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Ram 4500/5500 Rear Brake Line Can Leak

NHTSA campaign 21V016000 · Reported Jan 20, 2021 · Custom Truck And Body Works

high How serious is it? About this label

A worn brake line can leak brake fluid and cause partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	21V016000
Reported to NHTSA	Jan 20, 2021
Manufacturer	Custom Truck And Body Works
Part affected	Suspension:rear
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

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.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected.
2. Contact Custom Truck And Body Works customer service at 1-706-553-9178 to schedule the repair.
3. The suspension system and rear brake caliper flexible line will be repaired free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V016000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2020 RAM 4500
2020 RAM 5500

Who to contact

RAM — official RAM recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-853-1403

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

Other RAM 5500 recalls

Apr 9, 2026Ram Trucks Instrument Panel Display Failurehigh
Feb 2, 2026Jeep And Ram Trailer Tow Module Failurehigh
Dec 18, 2025Ram 3500, 5500 trucks: airbag and stability flawcritical
Dec 1, 2025Ram 3500, 5500 Instrument Cluster Display Failurehigh
Nov 6, 2025Ram Trucks: Driver's Air Bag May Not Deployhigh
Nov 27, 2024Ram Trucks Brake Control Unit May Failhigh

All 27 5500 recalls

Official notice

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Summary: Custom Truck And Body Works is recalling certain 2020 Dodge 4500 and 5500 vehicles. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.
Safety risk: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage, which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Custom Truck And Body Works will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected suspension systems, and rear brake caliper flexible line, free of charge. Owners may contact Custom Truck And Body Works customer service at 1-706-553-9178. Custom Truck And Body Works number for this recall is 20E-031.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.