Ram 5500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
154 owner complaints analyzed
42 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 85 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 43 of 154 complaints (27.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 50 | 32.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 29 | 18.8% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 43 |
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Wheels | 18 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Suspension | 10 |
Power Train: 43; Service Brakes: 22; Wheels: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Electrical System: 15; Engine: 14; Steering: 14; Suspension: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 15
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 69 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 6; 2018: 5; 2019: 14; 2020: 9; 2021: 12; 2022: 12; 2023: 37; 2024: 18; 2025: 15; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 50 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 29 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 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 10893969 · 2016-08-08 (August 8, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 5500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SELECTION DISPLAY BACK LIGHT CHANGED FROM WHITE TO YELLOW. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHCILE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PART WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED, INCLUDING A NEW FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE GEAR SHIFTER WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED WHILE IN PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10893969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390618 · 2021-01-29 (January 29, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION FLY WHEEL WERE FAULTY. THE ALTERNATOR AND FLY WHEEL WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE EVENTUALLY RECURRED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 210,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390618 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 10717301 · 2015-05-19 (May 19, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE RAM 5500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V527000 (STEERING) AND 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/14/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10717301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995221 · 2017-06-14 (June 14, 2017)
MAY 30, 2017 MY 2014 RAM 5500 DIESEL DUMP TRUCK HAD A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE/MELTING FROM THE FIRE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN APRIL OF 2015 AND IT WAS 'JUST OUT OF WARRANTY" AT JUST OVER 37,000 MILES ON IT. THE SOURCE OF THE DAMAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE DENSO INTERNATIONAL ALTERNATOR. FCA SENT A FIELD INSPECTOR TO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE TRUCK WAS TOWED, AND MY VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO SENT AN INSPECTOR THERE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL COVER MOST OF THE DAMAGES BUT NOT THE ALTERNATOR NOR THE LABOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 37,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995221 at NHTSA ↗
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 11403861 · 2021-03-19 (March 19, 2021)
THE HIGH PRESSURE BOOSTER HOSE INTERIOR LINER CAME APART AND JAMMED INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE PORT. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. THIS IS AN AMBULANCE, WE HAVE MULTIPLE OF THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL. IT WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND RESULTED IN A NEAR MISS. THROUGH AN INTERNET SEARCH AND CALLING THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND SPEAKING TO THE MECHANIC, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS. HTTPS://WWW.DIESELTRUCKRESOURCE.COM/FORUMS/4TH-GEN-RAM-NON-DRIVETRAIN-2010-UP-202/STEERING-LOCKS-UP-BRAKE-A…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11288429 · 2019-12-11 (December 11, 2019)
ON I-40 EASTBOUND MILE MARKER 121 VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. I HEAR AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE TRUCK WHICH CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER AND HAD TO FIGHT WITH TRUCK TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD ALL WHY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED CUTTING WIRE HARNESS IN HALF AND RUPTURING THE FUEL LINE. TRUCK WAS SMOKING BAD AS OIL AND FUEL WAS LEAKING EVERYWHERE. TRUCK IS INOP AT THIS POINT. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS MATTER IN AN EFFORT TO HELP OTHERS FROM THIS EXPERIENCE. I ALMOST WRECKED TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AFTER THE TRANSF…
Owner-reported narrative. 139,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268481 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHFORK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM [phone removed], LOCATED AT 17725 S FREEWAY, MANVEL, TX 77578) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUSE IN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427075 · 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT CONTAMINATING THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM WITH METAL FRAGEMENTS. TRUCK DERATED TO 5MPH. SAT AT DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 3 MONTHS DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427075 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2013: 9; 2014: 10; 2015: 8; 2016: 7; 2017: 7; 2018: 8; 2019: 9; 2020: 9; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 4; 2026: 4