Guidelines For The Use Of Alternative Diesel Fuels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 RAM 1500 fuel system problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 RAM 1500 have filed 43 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system, typically surfacing around 75,000 miles at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 1500 | 49 |
| 2015 1500 | 63 |
| 2016 1500 | 72 |
| 2017 1500 | 30 |
| 2018 1500 (this page) | 43 |
| 2019 1500 | 17 |
| 2020 1500 | 28 |
| 2021 1500 | 26 |
When does it fail?
Of the 43 fuel system complaints filed for the 2018 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 fuel system 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 fuel system 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.
Hard To Fill With Fuel This bulletin involves replacing the fuel tank. Customers may experience one or more of the following:Hard, difficult, or unable to fill the fuel tank. Fuel nozzle shuts off prematurely before the fuel tank is full. Fuel spits or spills out while filling the fuel tank.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer concern includes Mil-On/Check Engine Lamp-On. There also may or may not be driveability-related concerns that accompany the Mil-On condition. Upon further investigation, there may be a fault code for P062A-FUEL PUMP CONTROL PERFORMANCE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Engine Oil Filter Interchangeability
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaning Procedure
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Ram 1500 diesel trucks report a cluster of fuel system failures tied to NHTSA Campaign 22V406000. The primary issue is high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure, which causes sudden loss of motive power, stalling at speed, and no-start conditions. Affected vehicles exhibit limp mode, check engine lights, throttle control warnings, and electronic fuel pressure failure codes. At least one vehicle showed the HPFP operating at half required pressure. Some owners describe shuddering and unexpected acceleration/deceleration before stall events.
A critical complication: when the HPFP fails, metal shavings contaminate the fuel system, requiring replacement of fuel rails, fuel lines, and injectors. One owner's engine block was so contaminated that engine replacement became necessary.
The dealer network cannot complete repairs because recall parts remain unavailable despite customers receiving recall notifications—a parts distribution disconnect that has persisted long enough for owners to consider manufacturer response unreasonable. One owner reported waiting four days for manufacturer guidance after a defective part was installed from a recall kit. Several owners also report fuel filler neck issues where the pump nozzle sticks during refueling, and one report of a fractured front fuel tank support strap causing the tank to hang from the rear strap only.
Mileage at failure ranges from 12,800 to 189,000 miles. Many vehicles remain unrepaired months after notification.
Same RAM 1500 fuel system reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
HPFP fails, causing sudden loss of motive power, stalling at speed, inability to restart, and fuel system contamination with metal shavings. Engines may need replacement if contamination is severe.
When: 12,800 to 189,000 miles; scattered across ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle stalling without warning at 15–70 MPH; Check engine light and electronic fuel pressure failure codes; Throttle control warning lights; Vehicle unable to restart or fail-to-start conditions; Shuddering and unexpected acceleration/deceleration before stall; HPFP operating at half required pressure (code reader confirms); Limp mode activation; Oil on engine block and diesel fuel odor in engine compartment (post-contamination)
Codes mentioned: Electronic control warning (limp mode trigger), Check engine light, Throttle control warning, Electronic fuel pressure failure code, HPFP pressure code
Repairs/costs cited: HPFP replacement required; fuel rails, fuel lines, and fuel injectors must be replaced due to metal shaving contamination. Engine replacement necessary in at least one case. Dealer states parts unavailable for recall repair (Campaign 22V406000). One repair cost split 50/50 with manufacturer; another owner declined 50/50 offer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) issued but parts remain unavailable. Dealers confirm parts on backorder or not yet distributed. Manufacturer offers to cover half repair cost in limited cases but denies warranty coverage in others. Manufacturer directed one owner to NHTSA Hotline.
Fuel filler neck / fuel nozzle sticking
Fuel pump nozzle becomes stuck or difficult to remove during refueling; gasoline may spill. Requires forceful manual extraction.
When: 4,600 to 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel pump nozzle sticks in filler neck during refueling; Difficulty removing nozzle from fuel tank; Gasoline spillage; Abnormal clicking sound from fuel pump on lower setting; Fuel spilling when pump on high setting
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Dealer directed owner to manufacturer; manufacturer directed owner to NHTSA. One vehicle not taken for diagnostic testing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Directed owner to NHTSA Hotline; no warranty claim or repair action documented.
Fuel tank support strap fracture
Front strap holding up fuel tank fractured, leaving fuel tank hanging from rear strap only.
When: 95,544 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front fuel tank support strap fractured; Fuel tank hanging off vehicle, secured only by rear strap
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle started vibrating and almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and a warning light for the throttle body was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and was able to drive off…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) had failed. The fuel system…
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2018 RAM 1500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 55,000 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 113,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.