2021 Ram 5500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2021 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 43, ranking 9th worst among 15 model years, with no verdict assigned. It has 4 complaints and 5 recalls, with electrical system issues, including two fires, the top reported problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 43/100
- #9 of 15 5500 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 4
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2021 Ram 5500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (50%)
- Brakes1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (25%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Wheel studs broke while driving on the interstate, causing wheels to detach into oncoming traffic and damaging brakes, calipers, rotors, rims, and tires.
- Drivers of flatbed tow trucks reported white or gray smoke emitting from under the hood while driving at highway speed.
- One owner reported smoke coming from the engine compartment followed by the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames at 96,000 miles, with the fire originating in that area.
- Electrical system failures were linked to fires in two separate reports, with one vehicle reaching 189,040 miles before the issue was noticed.
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 based on complaints and recalls?
- NHTSA lists a complaint index of 43 for the 2021 Ram 5500, ranking 9th worst out of 15 model years tracked. It carries 5 recall campaigns and no verdict has been assigned to this year.
- What is the top reported problem with the 2021 Ram 5500?
- Electrical System complaints make up 50% of reported issues for this year, including two fires, with a median mileage at failure of 142,520.
- Does the 2021 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ram 5500, covering steering, electrical system (heater grid relay and intake heater grid relay), and suspension/wheels components. None are do-not-drive recalls, but two require parking outside.
- How does the 2021 Ram 5500 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 43, the 2021 model ranks better than 2018, 2020, and 2022, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 79, 93, and 86 respectively.