Ram Trucks Instrument Panel Display Failure high
On certain 2025-2026 Ram pickup and cab chassis models, a software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail.
RAM 5500 recalls
27 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025. 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.
- 27 recalls
- 24 rated high or critical
- 2 do-not-drive / park-outside
- 89 owner complaints
- Apr 9, 2026 newest recall
Jeep And Ram Trailer Tow Module Failure high
On these Jeep Wagoneer S, Ram, and Jeep Cherokee vehicles, the trailer tow module was not designed correctly. Because of this, the lights on a trailer you're towing may fail to come on, and the trailer's brakes may not work.
Ram 3500, 5500 trucks: airbag and stability flaw critical
Some 2025 Ram pickup and cab chassis trucks, including 3500 and 5500 models, may have a software error in the module that controls the air bags and seat belts. Because of this software error, the driver's side air bag and seat belt pretensioner may fail to work in a crash, and the electronic stability control system may be turned off.
Ram 3500, 5500 Instrument Cluster Display Failure high
A software error can cause the instrument panel display in your truck to go blank. This means important information, like warning lights or which gear you're in, may not show up when you need it. Dealers will inspect your vehicle and update the instrument panel software, or replace the instrument panel cluster if that's needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters have already been mailed to affected owners.
Ram Trucks: Driver's Air Bag May Not Deploy high
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.
Ram Trucks Brake Control Unit May Fail high
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.
Ram Diesel Trucks Heater Relay Fire Risk critical
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).
Ram 4500, 5500 Rear Brake Hose May Rupture high
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.
Ram Diesel Trucks' Engine Computer May Short-Circuit high
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.
Ram Trucks Windshield Wiper Arms May Loosen medium
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.
Ram diesel trucks may stall without warning critical
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.
Ram Diesel Trucks Relay Fire Risk critical
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).
Ram Trucks Low Oil Warning Software Problem critical
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.
Ram Truck Wheel Studs May Break high
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.
Ram Diesel Trucks Recalled Over Fire Risk critical
Chrysler is recalling certain Ram 2500, 3500, and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks equipped with the Cummins diesel engine because an electrical short may occur in the intake heater grid relay, part of the truck's electrical system. This short could lead to a vehicle fire. Dealers will inspect the relay and replace it if needed, and in some cases will add insulating material to it after inspection.
Excellance-Modified Ram 4500, 5500 Rear Brake Line Wear high
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.
Ram 4500/5500 Rear Brake Line Can Leak high
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.
Ram 4500 and 5500 Rear Brake Line Wear high
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.
Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 engine damage can cause fire critical
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.
Ram 4500, 5500 Suspension Kit Brake Line Wear high
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.
Ram Diesel Trucks May Leak Fuel, Fire Risk critical
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.
Ram 5500 Fire Truck Brake Lights Turn On Wrongly medium
One Dodge/Ram 5500-based fire truck built by Unruh Fire has brake lights made by Whelen. Depending on how the vehicle's wiring was done, these brake lights can turn on by themselves, even when nobody is pressing the brake pedal.
RAM 5500 Minuteman Brake Lights Turn On Wrongly medium
This recall covers a vehicle built on a RAM 5500 truck chassis and fitted with Whelen brake lights that were already recalled once before. Depending on how the brake lights are wired on this vehicle, they may turn on even though the driver has not pressed the brake pedal.
Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Chrysler cruise control may not cancel high
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.
Ram 4500 and 5500 Brake Hose Corrosion high
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.
RAM Trucks' Shift Interlock May Allow Rollaway high
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 and RAM vehicles have fire extinguishers that may fail high
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.
RAM problem guides that cover the 5500
- Ram Power Train Recalls: Transmission Leaks, Rollaway and Power Loss · 13 recalls
- Ram Air Bag Recalls Involving Inflator Ruptures and Deployment · 12 recalls
- What RAM Electrical Recalls Involve Fires and Missing Dashboard Information? · 12 recalls
- RAM Brake Recalls Cover Pedal Separation, Hose Damage and Controls · 11 recalls
- What RAM Engine and Cooling Recalls Involve Stalling or Fire? · 7 recalls
- Ram Exterior Lighting Recalls: Turn Signal and Brake Light Problems · 5 recalls
- Ram Visibility Recalls Involve Wipers, Mirror Glass, and Windshield Defrosting · 5 recalls
- Which RAM Equipment Recalls Affect Cameras, Cooling Fans and Extinguishers? · 4 recalls
- Ram Diesel Fuel System Recalls: Fuel Leaks and Pump Failures · 3 recalls
5500 model years compared
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 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
RAM 5500 recall questions
How many recalls does the RAM 5500 have?
NHTSA lists 27 safety recalls covering the 2018–2025 RAM 5500. 24 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Ram Trucks Instrument Panel Display Failure" (NHTSA campaign 26V225000), reported Apr 9, 2026.
Which RAM 5500 model year has the most recalls?
The 2019 RAM 5500 has the most, with 10 recalls. The 2022 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 4. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
Is there a do-not-drive or park-outside recall on the RAM 5500?
Yes. 2 RAM 5500 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.
How do I check whether my RAM 5500 has an open recall?
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.
Buying a used 5500?
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: