2018 Ram 2500 · symptom sheet

Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)

41owner reports
44,000median miles
$1,200median quote
3involved a crash

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

2342 of the 2,564 complaints on this car are about the brakes. 41 of those describe phantom braking.

Tick what matches of 41 reports

on the highway

near an overpass, shadow or truck

nearly rear-ended

the dealer found no fault

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

What owners paid

5 of the 41 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $1,300.

$1,200$1,200$1,300

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.

118

120

121

422

1223

1224

325

726

What owners wrote

“Hcu, hydraulic control unit, no abs, no traction control, no cruise, no 4x4 and emergency brake light on wonât go off and part is not available been waiting for over a year and a half”
Filed Feb 13, 2024

“ABS/ Traction control indicators intermittently chimes and lights on dash goes on/off while driving over every little bump or pressing/depressing emergency brake My safety and others safety put at risk due to ABS and Traction Control malfunction Problem reproduces everytime vehicle is driven ABS and Traction Control warning lights and messages on display No prior warning lights”
Filed Jan 2, 2024

“Automatic brake system module, HCU abs pump. SAFETY. malfunction of part. Known to be world wide problem. Confirm by dealer scanner code. Continuously, warning light and alarm. Response from dealer manufacturers of 2018 ram 2500 diesel, known problem, no recall. Dealer for part can not give time, date when part can become available. Can not give time or date when part will be available?”
Filed Nov 5, 2023

“Warning light stating "Service Automatic Braking System". Failed ABS module and Hydraulic Control Unit resulting in absence of Automatic Braking System brakes. Taken to Dealership and told unable to fix due to inability to find parts...Earliest part will be available is 6 months from time of inspection.”
Filed Oct 28, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 3 of 41 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.