YearToAvoid

2014 Ram 5500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#7 most-complained of 13 5500 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 Ram 5500 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 7th worst out of 13 model years — a Caution year, not the worst but not the best either.

Complaints
11
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
2 / 3
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2014 Ram 5500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (36%)
  2. Electrical System3 (27%)
  3. Steering3 (27%)
  4. Fuel System2 (18%)
  5. Other2 (18%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (18%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
  8. Airbags1 (9%)
  9. Brakes1 (9%)

What owners report

  • Rear wheels have detached at highway speed, causing loss of control and rollover.
  • After a recall repair for wheel studs, lug nuts were left loose and a wheel nearly came off again on the freeway.
  • The truck has rolled away in reverse while parked, with the gear selector backlight changing color and the vehicle then failing to start.
  • At highway speed the engine has shut down on its own, triggering limp mode tied to the diesel particulate filter regeneration system.
  • A tie rod end has fractured while driving at low speed with no warning.
  • Braking and power steering have suddenly malfunctioned together, later linked to a faulty alternator and transmission flywheel.
2014 Ram 5500 complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2015Jun 2017Jun 2020Nov 2021Mar 2025
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2015 to Mar 2025; peak Jun 2017 (6).

2014 Ram 5500 recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V398000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires447,985 vehicles

    Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

    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.

    Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    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.

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

    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.

  3. NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles

    Equipment

    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

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

    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.

See all 10 recalls for the 2014 Ram 5500 →

2014 compared with other 5500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013No verdict1749—
2014Caution501110—
2015Good25138—
2016Caution67177—

All Ram 5500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Ram 5500 reliable?
NHTSA lists 11 complaints and 10 recalls for the 2014 Ram 5500, giving it a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 7th worst among the 13 model years with data, so it sits in the middle of the pack rather than being a top or bottom performer.
What are the most common problems on the 2014 Ram 5500?
Engine issues make up 36% of complaints, followed by Electrical System and Steering, each at 27%. The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 89,971 miles.
Does the 2014 Ram 5500 have any safety recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2014 Ram 5500, covering areas including Suspension/Wheels/Tires, Electrical System, Transmission & Powertrain, Engine, and Airbags. None of these are listed as do-not-drive recalls.
Which Ram 5500 model years should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Ram 5500 years carry an Avoid verdict, with Complaint Index scores of 75, 83, and 92 respectively — all higher than the 2014 model's index of 50.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.