Service electronic brakes, traction control, and service trailer brakes light stays on.
2018 RAM 2500 electrical problems
moderate 434 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
434
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
4crashes
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of RAM 2500 we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 434.
Owners have filed 434 electrical 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most common complaint by far is the ABS and traction control system failing intermittently or permanently, starting as early as 3,000 miles or as late as 85,000 miles. The warning lights flash on and off—sometimes every 1–2 seconds, sometimes several times a day—accompanied by a constant dinging alarm. When this happens, ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, and cruise control all disable. Owners towing trailers or driving in wet or snow report loss of braking assist and vehicle slides they barely controlled.
Diagnosis points to a failed Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) or ABS Control Module. The manufacturer issued Recall 24V-896 in late 2024, but as of early 2025, no replacement parts are available anywhere; dealers report backorders of 3–6+ months with no firm ETA. Some owners were told parts wouldn't arrive until mid-2024, then August, then no date at all. Repair costs run $800–$2,000 when parts can be found. Even owners with extended warranties have been denied coverage because parts are unavailable; some paid diagnostic fees ($175–$1,000) only to have dealers reset the code, which returned within minutes.
A smaller but serious problem involves the touchscreen infotainment system delaminating, skipping inputs randomly, and turning on seat heaters, switching radio stations, or making phone calls because the screen interprets road vibration as touches. One owner's screen loss led to a complete electrical power failure; another had the unit replaced twice with the same failure recurring.
One owner experienced a sudden complete HCU failure on a snowy road that caused a $17,000 collision, and one had electronic throttle control fail to full throttle. Multiple owners report they've had to park their trucks permanently due to the braking defect, unable to afford repairs or sell them in this condition.
Same RAM 2500 electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
ABS/Traction Control/Cruise Control System Failures with Flashing Warnings and Audible Alarms
Intermittent or persistent ABS and traction control warning lights flash on and off with constant audible alarm/dinging. Loss of ABS functionality, traction control, and cruise control occurs when warnings are active. Some owners report the lights stay on permanently; others experience them cycling multiple times per second or several times per trip. Affects braking ability and vehicle stability, especially in wet/slippery conditions or when towing.
When: Reported from under 3,000 miles to 85,000 miles; most commonly in the 30,000–70,000 mile range. Some failures occur within first few months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light flashing on/off intermittently or staying on permanently; Traction Control warning light flashing on/off intermittently or staying on permanently; Service Electronic Braking System message on dash; Service Antilock Brake System message on dash; Constant or frequent audible alarm/dinging/beeping while driving; Cruise control disabled or randomly disengaging; Loss of ABS functionality; Loss of traction control functionality; Loss of electronic stability control (ESC); Rapid on/off cycling of warnings (every 1–2 seconds or faster in severe cases); Intermittent or unpredictable activation (some days frequent, others none); Sudden loss of cruise control at highway speeds; Rear-end slide or loss of vehicle control when brakes applied lightly; Issues worsened by wet roads, high humidity, or rain conditions
Codes mentioned: C0020-01, C0020-16, C0020-21
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships diagnose defective Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and/or ABS Control Module requiring replacement. Owners report repair costs of $800–$2,000 when parts are available. Multiple owners had same repair fail again within months or years. One owner paid $525.02 for part (MSRP $262.00) due to dealer price gouging. Some repairs covered under warranty on early failures; later failures often out of warranty. Independent shops can diagnose but cannot obtain Mopar parts; dealer software blocks independent scanning.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall C4B / NHTSA 24V-896 issued for HCU failure affecting ABS, ESC, and traction control. Remedy listed as 'not currently available' as of February 2026. Parts on national backorder with no firm ETA. Multiple TSBs issued (TSB C0020-01). FCA reportedly reimbursing some owners who paid out of pocket, but parts unavailable for recall remedy. Extended warranties denied due to parts unavailability. Diagnostic fees ($175–$1,000) charged when parts cannot be obtained.
Brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) Complete Failure
HCU fails suddenly and completely, causing immediate and total loss of ABS, ESC, and traction control without warning. One owner experienced rear-end slide while towing fifth wheel camper; another spun out on snowy road and collided with jersey barrier causing $17,000 in damage. Loss of brake assist and inability to control vehicle in low-traction conditions poses imminent crash risk.
When: One incident at 21:30 hours on snow-covered road at 25 mph after HCU had been recently replaced with 'old stock' part. Another towing fifth wheel camper on rock road with light brake pressure.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden total loss of ABS functionality; Sudden total loss of ESC functionality; Sudden total loss of traction control functionality; Rear brakes lock up; Vehicle uncontrollable spin or slide; Dashboard warning lights illuminate immediately after failure (no prior warning); No pulsating in brake pedal (ABS not functioning)
Codes mentioned: HCU failure confirmed by dealership diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: Requires HCU replacement. One owner reported being told new unit was 'old stock' and would 'most likely fail,' which it did. Owner paid for replacement; $17,000 in vehicle damage from collision; currently experiencing lower back pain from incident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage for repeat failures after initial replacement. Recall 24V-896 issued 12/08/2024; owner first noticed issue 05/08/2024. As of 01/07/2025, no remedy or timeline provided.
Infotainment/Touchscreen System Malfunction
Touchscreen unresponsive, delaminating, or skipping/jumping around screen. Screen separating from unit. System cannot be turned off and controls entertainment, climate, seat heaters, and phone connectivity. Separation causes random inputs due to road vibration, triggering unintended actions (calling people, changing stations, switching climate modes). One owner's screen delaminated at 28,000 miles and later flashed/acted strangely before causing complete electrical power loss.
When: Delamination observed as early as 28,000 miles (February 2022). Screen separation and malfunction issues reported across various mileages. Electronic control unit failures reported at ~33,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen delaminating from unit; Touchscreen unresponsive or skipping around; Screen flashing and acting strangely; System cannot be turned off; Seat heaters turning on/off unexpectedly; Radio stations switching back and forth; Volume changing unexpectedly; Radio making random phone calls; Parking sensors turning on/off while driving; Climate control turning on full heat then full cool; Navigation selecting random points; Phone contacts appearing on screen and auto-dialing; Mirrors opening/closing independently; Windows activating independently; Electronic control unit reset itself
Codes mentioned: Electronic control unit failure
Repairs/costs cited: Touchscreen unit or entire infotainment/electronic control unit requires replacement at cost over $1,000–$1,800. One owner declined $1,000+ replacement when screen was merely delaminating but still functional. Later, screen flashed/malfunctioned and vehicle lost electrical power. Some repairs performed but failures persisted; second dealer also replaced unit with same result.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed delamination is a known issue. No recall issued. Replacement part cost >$1,000 per owner report. Dealers confirmed this is becoming a common problem but unclear if replacement parts have been modified to eliminate the defect.
Electronic Throttle Control Failure (Full Throttle Condition)
Electronic throttle control failed while vehicle on cruise control, causing engine to go to full throttle. Vehicle accelerated uncontrollably; stepping on gas pedal had no effect. Required application of brakes to stop while engine remained at full throttle.
When: While operating on cruise control; mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control failed; Vehicle went to full throttle unexpectedly; Stepping on gas pedal had no effect on throttle response; Engine remained at full throttle despite brake application; Warning message: 'Service Electronic Throttle Control'; Vehicle took very long time to stop
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle operated normally after restart; no permanent fix described by owner. Issue occurred twice during towing to dealership.
Emissions/Aftertreatment System Failures (DEF, SCR, DPF)
Repeated emissions system component failures including DEF dosing issues, SCR/DPF system faults, and repeated warning messages. Vehicle threatens or enters speed-limiting derate mode, which poses safety hazard when towing or driving at highway speeds. Owner reports well-maintained truck with no modifications.
When: Multiple failures over past year; mileage not specified in detail.
Symptoms owners cite: DEF dosing issues; SCR system faults; DPF system faults; Repeated emissions warning messages; Threat of speed-limiting derate mode; Actual entry into derate mode
Repairs/costs cited: Local RAM dealers have limited ability to service these issues in timely manner; appointments often weeks out. Owner concerned about vehicle suddenly losing power or becoming unsafe, especially when towing or in rural areas with limited service availability.
Synthesized from 434 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The ABS module is defective on my truck which controls the antilock brakes, Anti slip function, and the cruise control. Dealer ship has diagnosed problem and ordered parts but the parts have been on back order for quite sometime with no ETA from RAM when parts will be available. My dealer ship says they currently are wating on 25 parts for different vehicles with same problem.
At around 74,000 miles in December of 2023, a warning to "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service Antilock Brake System" started to show up on the screen of my 2018 Ram 2500 6.7. The truck was taken to a Ram dealership and the fix to the problem was determined to be replacement of the ABS module in addition to replacement of the HCU. Apparently, the ABS module is faulty and is causing the…
ABS/Traction Control warning alarm constantly going off, and affecting cruise control.
Recall/Campaign: Ram/Stellantis C4B Problem: “Dealer says remedy/parts are not available / cannot schedule recall repair.” This has been a problem since 2023. Have not had ABS for years or 4x4 and i live in a snow environment. My breaks and rotors are trash from not having ABS.
ABS system and traction control lights turn off and on intermittently. ABS pump and module have already been replaced and issue is still happening
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 RAM 2500?
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 electrical problem on the 2018 RAM 2500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 434 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 9,000 and 38,623 miles, with the median around 26,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,000; a quarter make it past 38,623. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2500.
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.