2018 Ram 5500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#4 most-complained of 13 5500 years
The 2018 Ram 5500 ranks 4th worst out of 13 model years, with a Complaint Index of 75 and 38 NHTSA complaints, mostly brake-related (66% of complaints). It carries 8 recalls, making it a year to approach with caution relative to other 5500 years.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2018 Ram 5500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes25 (66%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (18%)
- Engine5 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (11%)
- Electrical System2 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
- Other2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
What owners report
- ABS and traction control lights cycle on and off, followed by brakes locking up during quick stops.
- Rear wheel studs fracture while driving, sometimes causing the wheel to loosen at highway speed.
- The transfer case has exploded while driving on the highway, fracturing the front drive shaft and puncturing the cabin floor.
- The steering shaft has failed completely while driving, forcing the driver to steer off the road to avoid a collision.
- Front wheels crack in the middle with no impact or tire damage, sometimes alongside a cracked truck frame.
- Turbo exhaust manifolds warp and break bolts in the head, paired with excessive EGT and radio glitches after software updates.
2018 Ram 5500 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V896000Nov 27, 2024Brakes317,630 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
- 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 19V359000May 13, 2019Electrical System1 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling one 2018 Dodge 5500-based fire truck equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Unruh Fire has notified the owner and will provide replacement brake lights, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.
2018 compared with other 5500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ram 5500 a bad year?
- NHTSA data ranks it 4th worst of 13 model years for this model, with a Complaint Index of 75 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other 5500 years. Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 66% of the 38 complaints filed.
- What problems does the 2018 Ram 5500 have?
- Owners most often report brake problems (25 of 38 complaints, 66% share), followed by suspension, wheels and tires (7 complaints) and engine issues (5 complaints). Median mileage at brake-related failure is 72,500 miles.
- Does the 2018 Ram 5500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2018 Ram 5500, covering brakes, suspension/wheels, transmission and powertrain, and electrical systems. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Ram 5500 compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 75 is higher than 2015 (25), 2017 (42), and 2019 (58), but lower than 2020 (83) and 2022 (92), both also rated Avoid.