I purchased a new 2018 Ram Truck with an ECO Diesel engine. The engine has undergone multiple recall repairs including one for the EGR that could cause a potential fire hazard. The truck has been in service for multiple engine related issues since I purchased the vehicle. It has continuously had a rampant smell of antifreeze inside the cab of the vehicle which has made me feel sick on occasions…
2018 RAM 1500 powertrain problems
severe 48 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
48
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
4injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 48 powertrain 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.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When driving the check engine light came on, the car slowed up and would not start after. I had the truck towed to the dealership. The service manager told me the high pressure fuel pump shattered and shot metal debris through the system. The High Pressure Fuel Pump is not available even though it is on a recall list. I contacted Chrysler customer service, the representative essentially told me…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2018 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 48 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 17,500 and 77,130 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,500; a quarter make it past 77,130. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.