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2018 Ram 2500 - my ABS / HCU just failed while the cruise was engaged on the expressway... [EDIT] 3rd HCU FAILED!!!

1947 Views 21 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  catalyst
<UPDATE 3/29>
This is now the 3rd HCU that has apparently failed. My original failed per this thread, Ramcares expedited a replacement, which arrived dead/broken per the dealer, and the dealer to dealer part they replaced it with has now failed 9 days after closing my original case.

<original 2/21>
I own a 2018 Power Wagon and while I was on the expressway my truck had a sudden deceleration and almost got us rear-ended.

I had the cruise engaged and it unexpectedly shut off and the whole dash lit up with ABS/BRAKE warnings and a Service Electronic Braking System was displayed on the dash. It kept dinging and spamming the cluster lights every 30 seconds.

I took it to the dealer and set up an appt (they can't even look at it for 4 days and sent me driving it home - hope it is safe to drive!). I am still under my extended factory warranty, but given everything I've read on these forums, I am now expecting to be told there is a parts issue and to expect months of waiting for a replacement HCU. This could kill someone and needs to be a recall!

My question - Aside from the constant dinging, is the vehicle currently safe to drive? Aside from the TCS and ABS not functioning, is the truck otherwise safe to drive? The failed HCU/ABS module will not completely render the brakes inoperable? It will just be like driving an older truck not equipped with ABS/TCS?

Has anyone recently had the work performed? How long was your parts wait?

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@ramcares - I have not heard anything else from you since I provided you my VIN and other info about a week ago. Can I please get an update? I took the truck in to the local dealer they diagnosed a faulty HCU and ordered the parts. I have not heard anything else. They reported a 2+ month wait for the parts.
  • Wow
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Great News - my parts have shipped. I guess having a case opened to prioritize the parts make a huge difference because I was later told it might be as far back as June for my parts when they created the case. I am getting the updated AB Part #.
mine has been repaired. the first HCU sent to the dealer was faulty. They had to obtain another one.
Yes from about 6 months to 10 days
Yes from about 6 months to 10 days
And in the span of 9 days - my HCU has once again FAILED. I've contacted Stellantis to reopen my case. This has been a complete nightmare, especially with dealership delays. They needed my truck multiple days just to diagnose the codes... on top of needing it multiple days again to replace the HCU. I thought the updated parts were less prone to failure?
Codes have not been pulled yet. It just happened today at 730pm so the dealer was already closed. Did the exact same thing it did the first time though. I am not expecting a different diagnosis unless the wrong part was replaced the first time?

I have a service appt for monday morning. I will update the thread when i know more.
dealer had the truck since Monday. Initially they said there was nothing wrong and could not duplicate the issue. Then I got a call yesterday indicating they were able to reproduce and issue and pull a code indicating that a wheel sensor was failing intermittently and causing my issues. It is supposed to be getting replaced today and I am hoping to have my truck back today or tomorrow at the latest. I am not sure if that was the same issue from the start of this thread, or if my HCU truly did fail.

I also reported spongy / soft brake pedal after getting my HCU replaced. I wasn't sure if there was air in the lines, or if the new HCU just feels different in the pedal. The pedal now travels a LOT more before the brakes engage and if feels really soft with no firm stop eventually sinking to the floor unless I pump the pedal. I don't know how to best explain it other than if feels different than before.
Faulty front right wheel speed sensor. Triggered exactly the same dash lights and warnimgs as the hcu but left no code - go figure. It failed on them while they test drove it otherwise they were going to open a stars case and keep the truck longer. They also re-bled the breaks and the pedal feels normal now. Hopefully i dont need to update this thead with any more bad news.
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