under-seat storage area and affecting heated rear seat assemblies and subwoofer components. Dealership repairs have been unsuccessful—truck has been serviced multiple times for the same leak issue without permanent resolution. Water damage has destroyed or damaged carpet, subwoofer, and seat bolts (which show rust), indicating standing water and poor drainage design.
When: Recurring issue across multiple visits; mold and repeated damage indicate chronic condition
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling under heated back seats; Water leaking into under-seat storage; Wet carpet from rainfall and carwash drainage; Mold growth in cabin and on carpet; Water damage to subwoofer and electrical components; Rust on seat bolts and fasteners
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced brake light assembly, rear cab gasket, and carpet; subwoofer replaced once already; issues recur after each repair
Fuel tank mounting strap failure and frame corrosion
Owner reports fuel tank mounting strap came loose from frame, causing tank to drop. Mechanic found frame was rotted out, leaving no adequate attachment point for repair. Owner indicates a recall exists for this issue but had to discover it independently.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel tank mounting strap loose or detached; Fuel tank drop or sag; Frame corrosion preventing reattachment
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic unable to repair due to frame rot; recall repair needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for this issue per owner statement
Paint defects
Owner reports new truck arrived with multiple paint quality issues. Manufacturer refused to address or warranty the defects.
When: Present from delivery; brand new truck
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple paint defects on new vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA refused to address paint defects
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2018 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2018 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 33,018 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.