Ram250020185.7L/ram/2500/2018/5-7l/
DJ platform

2018 Ram 2500 — 5.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 2500 5.7L. Covers both the standard and High Output 5.7L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.7L

The 2018 Ram 2500 5.7L is a heavy-duty truck riding on the DJ platform and powered by a 5.7L engine, with routine maintenance calling for 5W-20 oil at a 7.0-quart capacity. In the broader 2009–2021 complaint history for this model line, the 2018 model year registers the highest owner-reported complaint count at 2,493—far above the 2009 low of 5—with service brakes standing out as the top concern area and 10 recalls documented. For researchers, that concentration of reports makes the 2018 model a defining data point when assessing reliability trends and common problem areas for this generation.

Model year2018201720162014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torqueCone Lug Nut: 130 ft-lbs; Flanged Lug Nut: 140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT275/70R18EOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 05083285AA
Engine air filter68190705AB alt 53034051AB
Fuel filter68194705AB alt 68157291AA
Spark plugSP138239AC alt SP143877AB
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AC
Serpentine belt04627589AA alt 04627751AA
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68534176AA
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length213 in
Overall width80.7 in
Overall height99.2 in
Wheelbase135.8 in
Curb weight4782 lb
Track (front / rear)71.3 / 70.5 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Automatic Transmission FluidMopar ZF Automatic transmission fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.8-9.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity215FD Front Axle

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.8 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.8 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)72.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts127.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts127.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)37.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket254.5 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle160.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket160.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerRam
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-15 ft-lbs Do not exceed 15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant CapacityR134a
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberH7
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum56.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum60.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum56.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum60.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 55; Rear: 27
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 260; Rear: 190
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 55; Rear: 27
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 260; Rear: 190
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.472; Rear: 1.275
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0004
Maximum Rotor Runout.0009
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake Drum: 8.157

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1M12 Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
2M12 Bolts 1-1040 ft. lbs
3M12 Bolts 1-1090 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
112 ft. lbs.12 ft. lbs
222 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
322
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
112 ft. lbs.12 ft. lbs
222 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
322
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M12 Bolts

110.0 ft. lbs.10 ft. lbs
220.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
390.0 degrees; M8 Bolts90 degrees
121.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 12,500 mi; coolant every 12,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 12,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miDiesel Emissions Fluid (inspect fluid level) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,500 miDriveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miTie Rod (inspect)
Every 15,500 miFuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 18,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 36,000 miFuel Tank (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 2009 to 2016 the Ram 2500 showed complaint levels ranging from 5 to 340 per year, with recalls peaking at 16 in 2013‑2015 and then gradually declining. In 2017 complaints rose to 671, and in 2018 they surged to 2,493, far exceeding any other year in the record, while recalls fell to 10 and investigations remained at 4. The spike in 2018 complaints was concentrated in the service‑brake categories, accounting for over half of the total (1,026 + 347 + 218 + 133). After 2018 complaints dropped sharply to 189 in 2019 and continued to decline through 2021. Given the atypical complaint surge and the lack of explanatory detail in the data, the 2018 model year carries higher perceived risk unless its price reflects that concern.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
429
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,493
Owner complaints
37 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,493 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes1026
Service Brakes, Hydraulic347
Electrical System,Service Brakes218
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes133
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance117
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes110
Steering40
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance39

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18E096000Steering:LinkagesReported 16/10/2018

Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD… Remedy: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer…

19V347000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:LatchReported 09/05/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 429 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
S1203000003 REV.A2026-06-26Service BrakesTrac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
1129062026-06-17EngineBEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
1129062026-06-17EngineBEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
S1623000028 Rev. K2026-06-12Electrical SystemOutside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 2500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 2500 5.7L take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 Meeting Chrysler standard MS-6395 or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 2500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.