2015 Ram 5500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Ram 5500 has 13 NHTSA complaints and 8 recall campaigns, giving it a complaint index of 36. It ranks 10th worst out of 15 model years and carries a Caution verdict, capped because of the 8 recall campaigns rather than complaint volume alone.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 36/100
- #10 of 15 5500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2015 Ram 5500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (38%)
- Electrical System4 (31%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (23%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine can produce white smoke under load, and in one case the truck caught fire while being driven to a dealer for diagnosis, at a median 79,000 miles.
- Front tires show uneven and cupped wear with noticeable vibration.
- A battery saver warning appears intermittently, especially on cold mornings, linked to a failing battery at 87,000 miles.
- The steering drag link has broken at the adjustment sleeve while the truck was lightly loaded and turning.
- The transfer case has failed at highway speed, throwing parts onto the road and damaging the brake system, at a median 148,870 miles for brake-related complaints.
- Rear dual wheel studs have failed and broken off at highway speed, causing the wheels to come off.
2015 Ram 5500 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2015 compared with other 5500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Ram 5500 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 13 complaints and 8 recalls for the 2015 Ram 5500, producing a complaint index of 36. That places it 10th worst among 15 model years of the 5500, with a Caution verdict.
- Why is the 2015 Ram 5500 rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its complaint index of 36 is moderate, but the verdict is capped to Caution because the truck has 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What are the most common problems on the 2015 Ram 5500?
- Engine complaints make up 38% of reports and Electrical System issues make up 31%. Suspension, Wheels & Tires and Transmission & Powertrain each account for 23% of complaints.
- Does the 2015 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2015 Ram 5500, covering suspension control arms, electronic control unit software, an electrical vulnerability, and other systems.
- How does the 2015 model compare to other Ram 5500 years?
- The 2015 Ram 5500's complaint index of 36 is lower than 2018 (79), 2020 (93), and 2022 (86), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2013 (21) and 2023 (7).