2018 Ram 3500 · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 25owner reports
- 53,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Feb 17, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
173 of the 803 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 25 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Infotainment on other 3500 years
No other 3500 model year has enough reports of infotainment for a sheet of its own. See every 3500 year.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (15 reports) and the camera (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
All 11 recalls on the 2018 Ram 3500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the 3500
Loss of power steering assist. Open.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Totally integrated power module failure. Closed jul 24, 2015.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
9 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $1,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 9,040 and 117,489 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 17 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Ram 3500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Radio Message "Power Surge On USB Detected" Customers may comment on the following: ● The radio displays the message: “Power surge on USB hub detected” Fig. 1. NOTE: After the message appears, no USB devices function in the hub (no charging, no data).
SOS and Assistance Call Not Working After Radio Exchange Unit Installed
Apple CarPlay Does Not Work Or Not Connecting
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
13 more on the 2018 Ram 3500 page.
What owners wrote
“Radio and back camera intermittent since I bought it new. Dealership changed it out several times and told me they are just bad radios and just wait until a recall is issued.”
Filed Jul 30, 2024
“Service electronic brake system, & service hydraulic brake system warning lights intermittently display on dash. Disables both of those safety features as well as cruise control. These are very important safety features especially when hauling a load!”
Filed Nov 30, 2023
“2018 RAM Display screen delaminates and behaves erratically. Car phones 911 and the call cannot be stopped. Switches driver controls erratically. All electronic systems are erratic because the screen thinks it is being touched when it is not. This failure is present on this 2018 RAM 3500 and Ive seen the same failure on multiple Ram 1500/2500/3500 vehicles from 2018.”
Filed Jul 17, 2023
“Service Anti-lock brake and Service electronic braking errors come up on screen at random, sometimes the lights will stay one and cruise control is disabled. While braking they seem to shudder. Not safe for a Heavy duty truck that is able to tow 15k lbs.”
Filed Mar 15, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 664 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 91 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 34 reports