Recall 18V277 affects 2,457 2018 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks for corroding brake-hose ferrules. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 2,457 2018 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks because brake hose ferrules between the master cylinder and hydraulic control unit were built without anti-corrosion plating. Corroded ferrules can leak brake fluid and cause loss of braking, which increases crash risk; Ram dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The primary and secondary brake hoses on the 2018 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks carry brake fluid from the master cylinder to the hydraulic control unit. The master cylinder creates brake-fluid pressure when you press the pedal, and the hydraulic control unit manages that pressure for the brake system. The metal ferrules at the hose ends hold the hose connections tight and sealed.
On affected trucks, those ferrules were built without anti-corrosion plating. That plating is supposed to protect the metal from rust over the life of the truck. Without it, the ferrules can corrode early, lose material, and allow a brake-fluid leak at the hose connection. A leak can reduce brake pressure and lead to partial or complete loss of brake function.
The warning sign is a red brake warning light in the instrument cluster. If that light appears, treat it as a brake-system warning and contact a Ram dealer before driving farther.
Who's affected?
Covers the Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis-cab lines, both tied to the same hydraulic brake hose component.
| 2018 Ram 4500 | hydraulic brake hose |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ram 5500 | hydraulic brake hose |
| Units affected | 2,457 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the brake-hose ferrules corrode, brake fluid can leak, braking can be lost, and crash risk increases. A red brake warning light alerts the driver to a leak. If that light appears or braking feels abnormal, stop when safe and call a Ram dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ram 4500 or 5500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free brake-hose inspection and needed replacement for hoses with corrosion-prone ferrules.
- Bring the recall notice if Ram mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V277 and Ram recall U41 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection and repair are complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician inspects the primary and secondary brake hoses between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit. If the hoses need replacement, the technician installs new brake hoses. The inspection and any needed replacement are free under the recall. Ram offers reimbursement for owners who already paid for the same problem before the recall notice. Send the original receipt, or other adequate proof of payment, through the process described in the owner letter so the expense can be confirmed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 1, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 20, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 20, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V277?
Recall 18V277 covers 2,457 2018 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks with primary and secondary brake hoses that were built without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules. Corroded ferrules can let brake fluid leak, causing loss of braking and increasing crash risk. Ram dealers inspect and replace affected hoses for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Ram 4500 or 5500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V277. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the brake hose inspection. The dealer will replace affected hoses for free. Reference recall number 18V277 and Ram recall U41 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recalled safety defects at no cost. For recall 18V277, a franchised Ram dealer will inspect the brake hoses and replace affected hoses free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake fluid loss from corroded brake hose ferrules. If fluid leaks, the truck can lose braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. The repair path is to have a Ram dealer inspect the hoses and replace affected parts for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V277000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V277 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V277000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- 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 →