2018 RAM 3500 Complaints

The hydraulic control unit (HCU) and the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module on our truck has been triggering the warning light and bell notification for almost a year & we have yet to be able to get this repaired as the part is supposedly back-ordered (for a year?!?!?) We pull a fifth wheel with this vehicle and any sort of braking component issue is a recipe for a potentially disastrous incident on the road. We try not to drive the vehicle, but sometimes that isn't always feasible or practical. We are at a loss at this point.

I WAS PULLING MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER DOWN THE INTERSTATE, AND MY ENGINE FAN CAME ON "HI". THE SUCTION FROM THE FAN CAUSED THE RUBBER FAN SHROUD TO BECOME SUCKED INTO MY FAN AND IT CUT IT INTO LARGE PIECES. THOSE PIECES WERE THEN VIOLENTLY THROWN INTO THE RADIATOR AND PUNCTURED IT RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL ENGINE COOLANT. THIS IS A KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURER DEFECT RANGING FROM 2014 TO 2018.

At 9,040 miles, display reads “Service Antilock Brake System” along with warning lights for abs and traction control and a loud dinging. It goes off, then back on multiple times until serviced when the dealership replaced the faulty HCU Sept. 2020 under warranty. Diagnostic code C0020-01 ABS pump motor general electrical failure 2023 the problem comes back but nothing done. 2024 after much research, found the newer replacement HCU had just been revised in April with a new part number. At 25,837 miles back to the dealership for another replacement, this time paying out of pocket, over $300 for part and over $600 for labor. It’s only been a short time but so far, no warning about a faulty abs. I do have the old part if inspection is necessary. There is an FCA service bulletin out #S2005000004; NHTSA #10181550 It says if the HCU doesn’t fix the problem, replace the ECU, but that is not available and no ETA. Lucky to get the HCU because that is a very limited part. This is a safety issue because not only does the ABS and traction control go out but you also lose cruise control and 4wd while driving. There should be a recall with all the complaints. Not sure what good a recall would do if parts aren’t available anyway. Telling someone who just spent a fortune on buying this truck not to drive it because of this, is not an option.

02/11/2021 - ABS module unit replaced under warranty 06/2023 - Intermittent dash warning lights and chiming alert occurring. Dodge dealership states it needs a new ABS module, however the part is "backordered" and not available. Truck is out of warranty. 09/2023 - Dodge dealership informed me that part cannot be ordered until January 2024 01/2024 - Dodge dealership states that part is still backordered and none are available. 05/02/2024 - Part is still unavailable. Warning lights and chiming has been occurring for a year and there is no other way to fix the problem. Why are so many of these vehicles experiencing the same problems with owners unable to replace the faulty part?

Electronic Braking System failure. ABS lights come on the dash, chimes constantly and disengages the cruise control. The vehicle looses ability to use ABS. Ability to control vehicle safely when ABS disengages is a critical failure. I'm told by the dealer that NO parts available from the manufacture to cure this issue. This is an unacceptable answer to a known issue for years. Many RAM owners have complained about this on RAM related forums and on YouTube. I am adding my vehicle to list of vehicles impacted by this catastrophic failure to create a safe vehicle to drive. Why has the NHTSA not fined RAM and forced a recall? How many people have to die from ABS braking failure to qualify for a recall? I don't want to be the last death before something is done to make my truck safe to drive.

The truck is getting constant ABS failure messages, such as (1) “Service electronic braking system”, and (2) “Service antilock brake system “. When either of these rear their ugly heads, there is multiple loud dinging sounds (which startles the driver), and the cruise control gets turned off. Why hasn’t there been a safety recall?!?! If you guys can’t see that a failed braking system is NOT a safety issue, then our country is way worse than I already thought it was!!!! BRAKES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE!!!! Not only are they a safety issue, but thousands and thousands of 2017 & 2018 RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 owners are having these exact issues in the United States!! WHY ISN’T THERE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE?!?! Are you just going to wait, until you have multiple DEATHS, before you do something to PROTECT owners?!?!

The known issue that Ram refuses to is plaguing my truck. ABS and Traction Control lights come on. This shuts off the cruise control as well as makes braking difficult. It is very dangerous. This is a ticking time bomb. Vehicle has under 50k miles on it. 2017 and 2018 have been known to have faulty ECU Module and HCU. Loss of brakes momentarily occurred on [XXX]. I am having the issues under investigation. NHTSA Action Number: PE22012 Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Opened From: November 28, 2022–Present The reports cited below can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov using the following ID numbers: 11143741,11182778,11231734,11252781,11265590,11270151,11300182,11319987,113409 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving, the "service electronic brakes " and traction control light will come on periodically, then go away. The issue is random and not consistent or easy to predict. If the cruise control is active, the cruise control will disengage and the truck will start to slow down. The brakes seem to work the same even if the light is on or off.

ABS brake module fails and the vehicle looses its ABS braking capability. Other functions are affected as well, anti skid and cruise control. Major safety issue! This vehicle is now in need of 3rd module in under 100,000 miles. This is unacceptable Stellantis/Chysler Corporation has full knowledge of this component weakness and has not improved or recalled this part. Thank you

I get a message on my dash to service antilock brake system. The lights come on as well as the check engine light and there is a bell that dings when this happens.