2015 Ram 5500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 38.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 15.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 1 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine: 5; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 2; Wheels: 2; Fuel System, Diesel:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 1; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 1; Service Brakes: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10950205 · 2017-02-07 (February 7, 2017)
BATTERY SAVER MODE MSG APPEARED ON DASH. TRUCK HAD 87,000 MILES AND 2400 HOURS. USED AS A ROADSIDE SERVICE WRECKER. TESTED BATTERIES. 1 TESTED BAD. REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES. MESSAGE COMES BACK AT STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS. MSG STAYS ON UNTIL TRUCK IS WARMED LATER IN THE DAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10950205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045917 · 2017-11-14 (November 14, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 5500. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIELDS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE-SANFORD (750 TOWNE CENTER BLVD, SANFORD, FL), BUT A LEAK COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTERWARDS, THE LOW COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT SPEWED OUT ONTO THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE LOCAL DEALER (BREWBAKER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM OF PRATTVILLE, 2209 COBBS FORD RD, PRATTVILLE, AL) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122757 · 2018-08-27 (August 27, 2018)
STEERING DRAG LINK BROKEN OFF ON PASSENGER (LONG ARM) SIDE OF ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE. NO IMPACT DAMAGE. PART APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. ONLY APPROX 1/3 TO 1/2 OF THE ROD WAS FUSED TOGETHER (SEE PICTURE). VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP AND TURNING IN A PARKING LOT, SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL WITH SERVICE BRAKES LIGHTLY APPLIED. VEHICLE IS HEAVILY LOADED (ELECTRICAL BUCKET TRUCK)
Owner-reported narrative. 48,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11286892 · 2019-12-04 (December 4, 2019)
TRUCK WAS ON HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH. DRIVER SAID IT STARTED SHAKING VERY HARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WERE PARTS OF THE TRANSFER CASE ALL OVER THE ROAD. DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WIRING WAS WRAPPED AROUND YOKE, UNDERNEATH OF CAB IS DAMAGED, BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGED, DEF SYSTEM DAMAGED, ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CANT BE SEEN.
Owner-reported narrative. 148,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 11286892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404171 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
HAVE HAD SHIFTING ISSUE'S IN THE PAST, REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS TRANS SOLENOIDS. NOW, OUT OF WARRANTY, IT'S THE TRANS WIRING HARNESS.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502580 · 2023-01-19 (January 19, 2023)
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 69 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally with abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and noticed transmission fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the transfer case was fractured. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel rail, Service 4-WD, and the braking system messages were displayed. The ve…
Owner-reported narrative. 137,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11502580 at NHTSA ↗