Ram3500 Cab20186.4L/ram/3500-cab/2018/6-4l/
DD platform

2018 Ram 3500 Cab — 6.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 3500 Cab 6.4L.

Engine 6.4L

The 2018 Ram 3500 Cab, built on the sturdy DD platform and powered by a robust 6.4 L engine, is a heavy‑duty workhorse that balances raw towing capability with everyday usability. Its 6.4‑liter powerplant delivers ample torque for hauling, while the DD chassis provides the structural integrity required for demanding applications. In terms of reliability, the model year’s data shows 777 total owner complaints—predominantly centered on service brakes—and 11 recalls, placing it in the mid‑range of the 3500’s long‑term reliability profile and underscoring the importance of regular brake inspections for sustained performance.

Model year20192018201720162014

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque135 ft-lbs; DRW: 145 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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 05083285AA
Engine air filter68441763AA alt 53034051AB
Fuel filter68157291AA alt 68197867AB
Spark plugSP138239AC alt SP143877AB
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AC
Serpentine belt68232297AA alt 04627751AA
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68534176AA
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length236.2 in
Overall width80.7 in
Overall height99.2 in
Wheelbase159.1 in
Curb weight4963 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 DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs; DRW: 145 ft-lbs. 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 Bolts136.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts136.0 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
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs; DRW: 145 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 ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug Gap.043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant CapacityR134a
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.35-1.45 lbs
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
130.0 ft. lbs.30 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 4 stages
1Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
2M12 Bolts 1-1040 ft. lbs
3M12 Bolts 1-1045 degrees
4M12 Bolts 1-1095 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
1Pre-tighten all bolts12 ft. lbs
2Bolts15 ft. lbs
32, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 tighten 18

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 8,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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 miFuel Filter (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 20,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 30,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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.

Owner complaints about the 2018 Ram 3500 Cab dominate in one area — the service brakes, 284 of 777 reports (37%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the service brakes, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 15 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
441
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
777
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 777 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes284
Service Brakes, Hydraulic117
Electrical System,Service Brakes48
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes37
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes33
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance25
Electrical System20
Steering20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 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 441 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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 3500 Cab. 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

Does the 2018 3500 Cab have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.