The Used Car Index

2018 Ram 5500 problems

NHTSA lists 38 complaints for the 2018 Ram 5500, 1 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as RAM 5500.

At a glance

Complaints
38
With crash
1
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
8
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,815,661
Investigations
1
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
308

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1334.2%
SERVICE BRAKES1231.6%
WHEELS513.2%
POWER TRAIN410.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL410.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25.3%
STEERING25.3%
SUSPENSION25.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER25.3%
BACK OVER PREVENTION12.6%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
BACK OVER PREVENTIONREARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
POWER TRAINTRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICPOWER ASSIST1
WHEELSLUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic1744.7%0.83
mechanical failure1128.9%0.74
unclear615.8%0.85
loss of control37.9%0.93
structural or corrosion12.6%1.00
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate2668.4%0.86
low615.8%0.71
high513.2%0.63
none12.6%0.76

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 38 tagged complaints of 38 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

8 recalls.

24V896000

Date: 2024-11-27. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail. (excerpt)

Consequence: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. F (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V398000

Date: 2021-05-27. Systems: WHEELS.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation. (excerpt)

Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on De (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V359000

Date: 2019-05-13. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling one 2018 Dodge 5500-based fire truck equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Unruh Fire has notified the owner and will provide replacement brake lights, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V255000

Date: 2019-03-28. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: Blanchat Mfg., Inc. (Blanchat) is recalling one 2018 B-27 Minuteman vehicle built on a RAM 5500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blanchat has notified the owner, and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 27, 2019. Owners may contact Blanchat customer service at 1-620-896-7145.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V332000

Date: 2018-05-17. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Defect: 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 Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jee (excerpt)

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be d (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V277000

Date: 2018-05-01. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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 manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules, which can allow the ferrules to corrode.

Consequence: If the ferrules corrode, the brake fluid may leak and cause a loss of braking, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U41.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V100000

Date: 2018-02-08. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the tran (excerpt)

Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V824000

Date: 2017-12-21. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive fo (excerpt)

Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall i (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 1 open.

RQ25003

Opened: 2025-07-03. Closed: Not listed.

Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift

Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

308 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT113
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM59
STRUCTURE27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING25
ENGINE23
VISIBILITY23
POWER TRAIN16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8

11037599

Date: 2026-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

AIR CLEANER - NONE Instruction to Dealers while ordering the PN# 68137142AD. 1. If the Air Cleaner Assembly is functional and only the MAF Sensor has failed, the dealer should order and replace only the MAF Sensor(68002441AC). 2. If the Air Cleaner Assembly has failed and the MAF Sensor remains func

11035980

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

11035981

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

11034385

Date: 2026-06-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection

11034393

Date: 2026-06-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning

11034337

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

11034373

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

11033975

Date: 2026-06-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

11033897

Date: 2026-06-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

11033889

Date: 2026-06-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

For Dealer awareness, HD truck, eliminate 1 of 2 M8 Joints for Sidestep bracket to Body Attachment, Bolt and rivet (06102165AA, 06511062AA) per TCR # 402632, CN 80403-T18

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
550038

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ram models

Other Ram models, 2018

Sources

Get this record as JSON

The free rate-limited demo needs no key.

curl "https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/demo/vehicle_risk?make=Ram&model=5500&year=2018"

Paid endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/vehicle_risk. MCP endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/mcp.