Ram 5500 years to avoid (and the best years)
137 NHTSA owner complaints and 31 recalls across 7 model years, 2014 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 137complaints
- 31recalls
- 6reported crashes
- 8reported fires
- 6reported injuries
Which Ram 5500 years should you avoid?
No Ram 5500 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Ram 5500 year has 17 complaints on file.
What are the best Ram 5500 years?
The Ram 5500 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2014 (11), 2019 (12) and 2015 (13). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 26 | 1.5× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 12 | 0.7× | 10 | 0 | 2 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 37 | 2.2× | 8 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2017 | 21 | 1.2× | 7 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2016 | 17 | 1.0× | 7 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Wheels |
| 2015 | 13 | 0.8× | 8 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 11 | 0.6× | 10 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 26 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain22 (85%)
- Steering, suspension & tires3 (12%)
- Electrical & infotainment1 (4%)
Recalls (31)
Airbags · 25V765000 · Nov 2025 · model year 2022
A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Brakes · 24V896000 · Nov 2024 · model years 2017, 2018
A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V060000 · Feb 2023 · model year 2022
An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
Brakes · 22V759000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2019
A brake hose rupture can cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V642000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2022
An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V035000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2019
Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V880000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2019
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V798000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2022
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Engine · 21V439000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2019
Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 21V398000 · May 2021 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Brakes · 21V023000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2019
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.
Brakes · 21V008000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2019
A worn rear brake line may leak fluid, resulting in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 20V511000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2019
A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Suspension · 20E031000 · May 2020 · model year 2019
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.
Fuel system · 19V498000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2019
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Exterior lighting · 19V359000 · May 2019 · model year 2018
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V255000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2018
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V332000 · May 2018 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Brakes · 18V277000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
If the ferrules corrode, the brake fluid may leak and cause a loss of braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 18V100000 · Feb 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Safety · 17V824000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Transmission · 17V821000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Engine · 17V562000 · Sep 2017 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Transmission · 16V495000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2016
If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the driver may be unable to place the vehicle in PARK, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway.
Engine · 15V592000 · Sep 2015 · model year 2016
An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 15V468000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2015
A reduction of suspension stability control could affect control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V461000 · Jul 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 15V459000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2014
This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Tires · 15V290000 · May 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
If the vehicle exceeds the tires' maximum speed rating, the tires may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 14V635000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2014
If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 14V100000 · Mar 2014 · model year 2014
If the Certification Label has the incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.