2022 Ram 5500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 13 5500 years
The 2022 Ram 5500 ranks 2nd worst of 13 model years, with a complaint index of 92, 26 complaints, and 4 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 81% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 1,973 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other 5500 years.
- Complaints
- 26
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2022 Ram 5500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (81%)
- Steering3 (12%)
- Fuel System2 (8%)
- Electrical System1 (4%)
- Engine1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
What owners report
- Transmission suddenly loses power or drops out of gear at highway speed, sometimes with the check engine light on and no warning beforehand.
- Vehicle fails to shift into the correct gear at speed and is later diagnosed at the dealer as needing repairs, in one case the air filter.
- Transmission disengages completely while descending a steep grade, leaving only reverse gear available.
- Steering system loses control at speed, in one case causing the vehicle to hit a barrier and roll onto its side.
- Center (drag) link in the steering linkage snaps while driving at low speed, requiring the vehicle to be towed.
- Wheel studs break off while driving on the interstate, causing dually tires to come loose.
2022 Ram 5500 recalls
4 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 22V642000Aug 26, 2022Engine4,907 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ECM)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 2500, and 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engines. The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.
Risk: An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z87.
2022 compared with other 5500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Ram 5500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 92, the second-highest of 13 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other 5500 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Ram 5500?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 81% of the 26 complaints filed, with owners reporting failures at a median mileage of 1,973 miles.
- Does the 2022 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2022 Ram 5500, covering the steering column control module, an electrical short in the heater grid relay, a possible engine control module defect, and another electrical relay short, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2022 Ram 5500 compare to other years?
- The 2022 model's complaint index of 92 is higher than the 2018 (75) and 2020 (83) Avoid years, and far above better years like 2015 (25) and 2017 (42).