Steering Drag Link If drag link had been welded due to V06 recall repair and there is an alignment concern, prior to drag link replacement ensure that the welded draglink toe setting procedure has been followed first. ~ ~ Service Library: 02 - Front Suspen
View on NHTSA →2018 RAM 2500 suspension problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of RAM 2500 in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
View on NHTSA →Rear Axle Vibration, Shudder Or Chatter This bulletin involves changing the rear axle lube to possibly address a chatter, shudder or vibration. The customer may describe the following: A chatter, shudder, or vibration from the rear axle during turns. This ma
View on NHTSA →Chatter, Shudder, or Vibration From Rear Axle During Turns
View on NHTSA →Chatter, Shudder, or Vibration From Rear Axle During Turns
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Ram 2500 trucks report several distinct suspension and brake system concerns. The most alarming: wheel stud failure, with one owner's rear driver-side wheel completely detaching at highway speed while towing, missing all studs. Another owner experienced violent front-end shaking at 50 mph with complete steering control loss, caused by flat-spotted tires. A third reports ongoing vibration through the steering wheel between 55–80 mph across all road surfaces and load conditions.
Antilock brake system (ABS) and hydraulic control unit (HCU) failures appear widespread. Multiple owners cite ABS warning lights coming on intermittently or continuously, with one stuck waiting over a year for a recalled HCU replacement; dealers report the part is backordered. One owner attempted to return the truck due to brake system module unavailability out of warranty and feels unsafe operating the vehicle.
Air suspension issues are also reported: one owner received a service warning for air ride suspension with fully inflated airbags and notes other forum users describe this as a known problem without an issued recall. One owner references a safety recall V06 alignment procedure that welds an adjustable steering component permanently—he sees the resulting welds rusting and prone to cracking as a safety concern.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wheel stud failure and detachment
Rear driver-side wheel studs missing or failed, causing complete wheel detachment while towing at highway speed. Owner recovered failed studs and documented incident with photos.
When: 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Wheel detached and rolled away during towing at 48-55 mph; Studs visibly missing upon inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Owner planning to replace remaining studs and document. Vehicle not yet repaired by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V398000 (WHEELS) referenced by owner; dealer and manufacturer not formally notified
Violent front-end vibration and steering control loss
Front end shakes violently without warning at moderate highway speed, causing complete loss of steering control. Dealer diagnosed flat-spotted tires on all four wheels.
When: 4,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking in front end; Complete loss of steering wheel control; All four tires developed flat spots
Repairs/costs cited: Tires identified as needing replacement; vehicle left at independent mechanic for further diagnosis, not yet repaired
Ongoing suspension vibration through steering wheel
Continuous vibration felt throughout steering wheel at speeds between 55–80 mph, consistent across all road surfaces and driving conditions regardless of vehicle load.
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration and shaking in steering wheel; Occurs at 55–80 mph; Present on asphalt, concrete, upgrades, downgrades, straightaways, and turns; Persists under heavy load, light load, and empty
ABS system malfunction and warning light
Antilock brake system warning light comes on intermittently or continuously with no obvious cause. One owner reports inability to get brake system hydraulic control and module parts due to backorder status.
Symptoms owners cite: Service ABS electronic light coming on intermittently or continuously; ABS/traction control warning messages; Brake system module unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Owner attempted vehicle return due to parts unavailability out of warranty; brake system hydraulic control and module backordered at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recall issue; parts not available; owner remains out of warranty
Hydraulic control unit (HCU) failure
HCU failure triggers continuous ABS and traction control warnings. One owner waiting over one year for recalled part replacement with no remedy available from manufacturer.
Symptoms owners cite: Constant dinging for no traction control and ABS; HCU failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states this is a recalled item, but FCA has not provided a remedy after over one year of waiting
Air ride suspension malfunction
Service warning for air ride suspension triggered despite airbags being fully inflated. Owner notes multiple forum reports of same issue with no issued recall.
Symptoms owners cite: Service air ride suspension message; Airbags fully inflated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM reportedly aware of problem per owner research, but no recall issued
Steering wheel alignment weld cracking and rust
Safety recall V06 performed an alignment by permanently welding an adjustable steering component. Owner reports the resulting welds are rusting and prone to cracking, creating a potential safety hazard.
Symptoms owners cite: Welds on steering component rusting; Welds prone to cracking; Steering wheel misalignment after recall procedure
Repairs/costs cited: Permanent weld applied to adjustable steering part as part of safety recall V06; multiple shops refused alignment work citing inability to correct without misaligning steering wheel
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA-approved remedy for safety recall V06 involving permanent weld on steering component
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2018 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 45,000 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.