2018 Ram 5500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 79, ranking 4th worst among 15 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other 5,500 years. Brakes dominate owner complaints (66% share, 25 complaints), with 8 recalls including a brake hydraulic control unit issue and a brake hose defect.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #4 of 15 5500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 38
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2018 Ram 5500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the ABS and traction control lights cycling on and off, followed by brakes locking up during quick stops, sometimes tied to a failed ABS module.
- Rear wheel studs have fractured while driving at highway speed, with some owners describing repeated failures even after dealer replacement.
- Some owners report the frame cracking, with mentions of similar cracks reported by other Ram 5500 owners online.
- The transfer case has reportedly exploded while driving on the highway, in one case fracturing the front drive shaft and punching a hole into the cabin floor.
- One owner described the steering shaft failing completely while driving, requiring the vehicle to be steered off the road.
- Owners report turbo exhaust manifolds warping and breaking bolts in the cylinder head, along with a radio that reboots and 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 reliable?
- Among 5,500 model years, 2018 ranks 4th worst out of 15 years tracked, with a complaint index of 79 and 38 owner complaints, most concentrated in the brake system.
- What is the main problem with the 2018 Ram 5500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 66% of complaints (25 of 38), with a median failure mileage of 72,500 miles.
- Does the 2018 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2018 Ram 5500, covering brakes, suspension/wheels, electrical systems, and transmission/powertrain components.
- How does the 2018 Ram 5500 compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 79 is higher than most other 5,500 years shown, though 2020 (93), 2022 (86), and 2025 (100) score worse; 2018 is rated Avoid relative to other years of the same model.
- What transmission issues have been reported on the 2018 Ram 5500?
- Owners report transfer case failures, including cases described as the transfer case exploding while driving, with a median failure mileage of 91,033 miles for transmission and powertrain complaints.