2018 Ram 2500 brake problems
2,359 of the 2,594 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 2500 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 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 brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database29 of the 2,359 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 31 · 2022: 148 · 2023: 865 · 2024: 674 · 2025: 293 · 2026: 336
Half of the 455 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 36,000 and 86,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
2,594 complaints in all about the 2018 Ram 2500, 336 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 “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ram 2500 brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 68 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but failed to stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she drove on the side of the road until the vehicle slowed down.
My truck is sending a message saying service electronic braking and service antilock braking system. I ha e contacted three dealers and all have told me the ABS module and hydrology control unit will need to be replaced. The truck was purchased new in august of 2019 and has 46000 miles on it.
ABS control module and hydraulic control unit failure. Vehicle information center shows service ABS and electronic braking system, ABS MIL and traction control flashes on dash. Dealer stated ABS control module and hcu failed
Truck loses power steering completely while driving making it 10x harder to maneuver the vehicle making tight turns very difficult. Lack of braking power. Truck has a very evident aeration noise every time steering wheel is turned at any time. Trucks power steering fluid has fallen below minimum three times in the vehicles life.
When I back up my truck the brake pads chatter while backing. But started when the truck had around 7000 miles on it. I have had it to the dealer and they stated the first visit that that is a normal thing that happens.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 24V896000 HighNov 27, 2024 · 317,630 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
NHTSA investigation
- PE22012 Loss of Brake Performanceopened Nov 28, 2022 · closed Mar 3, 2025
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limite…
Trouble codes named on this system
C0020 P0868 P2706 P1524 P1572 C0034 C211B C2200
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- electrical problems 475 complaints
- steering problems 85 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 75 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2018 Ram 2500?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 2,359 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (91% of everything owners filed about it), and 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 brakes on the 2018 Ram 2500?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 24V896000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2018 Ram 2500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 59,000 miles; half of them between 36,000 and 86,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.