Should I buy a 2018 RAM 3500 with documented wheels problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented wheels issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2018 RAM 3500 wheels problems

severe Owners of the 2018 RAM 3500 have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the wheels, typically surfacing around 13,000 miles at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$400

wheels complaints on the RAM 3500, by model year
Model year	wheels complaints
2014 3500	13
2015 3500	10
2016 3500	18
2017 3500	15
2018 3500 (this page)	17
2019 3500	4
2020 3500	5
2021 3500	5

1crash

What stands out

Among the 9 model years of RAM 3500 in our records for wheels problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 21V398000 May 27, 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles

Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels 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.

Service Bulletin 08-008-23 Jan 2023

UAS and UCS Radio Enhancements Customers may experience one or more of the following: **Wi-Fi hotspot connection failure. Speaker popping, crackle noise during Voice Recognition (VR) response and navigation guidance. Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) missing from radio, no connected services working.** Wireless connectivity pairing and/or connection issues. Lost radio presets. Radio channels change by itself. SXMT icon inoperative. SXMT favorite song not displaying/playing. High pitch squeal, pop or hum noise from speakers. Anti-theft code request message. Lines appear across screen. Radio will not switch modes between AM, FM, SAT or Media. Performance control home

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 9100062 Sep 2022

Bed Step If you are installing the AH level or older Bed Step kit on a D2 3500 truck, then also order two units of washer 06508010AA. Reference I-sheet K6862947AC from the bed step kit, page 2, graphic 2. Washers are to be installed on bolts D, between the bed step A and vehicle. Note washers are not required with AH level or older kits installed on DJ 2500 trucks, or with AI or newer level bed steps.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 78880 Nov 2021

UPDATES - SAFETY RECALL Y26 WHEEL STUDS

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 0811721 Jul 2021

UAS and UCS Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software level to 39.6 Customers may experience one or more of the following: Intermittent, black radio display screen. Intermittent, radio freezes. Bluetooth® pairing and/or connection issues. Lost radio presets. Radio channels change by itself. SXM icon inoperative. USB hub inoperable. Heated steering wheel inoperable. SXM favorite song not displaying/playing. High pitch chime noise. Contact list not loading. Device not supported message. Remote app inoperable. Travel-link fuel price incorrect. Navigation displays incorrect location. Backup camera grid lines missing. Unable to adjust volume

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 9004374 Rev. A May 2021

NUT, Wheel Flange Wheel Nut Service Torque should be 175 N-M.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

The 2018 RAM 3500 exhibits a documented wheel stud fracture problem tied to NHTSA Campaign 21V-398. Owners report studs cracking or snapping completely, with wheels detaching at highway speeds. One owner lost two rear wheels on the freeway after a recall notification arrived; another found only two studs holding a rear wheel at 40 MPH; a third experienced six of eight lugs sheared off a dually at 65 MPH while towing 15,000 lbs—well within the truck's rated capacity. Failures occurred as early as 1,052 miles and up to 108,000 miles.

The recall remedy has been severely delayed by parts shortages. Owners reported waiting weeks or months for parts availability, with one manufacturer rep stating four months to one year for a remedy. Several owners couldn't get the recall repair performed at all due to parts unavailability.

Separately, many 2018 RAM 3500s came equipped with Nexen Roadian OEM tires that exhibit belt separation, tread cupping, and sidewall bulging as early as 4,000–13,000 miles. One owner experienced severe shimmying at 65 MPH with tread-separated tires; another found four rear tires defective. RAM deferred these complaints to Nexen, refusing to address them as vehicle defects.

Wheel simulators on dually wheels also come loose repeatedly, adding to the service burden.

Same RAM 3500 wheels reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017

Failure modes owners describe

Wheel stud fracture and wheel separation

Wheel studs crack or fracture completely, causing wheels to detach while driving. This is the primary failure covered under NHTSA Campaign 21V-398.

When: Reported from 1,052 miles to 108,000 miles; most frequently under 50,000 miles; some during towing

Symptoms owners cite: Vibration or shimmying at highway speeds (40+ MPH); Wobbling or instability in steering; Wheel separation or detachment while driving; Abnormal sounds before failure; Only 2-6 studs remaining on hub when inspected after incident

Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 21V-398000

Repairs/costs cited: Wheel hub and studs replacement; lug nut re-torquing. Parts were frequently unavailable at dealers for extended periods (months). One owner reported paying $2,000 for towing after wheel loss.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V-398000 recall issued. RAM advised waiting 4+ months for parts availability due to COVID-19 supply shortages. Dealer repair availability was extremely limited; many owners reported parts backlogs exceeding reasonable timeframes.

OEM Nexen tire belt separation and tread separation

Nexen Roadian HT/HTX tires supplied as OEM equipment exhibit belt separation, sidewall bulging, cupping, and tread peeling, particularly under load or at highway speeds.

When: 13,000 to 13,000 miles for belt issues; as early as 4,000 miles for cupping; 1,900 miles for defect discovery

Symptoms owners cite: Severe vibration or shimmying at 60+ MPH; Tire cupping visible on tread surface; Belt separation inside tire; Tire tread peeling or separating; Uncontrollable wobbling, especially when towing; Bulges forming on tire sidewalls

Repairs/costs cited: Replacement tires purchased out-of-pocket; Nexen and RAM both deferred responsibility. One owner stated tire shop charged for testing and identification of cupping damage.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM referred owners directly to Nexen for warranty claims and refused to address as vehicle defect. Nexen warranty coverage was inconsistent.

Wheel rim cracks

Cracks appear on wheel rims extending from the center hub outward, causing tire deflation.

When: 108,000 miles reported

Symptoms owners cite: Flat tire upon arrival at destination; Visible crack on wheel rim extending from hub outward

Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 03V212000 (Wheels)

Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired by owner; no repair cost cited

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner associated failure with Campaign 03V212000 but did not notify manufacturer

Wheel simulators coming loose

Wheel simulators (hubcap covers on dually wheels) repeatedly detach from wheels.

When: Not specified

Symptoms owners cite: Simulators separating from wheels repeatedly

Repairs/costs cited: Owner cited cost of $350+ plus labor to reinstall; part of broader recall service backlog

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response documented

Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had wheels 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 wheels problem on the 2018 RAM 3500?

It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $400.

At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?

Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 4,900 and 102,240 miles, with the median around 13,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,900; a quarter make it past 102,240. 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 $400 for wheels 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 wheels?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover wheels issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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.