2021 Ram 5500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
33/100
#9 most-complained of 13 5500 years
The 2021 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 33, ranking 9th of 13 model years, with 4 complaints and 5 recalls logged. Electrical system issues, including two fires, make up half of its complaints, but this year is not flagged as an Avoid year.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2021 Ram 5500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (50%)
- Brakes1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (25%)
What owners report
- Wheel studs broke while driving on the interstate, causing wheels to separate and enter oncoming traffic.
- Smoke was seen coming from under the hood on a flatbed tow truck at highway speed, with multiple issues noted around the engine bay.
- A vehicle emitted white and blue smoke from the engine compartment before becoming engulfed in flames, with the fire starting in that area.
- Electrical system failures were reported at a median mileage of 142,520 miles, with two of them resulting in fires.
2021 Ram 5500 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V765000Nov 6, 2025Steering532 vehicles
Steering:steering control module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
- NHTSA 23V060000Feb 9, 2023Electrical System302,067 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoids
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
Risk: An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798.
- NHTSA 21V798000Oct 14, 2021Electrical System131,177 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoids
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.
2021 compared with other 5500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ram 5500 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2021 Ram 5500, giving it a complaint index of 33. Compared to other 5500 model years, it ranks 9th worst of 13, putting it in the middle of the pack rather than at the top or bottom.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Ram 5500?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 50% of complaints (2 of 4), including 2 reported fires at a median mileage of 142,520 miles.
- Does the 2021 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Ram 5500, covering steering, electrical system (twice), and suspension/wheels components. None of these are do-not-drive recalls, but two advise owners to park outside due to fire risk.
- How does the 2021 Ram 5500 compare to the 2022 model?
- The 2022 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 92 and is flagged as an Avoid year, much higher than the 2021 model's complaint index of 33.