2018 RAM 3500 tires problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Among the 8 model years of RAM 3500 in our records for tires problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Factory and aftermarket tires on 2018 RAM 3500s are failing early due to belt separation, tread separation, and sidewall defects—sometimes before 15,000 miles—creating serious safety risks when towing. Owners report vibration, blowouts, and having to replace entire tire sets out of pocket because manufacturers deny responsibility.
Owners of 2018 RAM 3500s report widespread tire failures across multiple brands (Nexen, Cooper, Trailer King, Toyo) and load ratings. The most common complaint is belt separation or internal belt shift—the steel belts separate or shift inside the tire, causing visible bulges, vibration, and eventual blowouts. One owner's trailer tire failed with belt separation confirmed by Discount Tire and a third-party shop, yet the manufacturer denied responsibility. Another owner discovered a broken belt on a front passenger tire at 16,023 miles while pulling a 15K-pound trailer; the vehicle vibrated so badly he feared losing control on the interstate. He replaced all six tires out of concern the others would fail too.
Tread separation appears frequently, especially under towing load. One owner replaced Cooper tires due to front-end tread separation at 26,334 miles, then experienced it again on a "new" tire from the original batch. Sidewall bulges and splits also show up early—one owner had a balloon form on the inside sidewall at relatively low mileage.
One complaint details a retailer installing the wrong load-rating tire (122Q instead of 122QE) on a 1-ton truck. When premature wear and tread disintegration occurred four months later, both the tire company and retailer denied warranty coverage and withheld information about the error.
Owners consistently report being denied manufacturer support despite having failures confirmed by independent tire shops.
Same RAM 3500 tires reports on nearby years: 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Belt Separation / Internal Belt Shift
Steel belts separate or shift inside the tire carcass, causing bulges, bubbles, or abnormal internal structure that leads to vibration and blowouts. Reported across multiple tire brands (Trailer King RST, Nexen Roadian HTX, Cooper Discoverer AT3) and occurs at relatively low mileage.
When: Between 12,885 and 36,000 miles on truck; trailer tires with less than 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe cab and bed vibration at highway speeds; Vehicle bouncing while driving; Bulge or bubble visible on tire sidewall or tread area; Tread separation visible upon inspection; Belt confirmed separated by tire shop inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Full tire replacement; owners reported costs varied but commonly replaced all six truck tires or entire sets due to fear of remaining tires being faulty. One owner spent to replace 7 tires (6 + spare) out of pocket; another replaced all 6 truck tires after one failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Trailer King RST (Unicorn Tire): Denied responsibility despite belt separation confirmed by Discount Tire and third-party shop. Nexen: Manufacturer made aware of failure at 27,362 miles but no recall or replacement documented. Cooper: No explicit response noted. Toyo: Required customer go back to original dealer rather than honoring warranty; manager at Discount Tire withheld information about wrong tire model installed.
Tread Separation
Tread peels or separates from the tire body, rendering the tire unsafe and unusable. Occurs on both front and rear tires across multiple brands and is particularly dangerous when towing.
When: 12,885 miles to 33,762 miles; happened once, then recurred on replacement tires from same batch
Symptoms owners cite: Tread separation visible on tire inspection; Tire becomes unusable and unsafe; Often accompanied by bouncing or vibration when towing
Repairs/costs cited: Tread-separated tires must be replaced. One owner rotated and balanced after first separation, then a rotated tire from the original set failed again at 33,762 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or TSBs cited for tread separation failures.
Sidewall Bulge / Balloon Formation
Large balloon or bulge forms on the sidewall (including inside sidewall), causing uneven rolling and visible structural failure. Indicates internal delamination or weakness.
When: 13,253 miles and at unspecified mileage on factory Nexen LT235/80R17
Symptoms owners cite: Large visible bulge or balloon on inside or outside sidewall; Uneven rolling of tire; Tire unsafe and unusable
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required; owner expressed concern all remaining tires on vehicle are faulty.
Sidewall Splitting / Bead Failure
Sidewall splits parallel to the bead, indicating structural failure of the tire's sidewall integrity.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Sidewall splitting parallel to the bead
Incorrect Tire Model Installed (Warranty Denial)
Wrong load-rating tire installed on 1-ton truck (122Q instead of 122QE); when premature wear and tread disintegration occurred, warranty was denied. Tire company and retailer withheld information about the error and failed to take corrective action when reported.
When: 4 months after installation (December 2024), reported again in July
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive wear at 4 months; Premature tread disintegration; Tire installed: Toyo Open Country CT LT275/70R18 125/122Q (should have been 122QE for 1-ton truck)
Repairs/costs cited: Wrong load-rating tire remains on vehicle; owner paid for four tires and is out the replacement cost since warranty was denied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyo required customer return to original dealer instead of honoring warranty. Discount Tire manager declined warranty claim. Neither admitted the mistake; both withheld information about the incorrect tire rating.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the tires problem on the 2018 RAM 3500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, tires issues most often appear around 27,362 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 $150 for tires 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 tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires 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.