2018 Ram 2500 · symptom sheet

Brake pedal feels soft or spongy

38owner reports
50,000median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

38 of the 2,308 reports of brake wear on the 2018 2500 describe soft brake pedal.

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

Tick what matches of 38 reports

the pedal feels soft or spongy

the pedal sinks toward the floor

it takes longer to stop

the brake fluid was low or leaking

it got worse over a few weeks

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the brake lines (5 reports).

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 30,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

118

120

522

1423

824

525

426

What owners wrote

“The ABS HCU has failed again this is the third time. The brakes feel spongy and the cruise control and 4wd does not work. The cause is unknown faulty design of parts. I donât remember the mileage of the first or second failure.”
Filed Sep 13, 2024

“Failed parts . #1 abs module #2 steering box & intermediate shaft #3 balljoints .available anytime for inspection? # 1 risk brakes locking up or soft pedal #2 steering wheel back and forth to stay on highway #3 knuckle fall off failed balljoint all causing an accident.. all independent shop for all components. Dealer for steering ?? Abs traction lights”
Filed Dec 22, 2023

“My ABS service light keeps intermittently coming on and then off. Sometimes days go by without coming on. The all of sudden it comes on. Brakes feel like they are working but brake pedal seems soft. This is a safety issue. Vehicle is awaiting dealer inspection.”
Filed Jul 15, 2023

“The abs and traction control keep coming on and off. Sometimes the truck will sink the Brake. This is a very common problem that happens on these trucks. This is my second time that it goes out on my truck. First time went out at 40k miles now just went out on 76k miles. Theyâre needs to be a recall set on this as itâs so common to go out on such a short period of time!”
Filed Apr 20, 2023 · 40,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 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.