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2008-2026 · 19 model years

Ram 5500 Problems by year

Owners have filed 159 complaints about the Ram 5500 across 19 model years, and it has 48 recalls. The 2025 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (2). The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the brakes.

Share your 5500 experienceCompare years48 recalls
Most complaints for its age20252 complaints · 4 recallsSee the 2025
Complaints
159
Recalls
48
Crashes
9
Fires
12
Injuries
13
Deaths
0

5500 complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20260400-F
20252410AirbagsF
20240200-A
20230300-B
202227411Transmission & drivetrainF
20214512Electrical systemC
202081011BrakesD
2019121001Fuel systemD
201840810BrakesD
201721702Transmission & drivetrainC
201617721Transmission & drivetrainC
201513801Engine & coolingC
2014111023Engine & coolingC
20134900Engine & coolingB
20120900-B
20110400-A
20100600-A
20090200-A
20080100-A

Most common 5500 problems

Ram 5500 recalls 48

Latest 5500 complaints

2018 Ram 5500Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlBrakes

Stellantis (FCA) has a recall for exactly this problem, Ram recall C4B, NHTSA campaign 24V-896. It covers certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, 3500 cab chassis, and 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. It addresses failures in the hydraulic control unit (HCU) that affect ABS, electronic stability control and traction control. Parts shortages are widespread. Many 2017 owners have reported to NHTSA that they got the recall notice but the repair part wasn't available yet, and the manufacturer confirmed it was...

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backordered. the truck cant be used due to the speedometer not working and the trailer breaks not working. the dealer confirmed that the abs module has failed and i cant use my truck and its been backordered for several years. this is completely unacceptable.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · Service brakesNHTSA 11775834
2018 Ram 5500Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the hydraulic brake warning light, ABS warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the stopping distance increased. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall, but the failure recurred. The contact stated an alternate replacement part was used during the recall repair, causing premature failure. The dealer was notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11772134
2018 Ram 5500Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure, and the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated with an audible alarm while driving. The failure mileage was 8,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11765203
2017 Ram 5500Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The braking system was not operating normally. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11763287
2017 Ram 5500Wheels & tiresBrakesDriver assistance

My vehicle does not currently show an open recall in the NHTSA VIN lookup, but the vehicle has experienced repeated and potentially catastrophic wheel and brake-related failures. I am requesting that NHTSA review these incidents for a possible safety defect and determine whether an investigation or safety action is warranted. I checked the NHTSA VIN recall database on [redacted], and my vehicle, VIN [[redacted]], currently shows 0 unrepaired recalls. However, this same vehicle has experienced two serious and...

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potentially catastrophic wheel/brake-related failures. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate these incidents and determine whether they may represent a safety defect or a defect pattern affecting this vehicle or similarly equipped RAM 5500 vehicles." "Please provide the complete manufacturer/dealer service and campaign history associated with VIN [[redacted]], including all open and closed recalls, campaigns, Customer Satisfaction Notices, warranty claims, dealer repair orders, recall completion dates, mileage at completion, dealership identification, parts replaced, and any wheel, wheel-stud, hub, rotor, brake, ABS, ESC or related repairs. Mopar says its VIN recall system is used to determine current recall status, but your current NHTSA result of 0 unrepaired recalls does not tell us whether a recall was previously completed I HAVE PLENTY OF PICTURES AND BULLETINS RECALL INFORMATION WILL UPDATE OR UPLOAD LATER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Wheels · Service brakes · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11762350

Questions about the Ram 5500

Which Ram 5500 years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2018 (40), 2022 (27), 2017 (21). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2025 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Ram 5500 years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2008, 2009, 2011 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other 5500 years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Ram 5500 problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (48), brakes (44), wheels & tires (25) most often.

How many recalls does the Ram 5500 have?

NHTSA lists 48 recalls across all Ram 5500 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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