2018 Ram 5500 problems and recalls

65% of owner complaints on the 2018 Ram 5500 related to the Service Brakes (24 of 37).

37
Complaints
8
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
47.4
Severity index

Severity index 47.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 47.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Service BrakesService Brakes: 24 complaints (64.9%)24 65%HydraulicHydraulic: 12 complaints (32.4%)12 32%WheelsWheels: 5 complaints (13.5%)5 14%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 4 complaints (10.8%)4 11%Power TrainPower Train: 4 complaints (10.8%)4 11%SuspensionSuspension: 2 complaints (5.4%)2 5%SteeringSteering: 2 complaints (5.4%)2 5%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 2 complaints (5.4%)2 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
SERVICE BRAKES2464.9%
HYDRAULIC1232.4%
WHEELS513.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL410.8%
POWER TRAIN410.8%
SUSPENSION25.4%
STEERING25.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25.4%

Complaints filed per year

0482019: 32020: 32021: 32022: 32023: 62024: 42025: 82026: 7 (partial year)19202122232425826
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20193
20203
20213
20223
20236
20244
20258
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.0x those in 2020 to 2022 (18 against 9).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V35900013/05/2019EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSUnruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling one 2018 Dodge 5500-based fire truck equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
18V27700001/05/2018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules, which c
18V33200017/05/2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGChrysler (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
19V25500028/03/2019EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSBlanchat Mfg., Inc. (Blanchat) is recalling one 2018 B-27 Minuteman vehicle built on a RAM 5500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not b
21V39800027/05/2021WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDSChrysler (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
18V10000008/02/2018POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the B
17V82400021/12/2017EQUIPMENTChrysler (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
24V89600027/11/2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction co

Other Ram 5500 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 6 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-08. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.