2018 Ram 2500 · symptom sheet

Brakes failed to stop the car

56owner reports
37,000median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Aug 19, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

56 of the 2,308 reports of brake wear on the 2018 2500 describe brake failure.

Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (2,308 reports) · also: ABS light on, brake light on, soft brake pedal

Tick what matches of 56 reports

the pedal went to the floor with no braking

it happened without warning

it resulted in a crash

a recall applies to the brakes

the pedal was hard rather than soft

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the brakes covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

24V-896Nov 27, 2024

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the 2500

PE22-012opened Nov 28, 2022

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2017 to 2018

Loss of brake performance. Closed mar 3, 2025.

NHTSA summary

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 limited detectability. Consumers complained that the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminated on their vehicles. The ABS module works in conjunction with the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), an electromechanical device that controls hydraulic pressure to the individual wheel brake assemblies, to manage braking forces during emergency stops. During this investigation, ODI received over 2,500 consumer complaints concerning ABS or HCU warning lights that illuminated on the dashboards of their vehicles. Many consumers described also having trouble with cruise control, traction control, or electronic stability control. Of the complaints received, over 50% mentioned that the ABS or HCU warning light was intermittent in nature. ODI learned that in January 2021, FCA was aware of a problem with the ABS pump motors on the subject vehicles. FCA had been working with the supplier, ZF, on an issue concerning swelling of the brushes inside the motor. According to a briefing given by ZF to FCA on January 15, 2021, the ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control syst

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 25,000 and 83,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.

120

322

1623

1324

1225

1126

What owners wrote

“On 8/10/2024 at 3.10 PM while traveling 68 mph on an interstate, the vehicle started displaying Service Electronic Brake System and Antilock Brake Failure warnings. This also shut off the cruise control system, causing a sudden and unexpected loss of forward momentum. The warnings would reset and then come on randomly while travelling.”
Filed Aug 10, 2024

“ABS hydraulic pump failure, confirmed by Ram dealer. ABS light coming on and off affecting cruise control. Warning on dash says service ABS system. Truck only has 14350 miles No brake failures as of yet”
Filed Jul 10, 2024 · 14,350 miles

“HCU and ABS module brake failure causing the ABS and traction control warning lights and audible tone to intermittently go off. This also results in the cruise control failing to work. This is the second time of such occurrence. First at 3 years old and 30k miles and second at 6 years old and 50.5k miles.”
Filed Jun 29, 2024 · 30,000 miles

“abs brake failure the hcu fails causing warning to service abs problem first occurred 2 years ago had hcu replaced problem is back again these hcu units were defective from the get go ram knows units are defective this is a safety issue and needs to be resolved your help is needed on this safety issue.4/12/”
Filed Sep 10, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 56 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.