10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
531 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Feb 112023

2500

  • miles
The service brake system and service antilock brake system light came on. This light comes on quite often and shuts off intermittently. The pick-up no-longer has anti-lock brakes, traction control, or stability control. When light is on cruise will not work which if it set and light comes on it will shut-off and cause vehicle to drop speed which could cause an accident. Last time I drove it it felt like the brakes were spongy or not really engaging, which almost cause me to go through stop sign on to a highway. I have not had a chance to take it in to get checked yet, and the parts to repair I believe are back ordered.

- Fairmount, ND, USA

problem #36

Feb 112023

2500

  • miles
The service brake system and service antilock brake system light came on. This light comes on quite often and shuts off intermittently. The pick-up no-longer has anti-lock brakes, traction control, or stability control. When light is on cruise will not work which if it set and light comes on it will shut-off and cause vehicle to drop speed which could cause an accident. Last time I drove it it felt like the brakes were spongy or not really engaging, which almost cause me to go through stop sign on to a highway. I have not had a chance to take it in to get checked yet, and the parts to repair I believe are back ordered.

- Fairmount, ND, USA

problem #35

Jan 292023

2500

  • miles
Brake ABS and traction control system is malfunctioning due to failed ABS Hydraulic Control Unit as diagnosed by Ram dealership. Malfunctioning includes illuminated warning lights for ABS and electronic braking system. Malfunction also effects use of cruise control system. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety is at risk due to unknown effects on use of ABS system. Problem has been diagnosed and confirmed by dealer. Warning lamps have been intermittently illuminated for several weeks.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #34

Oct 162022

2500

  • miles
2018 RAM 2500, both the hydraulic control unit and the anti-lock brake system module had to be replaced with only 46,000 miles. I would get a warning to "Service Electronic Breaking System while going highway speed with the cruise control on. Once I receive the warning, it would disengage the cruise control without any notice. That is very scary and dangerous.

- Kermit, TX, USA

problem #33

Sep 142022

2500

  • miles
ABS system failed at 6000 miles. Dealership replaced the brake system I was told. AT 37000 miles just out of the basic warranty it has failed again. Dealership can not do the repairs due to the fact there is not enough replacement parts because of all the trucks are failing in this matter. ABS/TRACTION control failure. I have been waiting four months and told maybe March now. Dealership has been in contact and doing everything possible. Its just so many trucks are failing. I am almost ready to sell it at a loss. I purchased this truck to haul my RV which I don't dare too. Also they welded my steering linkage on a recall and now I can not align my steering with new tires. I am just amazed with this repair on a heavy duty four wheel drive as well. They did not inform me on this cheap repair. Something a kid would do and not tell his dad. Also the cruise control is now not working while there is a abs failure. 6000 miles on first failure of brakes. Truck has now 42000 on it. Im afraid of driving this truck anyplace with traffic. This truck will kill someone with this issue.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #32

Jul 142022

2500

  • miles
At 36,100 miles I started getting ABS light warning flashing intermittently on my dash. I took it to a mechanic who told me it needed a ABS module and/or a controller device replacement but these parts have been on back order for the last four months (says RAM). It looks as if many, many people are having this same problem with this vehicle. This problem resigns the vehicle as inoperable since it involves a braking component that is obviously a safety issue. This is my only vehicle so I MUST drive it at times which makes me very nervous.

- Happy Valley, OR, USA

problem #31

Nov 112022

2500

  • miles
ABS and stability control fails and warning lights activate intermittently 11/11/22 (47,290 miles) The cruise control disengaged without notice when the faulty modules light up. Under a heavy load this caused severe speed reduction and momentary loss of vehicle control Reported to dealer.(Rothrock motor sales) It is a know issue with thousands of suspect ram 2500's Parts are not available due to demand. This is an intermittent fault with the Stability control and/or hydraulic control module. Both parts or one part faults the other creating a hazard for all drivers Dealer was made aware of issue and states parts are back ordered months out if at all available causing customers to drive the trucks with unsafe braking due to no other means of transportation This is a well know defect being ignored by Chrysler/Ram

- Walnutport, PA, USA

problem #30

Nov 262022

2500

  • miles
Beginning at almost exactly 28000 miles, this truck intermittently shows a warning for a fault with the -€œelectronic braking system-€ and the -€œantilock braking system-€ where there are multiple warning lights and tones, and the ABS, traction control and cruise control becomes inoperative. This has increased in frequency and occurs in any conditions at random intervals. Recently it has come on and off as many as 20 times in a 12 mile trip. I am aware of a current NHTSA investigation into these vehicles as well as a class action lawsuit against Stellantis. I have reported the condition to my dealer who advised it is not covered under warranty and no parts are available to repair it.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

problem #29

Jan 152023

2500

  • miles
I have a 2018 Ram 2500 Diesel and throughout the past 24 months I have been receiving intermittent ABS and Traction Control lights while driving. Recently (3 days ago), the lights have come back, are staying on, and the screen displayed the words "Perform Service". I attached my diagnostic tool and the Code captured is: C0020 Status: MIL/Confirmed - ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electric Failure.

- Point Marion, PA, USA

problem #28

Sep 302022

2500

  • miles
Anytime while driving the truck waring lights on the dashboard will come on intermittently. The ABS and traction control light will come on, and on the display screen two different messages will appear along with alarm sound constantly dinging. One message says (Service Electronic Braking System) the other says (Service Antilock Brake System). If driving with the cruise control on when those lights and messages appear the cruise will stop working. This problem is intermittent it comes and goes, but usually very often. The truck is out of warranty with 41000 miles on it and this has been happening since Sept. of 2022. I had it diagnosed by an independent garage and had two trouble codes (C0020-01 ABS Pump Motor Control General Electrical Failure) and (C0020-16 ABS Pump Motor Control Circuit Voltage Below Threshold). The truck still seems to stop normally, but I feel very unsafe driving it. The ABS Hydraulic Control unit is unavailable from the dealer. As of today Jan.-18 2023 they are saying it will not be available until March-15 2023. This is most definitely a safety issue on the truck which should be recalled. The dealer says the parts problem is a supplier issue. I believe the manufacturer knows these are defective and is trying to avoid recall.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

problem #27

Dec 162022

2500

  • miles
2018 Ram 2500 with 18,900 miles. While driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated with an audible chime. The brakes would slip upon depression of the brake pedal while the warning lights are illuminated. ABS control module/traction control is intermittently failing. There is no antilock braking or traction control on wet/icy conditions.

- Morrisonville, NY, USA

problem #26

Aug 082022

2500

  • miles
C0020-01 code began coming in and out immediatly following a service at my local Ram dealer. I returned to the dealer after the warning lamps and messages all came in around ten times within a mile of picking my truck up from them. The dealer used a device to clear the messages, but the alarms returned again after I left. There are multiple warning lamps and messages that remain in as a result of this: service anti-lock braking system, ABS warning lamp, traction control lamp, and a loss of cruise control functionality. While the constant "dinging" sound and loss of cruise control on a truck with less than 20K miles is disappointing, I am concerned whether or not these warnings are indication of a serious safety hazard to my family and/or those we are on the highway with. My truck is available for inspection. The issue was confirmed by my local dealer who cleared the alarms when they first came in.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #25

Nov 012022

2500

  • miles
Abs, stability control and cruise control are not working as they should. Dash is constantly displaying a warning error about the brakes and stability control.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #24

Dec 262022

2500

  • miles
During the month of July 2021 I would get a message to service the antilock brakes. At 16400 miles I took the truck to the dealer any they replaced the Control Anti-lock brake system and Module. Part numbers 68143491AA & 68347098AB. As of this week with 24400 miles on the truck I am getting the same intermittent message. The the message comes up with shuts down cruise control, makes a chime noise and turns on dash lights. The message will come up stopped to moving at any speed.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #23

Oct 152021

2500

  • miles
ABS and Traction Control warning lights flash on and off constantly and there is a warning tone that beeps non-stop on my 2018 Ram 2500. When these warnings appear, the ABS System and the Traction Control are disabled along with the cruise control. This has happened twice already, and my truck only has 4000 miles on it. The first time was in October 2021 when the truck had under 3000 miles on it. The dealership replaced the ABS pump which fixed the problem temporarily. In August 2022 the same problem appeared, and the same warning lights came on. At this time the truck had around 4000 miles on it. I took the truck in for service in October 2022 and even though the truck was out of warranty, I still had an extended warranty contract. This time I was told it was the ABS Control Module and that the part was on backorder for 3 months or more and that since they could not get the part I was not covered by the extended warranty and was charged a $175 diagnostic fee, but that if they were able to get the part that I would have been covered by the warranty. All the dealership was able to do was reset the code which lasted for about 20 minutes before the problem started again. It is now December 28, 2022, and I have had to drive around for the last 6 months with the dashboard flashing and the truck constantly beeping and with the ABS, Traction Control and Cruise Control disabled. I have seen hundreds of complaints regarding the same problem and yet Dodge has not issued a recall regarding this issue. It's beyond comprehension that my truck has had the same problem twice and it only has 4000 miles on it and now Dodge is telling everybody that the part is not available until next year, and so everybody that has this same problem has to drive their truck around with flashing warning lights on the dashboard and a constant dinging tone which gets very distracting and annoying, and on top of that their ABS and Traction Control is disabled. This was my first and last Dodge.

- Bandera, TX, USA

problem #22

Jul 222022

2500

  • miles
In July 2022, the esc/abs dash lights as well as the -€˜service electronic brake/service ABS-€™ warning began intermittently flashing with resultant loss of traction control and ABS including cruise control. It would continue to activate/deactivate numerous times over the next couple of months. The dealer has identified the hydraulic control module as defective requiring complete replacement of the HCU and ABS system. Online search shows this to be a common known problem along with well over 100 complaints filed with the NHTSA regarding model years 2017-2018. Interestingly, there is a recall for this very problem for the same truck series years 2019-2022 for the same part. There are over 2500 orders for this part and my dealer is not allowed to place an order until mid February because of the backlog endangering my life to use my only vehicle that can be used in the snow this winter. Dodge is clearly not supporting its customer base with providing a known defective part replacement in a reasonable time frame forcing those that don-€™t have an alternative vehicle to risk their lives and those on the road around them by driving a 7000 pound vehicle that can lose control and not be able to stop given that we are now in the middle of winter.

- Ottumwa, IA, USA

problem #21

Jul 292022

2500

  • miles
Service electronic brake system and service antilock brake system comes on intermittently which disables traction, cruise and antilock brake control systems when it happens, very dangerous in slippery weather

- Burlington , NJ, USA

problem #20

Nov 272022

2500

  • miles
Lost braking power. Anti-Lock brakes quit working. Lost cruise control. Unable to use anti-lock brakes. Brakes locked when stopping. Flashing dash alarm saying service ABS/Electronic Braking System. All occurring without reason, just randomly. This puts my safety and the safety of others at risk as the brakes lock up when depressed at times as well as loss of braking power.

- Wellsville, OH, USA

problem #19

Dec 012022

2500

  • miles
Brakes seem to be intermittent. Check Electric Brake warning comes on every time you start the truck and has shutdown the ABS and cruise control options. This is a very big problem if you research it on the internet on Ram and Mopar forums.

- Harriman, TN, USA

problem #18

Sep 302020

2500

  • miles
Intermittent failure of the electronic braking system. Audible Warning tone and indication "Service Electronic Braking System" followed by "Service antilock braking system" experienced intermittently. The multiple warnings automatically disabled the antilock brakes, stability control, and cruise control as well as producing annoying audible tone. This failure originally began occurring in August 2020 and was taken to the local Ram dealer in September 2020 when it was diagnosed as a defective 68143491aa hydraulic control unit module. After a three week lead time, the module was replaced under warranty with 12116 miles on the vehicle and the problem disappeared. Two years later in July 2022, the same warnings began intermittently with the same disabling safety issues at 24000 miles. On 10/19/2022, the Ram dealer diagnosed the problem as "Abs Control Module 68143491aa Has Internal Short. Part Is On Backorder With No Eta". I have repeatedly checked on the status of the part with the Ram dealer resulting in the same "Backorder with No ETA" response. In November 2022, I filed a formal complaint with Ram Cares. They have provided the same response "Unplanned resource requirement resulting in supply disruption. No firm ETA to provide at this time. Working to improve". This failure is a safety issue, not just an inconvenience and annoyance. My Ram 2500 is periodically used to haul a 10000lb trailer. The sudden loss of cruise control, stability control, and antilock brakes could cause and accident resulting in property damage and injury or death.

- Lynn Haven, FL, USA

Read the next 17 complaints »