Dodge RAM 5500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
43,872 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 50 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 88 complaints (52.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 38 | 43.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 46 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 7 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Steering: 46; Electrical System: 12; Engine: 9; Power Train: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 7; Suspension: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 12; 2014: 24; 2015: 23; 2016: 8; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10326402 · 2010-04-19 (April 19, 2010)
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STEERED INTO THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE FRONT TIRES, STEERING BOX, AND STEERING ARM. ALSO, REALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379947 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE SHAFT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000. UPDATED 3/14/11 *CN UPDATED 05/19/11. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10267141 · 2009-04-28 (April 28, 2009)
MY LIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCKS ELECTRICAL ALL WENT OUT WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP WITH NO POWER I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE NOTHING ELSE WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP WAYS IT IS THE BED MANUFACTURES FAULT. THIS BED MANUFACTURE CM IN MADIL OK SERVICES ALL TRUCKS NOT JUST DODGE AND HAS NOT HAD THIS ISSUE ON ANY BUT DODGE THE FUSE BOX OVER LOADS AND SHORTS OUT. I HAVE TO SPEND 1300 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS NOT TO MENTION A WEEK OF NO PAY AS MY TRUCK MAKES ME MO…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10682716 · 2015-02-11 (February 11, 2015)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND ALL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE ENGINE STALLED BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10682716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573715 · 2014-03-20 (March 20, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPROACHING AN EXIT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEGAN WOBBLING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS EXPOSED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD, AXLE AND BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V527000 (STEERING) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 36,784 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984734 · 2017-05-10 (May 10, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 5500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,025.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10983231 · 2017-05-03 (May 3, 2017)
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) SYSTEM FAILURE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH WARNING TO HAVE SERVICED OR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER XX MILES. WAS DEF SYSTEM, PIPE, INJECTOR, AND SENSORS.
Owner-reported narrative. 77,093 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030505 · 2017-09-29 (September 29, 2017)
THE METAL STEM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING ACTS AS A GUIDE FOR THE SPRINGING ACTION OF THE SENDER. AS THE FUEL PUMP HEATED UP, INDICATED BY THE BLACK AREA ON THE FUEL SENDER, IT HEATED THE METAL TUBE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE TANK. THIS CAUSED A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND A SPILL OF FUEL IN EXCESS OF 25 GALLONS AT A GAS STATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11030505 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 9 |
2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 9