Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 5500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic14
- Service brakes12
- Wheels5
- Power train4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Suspension2
- Electrical system2
- Steering2
- Unknown or other2
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 29 2018 5500 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Ram 5500 failed the safety check 0.80% of the time — 51% less often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 56,279 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Ram 5500.
| 2024727 27 Nov 2024 | Brakes Issue: On certain trucks, the brake hydraulic control unit could fail. Over time, this could cause the antilock braking system (ABS), electronic stability cont… |
| 2024548 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2021336 28 May 2021 | Wheels Issue: On certain pickup and chassis-cab trucks, the owner's manual and service manual list the wrong torque specification for the wheel nuts. As a result, so… |
| 2018269 17 May 2018 | Engine On certain vehicles, an electronic fault may create a situation where the cruise control cannot be deactivated. If this occurs and the driver does not apply the… |
| 2018221 1 May 2018 | Brakes Certain cab chassis vehicles may have been built without corrosion protection on the two brake hoses located between the master cylinder and the hydraulic contr… |
| 2018081 8 Feb 2018 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with a steering column gear shifter, the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) may become inoperative. This could allow the ste… |
| 2017663 22 Dec 2017 | Accessories On certain vehicles equipped with the Roadside Emergency Kit containing a Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
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.
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 transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
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 force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ram told its dealers about the 2018 Ram 5500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11002753 | MOTOR - WINDSHIELD WIPER & WIPERUNIT - WINDSHIELD WIPER |
| 11002424 | WIPERUNIT - WINDSHIELD WIPER, BLADE - FRONT WIPER |
| 11002316 | MOTOR - WINDSHIELD WIPER & WIPERUNIT - WINDSHIELD WIPER |
| 11002315 | WIPERUNIT - WINDSHIELD WIPER, BLADE - FRONT WIPER |
| 11002314 | WIPERUNIT - WINDSHIELD WIPER, BLADE - FRONT WIPER. |
| 11001020 | On Board Diagnosis (OBD) Monitor Readiness Information |
| 10251785 | SOS and Assistance Call Not Working After Radio Exchange Unit Installed |
| 10251783 | Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On |
| 10248509 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10247965 | CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace or Flash Update Performed, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P057B Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Performance, P1572 Brake Pedal Stuck, C0042-54 Brake Pedal Missing Calibration |
| 10247953 | Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw |
| 10244356 | LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect. |
| 10244348 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10243209 | FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-20 "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC |
| 10243208 | Warranty Bulletin D-16-03 - "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC (Rev. B) |
| 10243153 | Apple CarPlay Does Not Work Or Not Connecting |
| 10243131 | CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminated, P057B Brake Pedal Position Sensor Performance |
| 10242795 | 6.7L New Oil Usage Information Incorrect oil used. This bulletin provides information regarding the correct oil grade to use on the 6.7L Cummins used in the 2023 to 2013 HD Trucks. The following information is intended to eliminate confusion. |
| 10242779 | Customer Satisfaction Notification ZD7 - Radio Software update |
| 10242717 | Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used |
| 10241128 | Air Trapped in Steering Damper Warranty Extension XF1 A shimmy in the steering wheel after hitting an irregularity on the road surface (symptom is more prevalent in cold temperatures) This bulletin involves replacing the steering damper. |
| 10241056 | Customer Satisfaction Notification ZD7 - Radio Software Update |
| 10240004 | SOS, Assistance Calls Not Successful After Radio Replacement or Radio Software Update |
| 10240002 | Customer Satisfaction Notification ZD7 - Radio Software Update |
| 10239957 | Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation