Buying a used 2020 RAM 5500? Check these 10 recalls first
Ten recalls, four of them critical and all on the diesel side: engine damage with fire risk, a low-oil warning that may not appear, stalling without warning, and rear brake hoses that can burst. Three more hose or line wear campaigns follow, one tied to LiquidSpring suspension kits, plus wheel studs that can break. Eight owner complaints filed with NHTSA are unverified, but they include one crash, one fire, and four injuries, citing brakes, hydraulics, and seat belts.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Ask for repair orders covering all four critical diesel and brake hose recalls
- Inspect rear brake hoses, lines, and any LiquidSpring hardware for wear
- Check wheel studs and lug nuts, and test every seat belt for latching and retraction
- Open recalls are repaired free at any RAM dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2020 RAM 5500
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 3500, 4500, 5500 diesel engine damage, fire risk | Engine And Engine Cooling | critical |
| Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 may miss low-oil warning | Engine And Engine Cooling | critical |
| Ram Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks Can Stall Without Warning | Fuel System, Diesel | critical |
| Ram 4500 and 5500 rear brake hoses can burst | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | critical |
| LiquidSpring suspension kits on RAM trucks can wear brake lines | Suspension | high |
| RAM 4500 and 5500 rear brake hose can wear through | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | high |
| Ram 4500, 5500 rear brake hose may wear through | Suspension | high |
| Ram 4500 and 5500 brake line may wear through | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | high |
| Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 wheel studs may break | Wheels | high |
| Ram heavy-duty trucks: windshield wiper arms can come loose | Visibility | medium |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
8 complaints filed for this model year, including 1 mentioning a crash, 1 a fire and 4 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3 | Yes |
| Seat Belts | 2 | None found |
| AIR Bags | 1 | None found |
| Driver Assistance | 1 | None found |
| Tires | 1 | None found |
| Wheels | 1 | Yes |