Recall 18V149 affects 225 2018 Ram Promaster City vans for defective rack-and-pinion steering gears. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 225 2018 Promaster City vehicles because gears inside the hydraulic rack and pinion steering system can crack and leak steering fluid. A leak can force sudden added steering effort and raise the risk of a crash, and Ram dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear on the 2018 Ram Promaster City is the part that turns steering-wheel movement into side-to-side movement at the front wheels. Hydraulic fluid adds power assist, so the driver does not have to use as much force to steer at low speeds or during tight turns.
On affected vehicles, the cast housing for the steering rack was built with a casting defect tied to die-cast cavity #7. That defect can form a crack in the steering gear housing. Once the housing cracks, hydraulic steering fluid leaks out and the power assist drops, which makes the steering wheel harder to turn.
The warning sign is noise from the steering gear or a visible fluid leak before the steering effort increases. If the steering feels heavier than normal, that matches the failure pattern described for this recall.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ram Promaster City | steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 225 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A hydraulic steering fluid leak raises the chance that steering suddenly takes extra effort, which increases crash risk. Noise or fluid from the steering gear is a warning sign. If you notice either one, drive cautiously and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ram Promaster City is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free steering gear housing inspection and rack-and-pinion replacement if the casting defect is found.
- Bring the recall notice if Ram mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V149 and Ram recall U23 when you call.
- Avoid hard steering maneuvers until the repair is complete, and stop driving if steering effort suddenly increases.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician inspects the steering gear housing for the casting defect identified in recall 18V149. If the housing is affected, the technician replaces the rack-and-pinion assembly. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid out-of-pocket for a repair tied to this steering gear problem, Ram's reimbursement process calls for the original receipt or other proof of payment so the expense can be confirmed. Send that documentation through the process described in the owner letter.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 6, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 25, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| April 25, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 25, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 25, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V149?
Recall 18V149 covers 225 2018 Ram Promaster City vehicles with a possible casting defect inside the hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering system. A cracked steering gear housing can leak hydraulic steering fluid and require sudden extra steering effort. Ram dealers will inspect the housing and replace the rack-and-pinion assembly for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2018 Ram Promaster City is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 18V149. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the steering gear housing inspection. Reference recall number 18V149 and Ram recall number U23 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V149, a Ram dealer will inspect the steering gear housing and replace the affected rack-and-pinion assembly free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a hydraulic steering fluid leak that can force the driver to use sudden extra steering effort. That added effort can increase crash risk, especially during low-speed turns or quick steering inputs. If your steering feels heavy or fluid is leaking, contact a Ram dealer before driving farther.
What if I bought my Ram Promaster City used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018 Ram Promaster City is included, then give the dealer recall number 18V149 and Ram recall number U23 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V149000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V149 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V149000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →