2018 Ram 2500 transmission and drivetrain problems
75 of the 2,594 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 2500 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 36 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database2 of the 75 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 13 · 2026: 16
Half of the 22 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 13,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
2,594 complaints in all about the 2018 Ram 2500, 16 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ram 2500 transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact called inquiring about a Law Enforcement vehicle (2018 RAM 2500). November 2020, vehicle shut down while traveling up a road. “Lost all PCM communication.” Instrument cluster was on, but vehicle would not start, multiple warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V036000 (Power Train) however, the failure occurred after the recall was repaired. The transmission shifter would not shift to drive after the vehicle was parked.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v818000 (equipment, engine and engine cooling) and 20v036000 (power train) however, the parts needed for the recall repairs were not yet available.
The transmission failed while driving in city street traffic with no warning. The vehicle would not move forward or in reverse. The vehicle was hauled to the dealership for repairs under warranty
I started my 2018 Ram 2500 in the early morning and a message popped up in my message center ( service 4X4 system) . Usually it would not be a big deal because you should service your vehicle to keep up with maintenance , but I just bought the truck 10 months ago and it has 5000 miles on it.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V100000 HighFeb 8, 2018 · 180,462 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ25003 Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failureopened Jul 3, 2025 · open
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks. The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shif…
36 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0868 P0513 P057B P229F P2706 C140E P1572 P0740
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Ram 2500 names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Ram 2500
Source: the same files- brake problems 2,359 complaints
- electrical problems 475 complaints
- steering problems 85 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2018 Ram 2500?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 75 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (3% of everything owners filed about it), and 36 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2018 Ram 2500?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V100000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2018 Ram 2500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles; half of them between 13,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.