2018 Ram 2500 Electrical System Problems

I am submitting this complaint about Safety Recall C4B / NHTSA 24V‑896 for my 2018 Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). I am active‑duty military living in Virginia; the truck is registered in Tennessee. FCA’s recall notice says the brake hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, causing intermittent then permanent loss of ABS, ESC, and traction control, and that this “may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.” My truck shows as affected, but I have been unable to get the recall repair. The notice also states that the remedy is “not currently available” and that FCA will contact me when it is. As of February 2026, more than a year after the recall was initiated, I am still being told that parts are unavailable and there is no firm ETA for when the repair can be performed. In the meantime, I continue to drive with a known safety defect FCA has already acknowledged. My truck’s ABS and ESC lights cycle on and off while driving, consistent with the defect description. This creates real concern about whether ABS/ESC will function during emergency braking or low‑traction conditions, especially given that I use the truck for commuting and towing. I am also aware that FCA is reimbursing owners who have already paid out of pocket to replace failed HCUs, which suggests that replacing the HCU is the recognized fix, even as owners like me are told there is “no remedy available” under the recall. This appears to leave many vehicles on the road with a known safety defect and no timely, practical way to obtain the promised free repair. I respectfully request that NHTSA review FCA’s handling of Recall 24V‑896, evaluate whether FCA is providing a remedy within a reasonable time, and consider any enforcement or additional oversight needed to ensure parts are supplied and repairs completed promptly for all affected vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The 8.4 inch Uconnect touch screen is delaminating. This allows constant changes of most functions of the truck. Heating/defroster, radio, clock, Navigation etc all keep changing/beepinf/alerting on there own due to the defective u connect screen. This is very distracting and dangerous to drive status. The U connect keeps asking for the drivers attention. Constant changes and beeps to get the drivers attention and make selections on the U connect screen creates a crash risk. CHRYSLER knows this is an issue and will not do a voluntary recall. There is a class action lawsuit due to owners facing financial and safety risks. The truck is a 2018 Ram 2500 with only 16,000 miles. Stored in a climate protected building. There are many forums discussing this issue. 2018 Dodge/Ram products are well known for this safety defect.

Service ABS light constantly alerting, every time I touch brakes. Loses cruise control. I called two local dealerships who tell me parts are unavailable. This is on recall, why aren’t parts available?

First, I was not involved in an incident or accident with my vehicle. My concern is for my safety in the future while driving this vehicle. My RAM 2500 Power Wagon has a safety recall C4B/NHTSA 24V-896 for the brake system but there are no parts available to fix it. I currently have an ABS caution light with a "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service Automatic Braking System" that constantly flashes and dings at random. I took my vehicle in to my local dealership and they told me there are no parts available and they were unable to fix the ongoing problem. I asked if my vehicle was safe to drive and they told me they cannot legally tell me if it is safe or not. There is no way forward to fix my vehicle and I haven't received any information other than "we are waiting on parts". With this being a safety issue, I would expect a loaner vehicle of a similar make and model. I do not feel it is safe to continue to drive my truck with these warning lights associated with an active safety recall. I am looking for advice or some help with this issue.

The ABS and and electric circuit lights came on, on the dash. Then a week later my Transmission started acting up. I had it into the shop and they are saying the 2 are related. They have given me the paperwork showing how the code that comes up is from the recall and the paperwork showing it can trigger the transmission control module. The manufacturer made the recall back in December of 2024. They have yet to come up with a fix. Now we have a none drivable truck that has to sit until they find a fix. I am still making payments on this vehicle and they have nothing to say. We are almost coming up on a year, where is the liability?

Experiencing persistent ABS and Anti skid lights flashing on dash board along with persistent dinging, which has become very annoying. Took the vehicle to my nearest Ram dealership and they ran a diagnostic on it and told me that it was a faulty ABS/HCU causing the problem, but that there were no parts available to repair it. They said they would call and schedule an appointment to have it repaired as soon as the parts become available. I don’t know if I can wait much longer, as the constant dinging is very upsetting to my wife, who normally drives the truck.

While operating my 2018 Ram 2500, the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) failed suddenly and completely, causing the loss of: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Traction Control This failure occurred without warning, creating an immediate risk of accident. The dashboard illuminated warning lights indicating system failure. The most recent diagnostic, performed by Einspahr Auto in Brookings, SD confirmed that the HCU requires replacement. Previous incidents with the vehicle involved intermittent failures of the same systems, indicating a persistent and unresolved safety defect. The dealer has not indicated when a permanent fix will be available. Due to the ongoing safety risk and extended timeline for repair, I am requesting a manufacturer buyback at this time. Stellantis has not provided any acceptable fix which does not impose financial hardship while the vehicle remains unsafe. Impact / Safety Concern: -The vehicle cannot be safely driven. -Significant risk of injury or property damage due to failure of critical braking and stability systems. Requested Action: I request federal oversight and that Stellantis provide a permanent remedy, including: -Manufacturer Buyback – Repurchase of my current 2018 Ram 2500 at 120% of the current market value; or -Manufacturer Replacement – A comparable vehicle with no unremedied recalls, free of the defect, and without additional cost Legal Assertion: I am submitting this complaint in good faith under 49 U.S.C. §30166 and related federal safety defect statutes. Service Diagnostic Link: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Recently the radio and display system in the vehicle stopped working properly. It was basically ghosting all commands. It could not be controlled by knobs, touch screen or voice command. the dealer stated that the screen delaminated and was causing the issue. This is a safety concern because the radio was calling 911 randomly and I was unable to stop it, it was turn on and off features in the vehicle. It's very dangerous. there is a wide know problem for these delaminating screens and this should be recalled and fixed.

Brakes went out abs/traction control/tpms lights on. Brake pedal goes to floor 50% of the time. Have to downshift and use engine brake to stop.

The trailer connector behind the bumper developed corrosion on the connector pins. This vehicle has always been in Arizona. No rain snow to make this occur. While pulling my 30 ft trailer home from the mountains the trailer brakes suddenly disconnected due to the pin corrosion. Had this connector been sealed like the ones in the engine compartment, the pins would not corrode. Driving steep mountain grades pulling a 30 ft trailer now became a major safety issue. Fortunately there was no incident arising from this. The solution is simple.... seal the connector. I have read about other individuals that have the same failure.

The backup camera is intermittent and faulty at times.

HCU has failed on my truck back in July of 2024 it was impossible to find a replacement part got a recall letter on November had abs track control, and cruise control loss repeated dinging sounds to service ABS and electronic brakes and most recently you can hear the brake pads slightly rubbing on rotors and can feel a little bit of resistance while driving down the road

The GPS on the Uconnect radio has failed and the map, compass, and clock do not work. This is a know problem on this radio. The radio loses the ICCID number and the STAR TSB says to replace the radio. The issue is when I travel somewhere and need a map, now I have to look at my phone while driving. This is just as bad as texting. The Ram customer care says the TSB for this issue covers other vehicles but not the RAM truck. The cost to replace the radio is very expensive and I cannot afford to replace it. RAM truck will not help me out. What can be done about this issue. Lots of RAM truck owners are experiencing this issue. The issue started when my truck has about 3900 miles on it. The dealer in the Wasilla AK location was not able to troubleshoot this issue because they were short staffed. I finally decided to take it to another dealer located in Anchorage about 50 miles away.

I have received an "Important Safety Recall" issued for my vehicle. In the notice, it states that "The loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning." I have contacted the dealership as well as RAM offices with no answer other than that the part is not available. As a safety issue, this is unacceptable. Please know that legal representation will be sought out.

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF AND MESSAGE SERVICE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THEN SERVICE ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD FLASH AND BEEP IN MESSAGE CENTER. AFTER FLASHING ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES THE MESSAGES SELF CLEARED AND LIGHTS WENT OUT. DURING THIS IT IS HARD TO CONTROL THE TRUCK. CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKIING EITHER.

Hydraulic brake unit failure. yes part is still available for inspection as it is still n the vehicle. I was driving to work at 21:30 hours on 1/1/2025 on a snow covered road. I gently applied the brakes and my truck went into a spin. I was going 25 mph. the abs unit failed and there was no pulsating in the brake pedal and rear brakes locked up sending the truck into an uncontrollable spin. my front left driver side of the vehicle then struck the jersey barrier and vehicle did continue to spin and then struck passenger rear side of the vehicle on the jersey barrier. currently has $17k in damages to the vehicle. I was not injured at the time but currently experiencing lower back pain. there was no lights or warnings on dash until immediately after the collision. I had the ABS HBU replaced a few months back and was told the new unit was part of the old stock and would most likely fail. which it did. unfortunately i am one of the people in this world who could not afford to not drive my vehicle as the truck was $70k new and i still am currently driving it due to not being able to afford to replace it of park it and rent a vehicle. The HBU has been a known issue in these trucks for the passed year and they just issued a recall on 12/08/2024. this problem was first noticed on 05/08/2024. was taken to dealer shortly afterward and was told that these are known to fail and currently no remedy to the issue. as of 01/07/2025 there is still no remedy or time on when parts are available for replacement.

ELECTRICAL BRAKE FAILURE WARNING

HCU unit intermittently come On and off. Has the potential for loss of traction control and braking.

My HCU has failed and now I don't have anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, traction control, or cruise control. I have contacted Mopar and two Ram dealers in my area but they just tell me there is no remedy. This has been going on since December of 2024.

The uconnect screen has de-laminated causing random messages and a beep. Must try to exit message while driving. This is distracting and unsafe while driving. The problem may go away after restarting vehicle. It is now happening every time I use the truck. Dealer has informed me that this a known problem, but no recall. Estimated cost to me to fix could be $1,000 to $2,000. Why is this not a safety recall?