RAM 5500 Problems by Year
RAM 5500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 5500 year: 2018, 2022. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2018 5500: 38 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2022 5500: 26 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2017 5500: 21 complaints, 7 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2025 5500: 2 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2013 5500: 4 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2021 5500: 4 complaints, 5 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common RAM 5500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 48 | 9 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 22 | 9 | 2 |
| Wheels | 20 | 9 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 19 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 15 | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 14 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All RAM 5500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 5500 | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2025 5500 | 2 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2024 5500 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2023 5500 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2022 5500 | 26 | 4 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 5500 | 4 | 5 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2020 5500 | 8 | 9 | — | Seat Belts | |
| 2019 5500 | 12 | 9 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2018 5500 | 38 | 8 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 5500 | 21 | 7 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 5500 | 17 | 7 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2015 5500 | 13 | 8 | — | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2014 5500 | 11 | 10 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2013 5500 | 4 | 9 | — | Power Train | |
| 2012 5500 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2011 5500 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2009 5500 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2008 5500 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from RAM: all RAM models · RAM VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which RAM 5500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2018 (38), 2022 (26) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 5500 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the RAM 5500?
Power Train, with 48 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the RAM 5500 have?
42 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.