Ram4500 / 5500 Cab20186.4L/ram/4500-5500-cab/2018/6-4l/
DP platform

2018 Ram 4500 / 5500 Cab — 6.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 4500 / 5500 Cab 6.4L.

Engine 6.4L

The 2018 Ram 4500 / 5500 Cab is built on the DP platform and powered by a 6.4L engine. This powertrain requires 12.0 quarts of oil, with specified viscosities of 5W-40 or 15W-40. Reliability for this model year is characterized by seven recalls and eight total owner complaints, with the hydraulic service brakes identified as the primary area of concern.

Model year20192018201720162014

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity12.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40 / 15W-40OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI H7 · 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 H7 · 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 05083285AA
Engine air filter68190705AB alt 53034051AB
Fuel filter68197867AB alt 68157291AA
Spark plugSP138239AC
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AB
Serpentine belt04627751AA alt 04627589AA
Thermostat68534176AA alt 05086740AA
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 12.0 qt of 5W-40 / 15W-40 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 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
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 70.0 ft-lbs, MT: 55.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug Gap.043 in

Battery & A/C

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

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque98
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque460
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement1.472
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0004
Maximum Rotor Runout.0009

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 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
112 ft. lbs.12 ft. lbs
222 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
322
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

189.0 ft. lbs.89 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts completely
344.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
463.0 ft. lbs.63 ft. lbs
5120.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; coolant every 8,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 8,000 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) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 30,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · 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 4500 / 5500 Cab dominate in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 3 of 8 reports (38%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the service brakes, hydraulic are also the target of recall 18V-277 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic 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.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
371
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Steering,Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Service Brakes1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Engine & Engine Cooling1
Service Brakes1
Power Train,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V277000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 01/05/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler…

18V332000Electrical System:WiringReported 17/05/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 371 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 4500 / 5500 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

How much oil does the 2018 4500 / 5500 Cab 6.4L take?

12.0 qt of Below 0 degreesF 5W-40, Above 0 degreesF: 15W-40 Use oil meeting Chrysler standard MS-10902 or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 4500 / 5500 Cab have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.