2016 Ram 5500: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 7 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
17
Complaints
7
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
3
Injuries
223.5
Severity index
Severity index 223.5 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 6 | 35.3% |
| WHEELS | 6 | 35.3% |
| STEERING | 3 | 17.6% |
| SUSPENSION | 3 | 17.6% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 | 11.8% |
| ENGINE | 1 | 5.9% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 5.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 5.9% |
The single most-reported system is POWER TRAIN, cited in 6 of 17 complaints (35.3%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 1 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V332000 | 17/05/2018 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger |
| 21V398000 | 27/05/2021 | WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel s |
| 17V824000 | 21/12/2017 | EQUIPMENT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. Th |
| 17V821000 | 20/12/2017 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with |
| 17V562000 | 12/09/2017 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant. |
| 16V495000 | 01/07/2016 | POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main o |
| 15V592000 | 23/09/2015 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) m |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.