In September 2023 I started getting a warning to service the ABS system. The warning and associated annoying tone would appear and than disappear at different times. I spoke with the service manager from Lithia Dodge where I purchased the truck. He told me that he was unable to service my truck because the ABS parts are not available. I was told that like a great number of Ram truck owners, I…
2018 RAM 3500 cruise control problems
moderate 58 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
58
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of RAM 3500 we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 58.
Owners have filed 58 cruise control 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
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Ram 3500's ABS and cruise control system has a well-documented defect (recall C4B) affecting the hydraulic control unit and ABS module, causing intermittent loss of ABS, traction control, and cruise control—a serious safety issue when towing. As of early 2025, the manufacturer has issued a recall but no remedy is available, with parts backordered indefinitely and multiple owners reporting the same components fail again after replacement.
Across 56 complaints, the 2018 Ram 3500 shows a systematic defect in the ABS hydraulic control unit and module. Owners report the ABS light, traction control light, and "Service Electronic Braking System" message coming on intermittently, along with an audible chime. When these lights activate, cruise control disengages and ABS stops functioning—a serious hazard when towing heavy loads.
The issue surfaces as early as 7,000 miles but typically appears between 20,000 and 65,000 miles. Diagnostic code C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control—General Electrical Failure) is consistent across reports. Dealers have confirmed the fault and recommend replacing the HCU (Chrysler part 68143491AA) and ABS module. The repair costs $1,000–$2,500.
The core problem: parts are backordered indefinitely. Owners report waiting 6 months, 12 months, even 18+ months for replacement components. Some report ordering parts through Mopar only to be quoted a 2-month lead time for critical braking components. Dealers state they can only order a limited number per month and face a long queue. Multiple owners report the replacement parts have failed again, suggesting a design defect, not a one-off manufacturing issue.
Ram issued recall C4B (NHTSA 24V-896) but states no remedy is currently available. Owners on the "priority wait list" remain in limbo. The loss of ABS and traction control while towing is documented as a safety risk—one owner reports the truck lost traction and slid sideways on a freeway ramp due to HCU failure.
Same RAM 3500 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2017
Failure modes owners describe
ABS Module / HCU (Hydraulic Control Unit) Failure
Repeated failure of the ABS control module and hydraulic control unit causing loss of ABS function, traction control, and cruise control. Code C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control—General Electrical Failure) is the predominant diagnostic. Owners report replacing the HCU and ABS module (Chrysler part number 68143491AA and 05400701) once, twice, or three times with recurring failures within months. The root cause remains unresolved despite multiple dealer attempts.
When: Typically between 20k–65k miles; some as early as 7k miles; can occur within months of prior replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent ABS warning light on dash; Intermittent 'Service Antilock Brake System' and 'Service Electronic Braking System' messages; Audible warning chime (ding) when lights activate; Loss of ABS function when light is on; Loss of traction control when light is on; Cruise control deactivates immediately when ABS light comes on; Warning lights and messages cycle on and off unpredictably—sometimes for minutes, sometimes for miles; May occur at any speed (3 mph to 75 mph); Some report brakes lock up or brake response is delayed; Some report brief loss of vehicle traction while towing heavy loads
Codes mentioned: C0020-01, U0402-00
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of HCU and ABS module required. Dealers quote $1,000–$2,500 for parts and labor. Parts availability is the primary obstacle: multiple owners report parts on back order indefinitely, with lead times ranging from 2 months to 12+ months. One owner states dealer was told 'only so many per month' can be ordered, with a long queue of waiting customers. Several owners note the replacement parts themselves have failed again, suggesting a defective design rather than a manufacturing anomaly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall C4B / NHTSA ODI case 11494143 and 24V-896 issued; however, no remedy is available. Ram dealers state the issue has been 'put on engineering hold' with no timeline for repair. Some owners are on a 'priority wait list' but have waited 12–18+ months. One owner notes the recall was dated December 2024 but parts remain unavailable as of Q1 2025. Extended warranty covers diagnostic and parts in some cases, but availability is the blocker, not cost coverage.
Cruise Control Intermittent Failure / Unexpected Disengagement
Cruise control fails to engage, fails to disengage, or disengages unexpectedly at speed when ABS warning light activates. In one case, repeated attempts to cancel caused the unit to reengage and accelerate instead of turning off. The issue appears to be secondary to the ABS module fault but is a distinct functional failure.
When: Occurs whenever ABS light is active; one case reported at 50k miles independent of ABS issue
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will not engage when ABS light is on; Cruise control disengages automatically when ABS light comes on; Cruise control fails to turn off despite pressing cancel button; Speed increases when attempting to cancel cruise control; Truck slows unexpectedly when cruise control disengages due to ABS fault
Codes mentioned: C0020-01
Repairs/costs cited: When associated with ABS module failure, repair of the HCU and ABS module resolves the issue. Independent cruise control failures (case #40) may involve the cruise control module itself; that case required replacement of the cruise control unit, estimated cost not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall or TSB for cruise control alone. Ram dealers attribute the failure to the HCU/ABS module fault and defer to that repair. One case (recall C4B / 24V-896) includes cruise control as part of the known defect.
Synthesized from 58 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Dealing with intermittent service brake system messages for over a year now. Light is constant now which means my ABS / anti skid/ and cruise control no longer function. Believe this is the ongoing HCU / ABS module known issue. Frustrating going into the winter months with such a heavy vehicle and loss of safety feature with no fix from Ram.
Had cruise control trouble with your 2018 RAM 3500?
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 cruise control problem on the 2018 RAM 3500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 58 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 58 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 39,546 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/3500.
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.