Ram 5500 Best and Worst Years (2013–2025)
The Ram 5500 years to avoid are 2018, 2020, and 2022, based on NHTSA complaint index scores of 75, 83, and 92 out of 156 total complaints and 40 recall campaigns across 2013-2025. 2015 and 2017 carry the lowest complaint indexes among years with a verdict, at 25 and 42.
- Model years
- 13
- 2013–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 156
- Recall campaigns
- 40
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 11
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
5500 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ram 5500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | No verdict | 17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 10 | Engine | — | — |
| 2015 | Good | 25 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 8 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 7 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2017 | Good | 42 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 75 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 8 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 58 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 9 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 83 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 9 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 33 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 92 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 100 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | — | — |
5500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Ram 5500 Index 92 · 26 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Ram 5500 has the highest complaint index among avoid years, at 92. Transmission and powertrain problems account for 81 percent of complaints, at a median of just 1,973 miles, with owners describing failure to shift properly and complete loss of forward gears. Steering complaints follow, including a reported loss of steering at highway speed. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, including a steering column control module recall that can prevent the driver's airbag from deploying, and an electrical short recall tied to the diesel engine's heater grid.
2020 Ram 5500 Index 83 · 8 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2020 Ram 5500 carries a complaint index of 83, the third-worst year. Brakes are the top problem area at 38 percent of complaints, with a median 75,500 miles, tied to a recall for rear brake hoses that may rupture. Seat belt complaints, involving front driver's side belts failing to retract, appear at a median 13,500 miles. Owners also report airbag and camera-related issues. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns, including one covering a fuel system high-pressure pump on Cummins diesel engines.
2018 Ram 5500 Index 75 · 38 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2018 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 75, the fourth-worst of all years covered. Brakes dominate owner reports, making up 66 percent of complaints for the year at a median 72,500 miles, including a recalled hydraulic control unit that can affect anti-lock braking. Suspension and wheel problems follow, with owners describing frame cracking and wheel studs breaking off while driving, at a median 59,000 miles. Engine complaints, including turbo exhaust manifold warping, appear at a median 48,500 miles. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year.
Most common Ram 5500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (31%)
- Brakes42 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (20%)
- Engine23 (15%)
- Electrical System15 (10%)
- Steering14 (9%)
- Fuel System13 (8%)
- Other8 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (3%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Ram 5500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Ram 5500 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 75, 83, and 92 respectively.
- Which Ram 5500 years need caution but aren't the worst?
- The 2014, 2016, and 2019 model years are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 50, 67, and 58 out of the years tracked from 2013 to 2025.
- What is the most common problem area across all Ram 5500 years?
- Transmission and Powertrain issues lead with 48 complaints, or 31 percent of the 156 total complaints, followed by Brakes at 42 complaints, or 27 percent.
- Does the 2022 Ram 5500 have a transmission recall?
- NHTSA data shows transmission and powertrain complaints made up 81 percent of 2022 Ram 5500 complaints at a median of 1,973 miles, and the year has 4 recall campaigns, including one for the engine control module on Cummins diesel engines.
- Are there any Ram 5500 years with no verdict issued?
- Yes, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 do not carry an Avoid or Caution label in this dataset; 2015 and 2017 are marked Good with complaint indexes of 25 and 42.