2018 Ram 2500 · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

2307owner reports
43,000median miles
$1,200median quote
24involved a crash

Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

2307 of the 2,564 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 2500.

Tick what matches of 2307 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

pads or rotors replaced early

a brake warning light

1549

the car did not stop in time

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (1944 reports), the pads and rotors (21 reports) and the caliper (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

What owners paid

175 of the 2307 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $785 to $1,656.

$785$1,200$1,656

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 26,160 and 68,000 miles, from the 832 reports that gave a mileage.

218

219

820

3121

14522

85523

66824

29325

30326

What owners wrote

“Add me to the list of Ram owners with the "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service Antilock Braking System" error codes, 2018 Ram has 30K miles, the dash lights up with these two errors then goes away, then comes back.”
Filed Sep 12, 2022 · 30,000 miles

“The abs pump and module have failed on my vehicle leaving it without abs, skid control and traction control. This is a very common issue and known by the dealers and manufacturer. This has affected tens of thousands of Ram trucks anywhere from 1 year old to 4 years old. But is only covered under warranty 3 years or 36k miles. It is my opinion this is a safety concern and should be recalled by the manufacturer.”
Filed Aug 29, 2022 · 36,000 miles

“2018 Ram 2500 with 41,900 miles. ABS and Traction lights started coming on. Had to have the hydraulic control unit replaced. Seems like a known issue and very unsafe to lose abs or traction control. Ram should take notice.”
Filed Jul 17, 2022 · 41,900 miles

“The hydraulic control unit for the ABS brakes failed at only 17000 miles. This is a known safety issue with these trucks.”
Filed Jul 5, 2022 · 17,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 24 of 2307 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. 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.