CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace or Flash Update Performed, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P057B Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Performance, P1572 Brake Pedal Stuck, C0042-54 Brake Pedal Missing Calibration
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 RAM 1500 brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2018 RAM 1500 have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 1500 | 103 |
| 2015 1500 | 90 |
| 2016 1500 | 161 |
| 2017 1500 | 47 |
| 2018 1500 (this page) | 26 |
| 2019 1500 | 65 |
| 2020 1500 | 17 |
| 2021 1500 | 39 |
2crashes
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P208B ? Reductant Pump 1 Control Performance, and/or P20E8 ? Reductant Pressure Too Low, Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P208B ? Reductant Pump 1 Control Performance, and/or P20E8 ? Reductant Pressure Too Low, Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PLATE - CLUTCH PRESSURE For 68RFE trans use selective fit pressure plates between the overdrive and reverse clutch packs and hence use all three 52119929A$, 52119930A$, 04799116A$ maintain clearance For 65RFE & 66RFE no selectives for this pressure plate: 65RFE use 04799116A$ 66RFE use 52119929A$
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PLATE - CLUTCH PRESSURE For 68RFE trans use selective fit pressure plates between the overdrive and reverse clutch packs and hence use all three 52119929A$, 52119930A$, 04799116A$ maintain clearance For 65RFE & 66RFE no selectives for this pressure plate: 65RFE use 04799116A$ 66RFE use 52119929A$
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Ram 1500 brake system complaints center on a widespread ABS control module defect that owners say renders their trucks unsafe and unrepairable. The module failure triggers multiple warning lights—ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, and brake system indicators—and disables anti-lock braking and traction control simultaneously. Some owners report complete loss of brake pressure, seizure of rear brakes during wet-weather braking, and spontaneous front-brake application at all speeds. One owner collided with a cement mixer after losing all brake pressure; another had a rear brake seizure that caused hydroplaning into an intersection at 113,000 miles.
Owners universally report that replacement modules are unavailable from dealers and have been on backorder for over a year. Part numbers cited include 68437098AB and 68143491AA. Repair costs range from $800 to $2,000. Even when remanufactured modules are sourced, they may fail VIN programming. Owners note that this exact defect triggered recalls for 2017–2018 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks (Campaign 24V-896) and a class action settlement—but the 1500 was excluded despite identical symptoms. MOPAR told one owner parts are being re-engineered with no availability until Q4 of the reported year. Dealers claim low inventory demand makes stocking impossible. Several owners report that replacement modules fail again within months.
Same RAM 1500 brakes reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
ABS Control Module Failure
The ABS control module malfunctions, triggering warning lights and disabling the anti-lock braking system. Some owners report the module is unavailable from dealer inventory and has been on backorder for over a year. Remanufactured modules may not accept VIN programming. Owners cite part numbers 68437098AB and 68143491AA. Repair cost ranges from $800 to $2,000 reported by owners.
When: Failures documented from 20,000 to 141,000 miles; no specific pattern cited in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Loss of anti-lock braking function; Traction control failure; Electronic Stability Control warning light; Brake warning light illuminated; Check trailer brake message displayed
Codes mentioned: C2200-49, 68437098AB (ABS Module), 68143491AA (Control ABS Module)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement ABS control module costs $800–$2,000 per owner reports. Dealers report parts on backorder indefinitely. Remanufactured modules may fail VIN programming. Some owners report replacement with identical parts that fail again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2017–2018 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 (Campaign 24V-896); 2018 Ram 1500 excluded. Class action settlement reached for 2500/3500 but not 1500. MOPAR stated parts are being re-engineered with no availability until Q4. Dealers told parts unavailable for indefinite period due to low inventory demand.
Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) Failure
The hydraulic control unit malfunctions, disabling ABS and traction control systems. Owners report this is a known defect covered by recall for 2500/3500 but not the 1500 series. HCU failure results in loss of brake modulation in wet or slippery conditions, creating a safety hazard.
When: Mileage not specified in narratives; intermittent initially then constant
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illuminated; Electronic Stability Control light illuminated; Loss of ABS function; Loss of traction control; Intermittent loss of ABS and traction control initially, then constant; Reduced braking function in wet or slippery conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite $2,000 repair cost. Part replacement required but not specified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2017–2018 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 (Campaign 24V-896) addressing HCU defect. 2018 Ram 1500 excluded despite same defect. Class action lawsuit settled for 2500/3500 trucks but not 1500.
ABS Pump Motor Seizure
The electric motor brushes on the ABS pump seize, causing the pump to stop working and disabling the ABS system. This failure develops intermittently before complete stoppage.
When: Develops intermittently during driving, then stops working completely; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: ABS control pump stops working; Intermittent failure while driving, progressing to complete stoppage; ABS disabled; Traction control disabled; Trailer brake system disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Repair details not provided in narratives. Owners report this is a common failure on this model year.
Complete Brake Pressure Loss
Brake pedal loses all pressure and becomes unresponsive during braking, forcing the driver to pump brakes with no effect. One owner reported a crash into a cement mixer after losing brakes completely on a country road.
When: Occurred without warning during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: No brake pedal pressure when depressed; No response to brake pedal pumping; Complete loss of braking ability
Repairs/costs cited: Resulted in collision; vehicle damage not repaired in narrative. No repair cost cited.
Rear Brake Seizure in Wet Conditions
Rear brakes seize during braking in rainy weather, causing the vehicle to hydroplane into an intersection. The ABS module was identified as the cause and required replacement, but parts were on backorder.
When: At approximately 113,000 miles during rainy weather
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes seized during hard brake application; Vehicle hydroplaned into intersection; ABS warning light illuminated; Traction control warning light illuminated; Brake system warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement required; parts on backorder. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware and case opened. Owner referenced NHTSA Campaign 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) but VIN not included in recall.
Spontaneous Front Brake Application
Front brakes apply randomly by themselves at all speeds, causing violent shaking of the front end and forcing the driver to pull over. Condition occurs intermittently and has persisted for over a year. Only remedy is disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes to reset the system.
When: At 27,000 miles; ongoing for over one year intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Front brakes apply randomly without driver input; Violent shaking of front end; Occurs at all speeds; Intermittent but recurring condition
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Temporary reset requires disconnecting negative battery terminal for 20 minutes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and Chrysler Corp representatives stated they had never heard of this issue and claimed it was isolated to this truck.
Vehicle Rolling on Incline Without Brake Engagement
Vehicle rolls backward on a hill multiple times while parked and unoccupied, eventually rolling backward while occupied with driver's daughter inside. No warning lights illuminated. Suggests brake holding failure or parking brake malfunction related to ABS/brake system electronics.
When: At 20,000 miles; occurred five times, most recent with occupant inside
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward on incline while parked unoccupied; Vehicle rolls backward on incline while occupied; No warning lights illuminated; No visual brake failure indicators
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired. Crashed into neighbor's tree (minor damage) and rolled back with occupant inside.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer provided no assistance and did not diagnose. Manufacturer made aware but did not assist.
Brake Pedal Seizure During Stop Attempt
Brake pedal seizes when depressed, preventing the driver from stopping the vehicle. One narrative describes brake pedal seizing and another describes brake pedal becoming seized during a stop, though symptoms vary slightly between reports.
When: Mileage varies; one at 141,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal seizes when depressed; Brake pedal becomes seized during hard stop; ABS warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: One owner was told front wheel hubs needed replacement and vehicle was repaired, but failure persisted. No further repair attempted.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
During a road trip we exited the highway and suddenly we have a flat tire on Front right of vehicle. We saw no object in the tire it was just flat. We change the tire with our spare and got back on the road on the way home. After the first flat the Service Antilock Braking System and alternated to Service Electronic Brake System messages aper as well as the cruse control not working. After…
Had brakes 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 brakes problem on the 2018 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 26 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 66,523 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.