Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illumination (MIL). Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P203E ? Reductant Level Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent-Erratic Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 RAM 1500 lighting problems
severe Owners of the 2018 RAM 1500 have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 1500 | 19 |
| 2015 1500 | 21 |
| 2016 1500 | 7 |
| 2017 1500 | 6 |
| 2018 1500 (this page) | 5 |
| 2019 1500 | 11 |
| 2020 1500 | 7 |
| 2021 1500 | 6 |
1fire
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of RAM 1500 we track for lighting problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (5).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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 Illumination (MIL). Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P203E ? Reductant Level Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent-Erratic Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗3.0L Diesel Crankshaft Tone Wheel Loss of Signal - X94 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the crankshaft tone wheel. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation, a technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: P0335-00 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit. P0336-00 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Performance. Customers may also comment on one or more of the following: The vehicle will not accelerate quickly over 80 kph (50 mph) (vehicle is in limp mode). Vehicle periodically stalls.This symptom/condition is caused from missing magnetic material on the crankshaft tone wheel
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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2018 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 27,433 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.