23 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
Certain Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks have a problem with the steering column control module that can stop the driver's side air bag from deploying properly in a crash. The air bag is meant to help protect the driver, but this issue means it may not inflate the way it's supposed to when it's needed, which could affect how well the driver is protected during a collision.
Some Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks have a hydraulic control unit that may fail. If it fails, the anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and traction control systems can stop working. Losing these systems can make the vehicle harder to control and increases the risk of a crash.
Certain Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler vehicles may have a steering column control module that wasn't welded correctly. Because of this welding problem, the driver's air bag may not deploy during a crash the way it is supposed to. This affects a range of trucks and SUVs, including the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Gladiator, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, Pacifica, and Voyager, meaning the driver may not get the protection the air bag is meant to provide.
Chrysler is recalling certain Ram trucks. The control module in the steering column can mix up the light controls: using the turn signal may switch on the high beams, and using the high beams may switch on a turn signal. The turn signal may also fail to shut itself off after a turn. Because of this, these trucks do not meet the federal safety standard for lamps and reflective equipment. Dealers will update the module's software and replace the module if needed.
Some Ram trucks with a Cummins diesel engine have a heater relay that may develop an electrical short, whether the ignition is on or off. This short can cause a fire in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
⚠ NHTSA advises: park outside and away from structures (fire risk).
On some Ram 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks, the inside diameter of the rear brake hose may be too small. Because of this, the hose could rupture. These vehicles do not meet federal safety standards for brake hoses. If a hose ruptures, the vehicle can lose its ability to brake properly, which increases the risk of a crash while driving.
On these Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks with the Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engine, the engine control module may contain a misaligned capacitor. That capacitor can short-circuit, causing the engine control module to lose communication internally. Dealers will replace the engine control module to fix the problem.
Chrysler is recalling certain Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks and cab chassis models. The windshield wiper arms may loosen over time, which can cause the wipers to stop working properly. This can make it harder for the driver to see out of the windshield in certain weather conditions, since the wipers may not clear the glass the way they should.
This recall covers certain Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can cause the engine to stall suddenly without warning.
Some Ram trucks with a Cummins diesel engine have a relay that may develop an electrical short, whether the ignition is on or off. This short can cause a vehicle fire, increasing the risk of injury.
⚠ NHTSA advises: park outside and away from structures (fire risk).
On these Ram trucks, the engine calibration software may fail to warn the driver when the engine oil level gets too low. Running the engine without enough oil can damage it, which in some cases can lead to an oil leak or a punctured engine block.
The service and owner's manuals for these trucks contain incorrect torque information, which can cause the wheel lug nuts to be tightened too much. Over-tightening the lug nuts this way can break a wheel stud, and a broken wheel stud can allow a wheel to come loose from the vehicle.
On some Excellance-modified Ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles with CLASS suspension systems, the flexible brake line for the rear brakes may have been positioned so it rubs against a suspension part. That rubbing can wear through the line, causing brake fluid to leak. A leak like this can lead to a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes. Excellance will install a kit to fix any damage and prevent it from happening again, free of charge.
Custom Truck And Body Works is recalling certain Dodge 4500 and 5500 vehicles. On these vehicles, the flexible brake line for the rear brake caliper may have been routed so that it touches a suspension component. Because the brake line rubs against that suspension part, it can wear down over time, which can lead to a loss of the rear brakes.
On certain Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks equipped with Liquid Spring rear suspension systems, the flexible rear brake line may have been routed in a way that lets it contact a suspension part. That contact can wear through the line over time. A worn brake line can leak fluid, which can lead to a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes on the vehicle.
Chrysler is recalling certain Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. While the engine is warming up to its normal operating temperature, it may not have enough warmup protection, and the oil film that should be on the connecting rod bearings inside the engine can be missing. That can damage the engine and cause a connecting rod to fail, which could punch a hole in the engine block.
Certain Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension Systems sold for use on Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks were built so the flexible rear brake caliper line may rub against a suspension part. That contact can wear through the brake line over time. A worn line can leak brake fluid, which can lead to a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes on the vehicle.
Some Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 diesel trucks may have fuel lines that leak fuel into the engine compartment. If that leaking fuel reaches a possible ignition source, it raises the risk of a fire.
Depending on how the vehicle is wired, the Whelen brake lights on these ambulances may illuminate even when the brake pedal has not been pressed. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet a federal safety standard covering lamps and lighting equipment.
Chrysler is recalling certain Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Chrysler vehicles from several model years because the cruise control may not shut off. If a wire inside the vehicle shorts out while cruise control is in use, the driver may not be able to cancel it by pressing the brake pedal or by switching the system off. The vehicle could keep going at its set speed or even speed up. Dealers will inspect and reprogram the engine or powertrain computer.
Chrysler is recalling certain 2018 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks because two brake hoses, located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit, may have been built without a protective coating on their metal fittings. Without this coating, the fittings can corrode over time. If that happens, brake fluid can leak out of the hoses, which can affect the truck's ability to brake normally.
In some RAM pickups and cab chassis trucks with a column-mounted gear shifter, holding the brake pedal down for a long time while the truck is running and in Park can cause a small part called the brake-transmission shift interlock pin to get stuck open. When that happens, the truck can be shifted out of Park into another gear without anyone pressing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Chrysler is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler and RAM vehicles fitted with certain Kidde plastic-handle or push-button "Pindicator" fire extinguishers. These extinguishers can become clogged, so they may not spray as expected, or they may take a great deal of force to set off. On some models, the nozzle can come off the valve with enough force to cause injury, which also leaves the extinguisher unusable. Owners will be told to contact Kidde for a replacement.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NHTSA lists 23 safety recalls covering the 2018–2024 RAM 4500. 20 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Ram Trucks: Driver's Air Bag May Not Deploy" (NHTSA campaign 25V765000), reported Nov 6, 2025.
The 2019 RAM 4500 has the most, with 10 recalls. The 2024 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 2. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
Yes. 2 RAM 4500 recalls carry a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA: Ram Diesel Trucks Heater Relay Fire Risk (23V060000); Ram Diesel Trucks Relay Fire Risk (21V798000). These apply only to the affected vehicles, so check your VIN.
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised RAM dealer, including for second owners.
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: