2018 Ram 1500 MPG
The 2018 Ram 1500 gets 13–20 mpg in the city and 18–27 on the highway (14–23 combined), across the 7 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 23 mpg combined. At the other end, the 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive manages 14 mpg combined, 9 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2017 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 2WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Diesel · 448 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Diesel · 465 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 · 450 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 475 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Midgrade · 513 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Midgrade · 527 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 14 | Midgrade · 614 g CO₂/mi |
2018 Ram 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on midgrade gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.96 a gallon, the 2018 Ram 1500 costs about $4,380 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (17 mpg combined), or roughly 29 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (14 mpg combined) comes to about $5,310 a year, $940 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2018 Ram 1500 specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2018 Ram 1500: 5.7 L 8-cyl, 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd; Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 3.0 L turbo | 6 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2018 Ram 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 667 owner complaints about the 2018 Ram 1500.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (17% of component mentions), followed by engine (12%) and steering (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 74 complaints a year: fewer than the 2017 (88 a year) and the 2019 (185 a year).
That ranks 10th of 17 Ram 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 667, 25 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 14 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 159 | 17% |
| Engine | 110 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 92 | 10% |
| Steering | 90 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 81 | 9% |
| Power train | 60 | 6% |
| Diesel fuel system | 52 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 46 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 43 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 32 | 3% |
| Suspension | 22 | 2% |
| Air bags | 19 | 2% |
| Back over prevention | 18 | 2% |
| Structure | 15 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 15 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 8 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 7 | <1% |
| Seats | 7 | <1% |
| Equipment | 6 | <1% |
| Wheels | 6 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 5 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | <1% |
| Tires | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 2 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
After driving through a heavy downpour, power steering cut out intermittently. The next day, it became full inoperable. Repair shop initially suggested letting the controls "dry out". …
As we were driving along the freeway at highway speeds, the dash lights completely cut out on my ram 1500 2019. At first, this seemed to simply affect the visibility of the central console, speed controls, light indicators, etc. …
I have a 2018 ram 1500 express my electricinic power steering is binding and causing my truck to jerk when I correct it while driving. …
2018 Ram 1500 recalls
The 2018 Ram 1500 has been the subject of 15 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 25V592000 from September 2025, concerns air bags.
Power train accounts for 4 of the 15 campaigns, more than any other area.
25V592000 · September 11, 2025 · Air bags
Problem: The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge.
18V524000 · August 9, 2018 · Electrical system
Problem: The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge.
18V398000 · June 14, 2018 · Back over prevention
Problem: 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."
Risk: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge.
18V280000 · May 1, 2018 · Power train
Problem: An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V010000 | January 16, 2025 | Air bags | 2016–2019 |
| 23V411000 | June 8, 2023 | Engine and engine cooling | 2014–2019 |
| 22V406000 | June 9, 2022 | Diesel fuel system | 2014–2019 |
| 21V632000 | August 12, 2021 | Air bags | 2015–2020 |
| 20V475000 | August 13, 2020 | Engine and engine cooling | 2014–2018 |
| 19V757000 | October 24, 2019 | Engine and engine cooling | 2014–2019 |
| 19V347000 | May 9, 2019 | Latches/locks/linkages | 2013–2018 |
| 19V324000 | April 25, 2019 | Power train | 2018–2019 |
| 18V556000 | August 23, 2018 | Power train | 2018–2019 |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system, Vehicle speed control | 2014–2019 |
| 18V100000 | February 8, 2018 | Power train | 2017–2018 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 6 versions of the 2018 Ram 1500; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Quad PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Regular PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Regular PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ram 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2018 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2018 Ford F-150 (25 mpg) and 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 (20 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 24 | 1,459 | 121 | 18 |
| 2016 | 24 | 1,554 | 140 | 17 |
| 2017 | 23 | 884 | 88 | 13 |
| 2018 | 23 | 667 | 74 | 15 |
| 2019 | 23 | 1,494 | 185 | 30 |
| 2020 | 26 | 640 | 91 | 14 |
| 2021 | 26 | 683 | 113 | 15 |
Every Ram 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2018 models
FAQ
Is the 2018 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2018 Ram 1500 has 74 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (10th most of 17 model years), 15 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 23 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2018 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (159), engine (110) and steering (90). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2018 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 1500 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 14–23 mpg combined (13–20 city, 18–27 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 1500 per year?
About $4,380 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $5,310 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average midgrade gasoline price of $4.96 a gallon (EIA).