YearToAvoid

2015 Ram 5500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#10 most-complained of 13 5500 years

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

The 2015 Ram 5500 has a Complaint Index of 25 and ranks 10th out of 13 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other years. It has 13 complaints, 8 recalls, and 1 fire reported, with Engine as the top problem area.

Complaints
13
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2015 Ram 5500 problems

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

  1. Engine5 (38%)
  2. Electrical System4 (31%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (23%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (23%)
  5. Brakes1 (8%)
  6. Fuel System1 (8%)
  7. Other1 (8%)
  8. Steering1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Engine can emit white smoke under load and, in one case reported by NHTSA, caught fire at a median failure mileage of 79,000 miles.
  • Front tires reportedly wear unevenly and cup, mostly on the passenger side, with noticeable vibration.
  • Owners report a battery saver warning appearing on cold mornings, sometimes linked to a bad battery, at around 87,000 miles.
  • A steering drag link reportedly broke at the adjustment sleeve at 48,500 miles while the truck was backing up under load.
  • Owners describe the transfer case failing at highway speed near 137,000 miles, with parts falling off the vehicle and transmission fluid leaking.
  • Rear dual wheel studs reportedly failed and broke off at highway speed, causing the wheels to separate from the truck.
2015 Ram 5500 complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2016Nov 2017Dec 2019Mar 2021Aug 2024
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2016 to Dec 2024; peak Dec 2019 (4).

2015 Ram 5500 recalls

8 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 8 recalls for the 2015 Ram 5500 →

2015 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—
2017Good42217—

All Ram 5500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Ram 5500 reliable?
NHTSA lists 13 complaints and a Complaint Index of 25 for the 2015 Ram 5500, ranking it 10th out of 13 model years with a "Good" verdict relative to other years of this model.
What are the biggest problems with the 2015 Ram 5500?
The top problem area is the Engine, making up 38% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 31% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires and Transmission & Powertrain each at 23%.
Does the 2015 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2015 Ram 5500, covering areas including Suspension, Wheels & Tires, Electrical System, Engine, and Transmission & Powertrain.
How does the 2015 Ram 5500 compare to other years?
The 2015 model's Complaint Index of 25 is lower than the 2018 (75), 2020 (83), and 2022 (92) model years, all of which carry "Avoid" verdicts.

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.