Reliable Auto DB

2018 Ram 5500 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2018 Ram 5500 has 38 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 5500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Lug nuts, and Brake lights.

2013 Ram 5500
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

38

Per year

2

Recalls

8

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Hydraulic brakes (13 of 38), then Service brakes (12) and Wheels (5). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 5500 has 21 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2019 has 12 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Ram 5500. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (8)

Recall Brake control module 2024-11-27 · NHTSA campaign 24V896000
Summary 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.
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. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
Recall wheels, lug nuts 2021-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 21V398000
Summary 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.
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 December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Recall exterior lighting, brake lights 2019-05-13 · NHTSA campaign 19V359000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, brake lights 2019-03-28 · NHTSA campaign 19V255000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000
Summary 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.
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 disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, hoses and fittings 2018-05-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V277000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2018-02-08 · NHTSA campaign 18V100000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Equipment 2017-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000
Summary 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
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 is T82.

Complaints by component (38 total)

Hydraulic brakes
13
Service brakes
12
Wheels
5
Powertrain
4
Speed control
4
Electrical system
2
Steering
2
Suspension
2
Back-over prevention
1
Engine
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

3201932020320213202262023420248202582026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-09-18
  • "Subject: Complaint Regarding Delayed Safety Recall Repair – 2018 Ram 5500 (Recall C4B / NHTSA Recall 24V-896) I own a 2018 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab, VIN [XXX]. My truck is subject to Safety Recall C4B (NHTSA Recall 24V-896)…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-07-28
  • "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 contact stated that the…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-07-27
  • "recall C4B hydraulic control unit still not addressed as of may 7 2026 recall received on"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-05-07
  • "Ref NHTSA 24v-896, Recall C4B The problem started back in 2021 when the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Control Unit failed. It was replaces and then it failed again in Dec 2024 while on vacation. When returning home in Jan…"
    Suspension, Service brakes · filed 2026-05-04

Specs and fitment

4th generation chassis cab, 2013–present
Body styles Chassis cab
Oil 0W-40 (6.4L gas common; diesel may use different viscosity and capacity)
Tire size LT225/70R19.5, LT225/80R17.5, LT245/70R19.5 (trim/chassis dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-277 covers certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks: the primary and secondary brake hoses between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured incorrectly. Dealers inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Ram 5500 Next year 2019 Ram 5500 See every Ram 5500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ram 5500 reliable?

The 2018 Ram 5500 has 38 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 5500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Lug nuts, and Brake lights.

What are common problems with a 2018 Ram 5500?

The complaints owners file most often name Hydraulic brakes (13 of 38), then Service brakes (12) and Wheels (5). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2018 Ram 5500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 5500 has 21 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2019 has 12 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Ram 5500 been recalled?

The 2018 Ram 5500 has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Ram 5500?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2018 Ram 5500 with NHTSA.

What oil does a Ram 5500 take?

0W-40 is common for the 6.4L gas engine; diesel may use a different viscosity and capacity. Confirm the owner’s manual for your powertrain.

What does recall 18V-277 cover on the Ram 5500?

Certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks: primary and secondary brake hoses between the master cylinder and hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured incorrectly. Dealers inspect and replace them if necessary.

Which generation of Ram 5500 does this site cover?

Fourth-generation cab chassis from model year 2013 onward.