2018 RAM 2500 Fuel system Problems

The vehicle has experienced repeated failures of the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) electronic actuator. The actuator intermittently fails to move the turbo vanes to their commanded position, resulting in fault codes related to turbocharger performance and actuator position. The failed actuator is currently installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a significant safety concern because the engine can suddenly lose turbocharger performance and enter a reduced-power or "limp mode" condition without warning. During these events, the vehicle experiences a substantial loss of acceleration and power, making it difficult to safely merge onto highways, pass slower traffic, or maintain speed while towing or traveling on grades. This unexpected reduction in power increases the risk of a rear-end collision or other traffic incident, particularly when operating in normal highway traffic. The condition has been reproduced multiple times and confirmed through diagnostic trouble codes. The issue is consistent with a malfunctioning VGT electronic actuator. Numerous other owners of 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7L Cummins engine have reported similar failures involving the electronic actuator, suggesting this is not an isolated incident. Prior to complete failure, the vehicle displayed intermittent warning symptoms including a Check Engine Light, reduced exhaust brake performance, and occasional turbocharger-related diagnostic trouble codes. The symptoms became progressively more frequent before the actuator ultimately failed to operate reliably. In some cases, cycling the exhaust brake temporarily restored operation, but the problem continued to return and worsened over time. The vehicle has been diagnosed using standard diagnostic equipment, and the fault has been confirmed through the presence of turbocharger actuator-related diagnostic codes.

NHTSA ID

11749516

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

Truck def system error derates vehicle speed to 5mph in 85 miles. This is unacceptable as no dealerships are open on weekends or in the middle of nowhere. This EPA rule will get folks killed as folks driving 5mph on freeway towing a big trailer will get run into real quick. Vehicle should NOT cause you to slow to 5mph if a pollution control device has issues. Please investigate.

NHTSA ID

11714445

Incident

Sep 10, 2023

I am reporting ongoing safety concerns with my 2018 RAM 2500 (6.7L Cummins) related to repeated emissions/aftertreatment failures and the lack of timely repair options. These failures directly affect drivability and can create hazardous situations if the vehicle enters derate mode while towing or driving at highway speeds. Over the past year, my truck has suffered multiple emissions-related component failures, including DEF dosing issues, SCR/DPF system faults, repeated warning messages, and the threat of speed-limiting derates. The vehicle is used for normal personal use, is well-maintained, and has not been modified. Despite proper maintenance, the same types of failures continue to recur. A major concern is that local RAM dealers have extremely limited ability to service these issues in a timely manner. Appointments are often weeks out, and when the truck is already in a failure state it is unsafe to continue driving. I have previously reported safety-related defects to NHTSA (ABS/HCU), and those issues later resulted in recalls—so I know that reporting matters. The combination of emissions failures, derate risks, and lack of dealer support creates a situation where the vehicle may suddenly lose power or become unsafe to operate, especially when towing or traveling in rural areas with limited service availability. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether there is a broader pattern of emissions-system failures on RAM heavy-duty trucks with the 6.7 Cummins and whether these failures pose a safety risk due to the forced-derate logic and inability to obtain timely repairs.

NHTSA ID

11704542

Incident

Nov 12, 2020

Reverse camera started to act up causing my camera to not be available while I am in reverse, this has also coincided with an error message stating "Service Electronic Throttle Control". My truck has experienced slow acceleration and the maximum speed is only 60 mph. My stability control warning light is also on with the flashing "lightning bolt" and I can no longer use my cruise control. The audible crash prevention warning when I reverse also no longer works.

NHTSA ID

11648805

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

There is a chronic problem with most Ram trucks, this issue isn't just related to one model of Ram trucks. The problem is when you go to fill-up your tank with gas, the fill neck continues to back up, which requires skill & a lot of patients just to fill your tank. And, this is also a major safety concern due to the high likely hood of an overflow of fuel & possible fire & explosion situation. After much research & being a professional aircraft mechanic, what I found to be the problem in most all cases is a defective ( FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE). I took my truck to the dealer when it was under warranty & just a few a couple of months old for this exact problem. And, they told me there was nothing wrong? I now know the reason they told me this is because this fuel tank rollover valve is an integral part of the fuel tank & is expensive to change. With this extremely long history of failures with the (FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE), I am totally convinced this should be a Recall item!

NHTSA ID

11642997

Incident

Feb 16, 2025

when hauling my 20' enclosed trailer with a 10k lbs load my 2018 ram 2500 turbo actuator went out. my exhaust brake is inoperable due to the turbo actuator not functioning properly. the truck does not build boost as it should. there is a service bulletin for 2015 ram 2500 with 6,7 cummins in them. bulletin number [XXX]. this bulletin covers the exact part that went out on my truck while hauling. the part numbers from 2015 to 2018 model years did not change. i have attempted to reach out to ram about this issue. they state that the part is different even though the dealership says it is the same. here is a link to said defective part. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11574515

Incident

Feb 21, 2024

LOSS OF THROTTLE FROM DEAD STOP AND WHILE AT VARYING SPEEDS, VEHICLE IS NOT THROWING ANY CODES. DEALER IS STUMPED AND HAS SENT ME AWAY IN A TRUCK THAT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH RAM TRUCKS/CHRYSLER FIAT BUT NOT GETTING MUCH TRACTION.

NHTSA ID

11316474

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

THE FUEL TAKE DOES NOT ALLOW PRESSURE TO RELEASE CAUSING A ENGINE LIGHT AND REFILLING PROBLEMS. I CAN GET ABOUT HALF A GALLON IN AT THE PUMPS AT A TIME. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED RANDOMLY ABOUT 8 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE NEW TRUCK. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE IN 4 TIMES NOW. 1. DIAGNOSTIC, COMPUTER AND ENGINE LIGHT RESET. 2. DIAGNOSTIC, ENGINE LIGHT AND REFILL PIPE REPLACEMENT. 3. DIAGNOSTIC, ENGINE LIGHT AND FULL TANK REPLACEMENT. 4. DIAGNOSTIC, ENGINE LIGHT AND NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AT DIFFERENT GAS STATION PUMPS ALL PRODUCING THE SAME RESULT. FAILURE TO FILL CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEAT ENGINE LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11291167

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

28,000 mi

THE ACCELERATION STUCK ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID

11234931

Incident

Jul 14, 2019

Mileage

1,600 mi

PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT PROPEL THE TRUCK AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BROADSIDE. IT'S LIKE THE GAS PEDAL TOOK 3-4 SECONDS TO SEND FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE TRUCK TO JUST ROLL INSTEAD OF PROPELLING IT DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA ID

11184391

Incident

Mar 1, 2019