2015 Ram 5500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (4) · Wheels (2) · Tires (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ram 5500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (8)
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2021-05-27 · campaign 21V398000 · 447,985 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (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 stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for
Electrical System:software 2018-05-17 · campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (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, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the c
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmissi
Equipment 2017-12-21 · campaign 17V824000 · 61,791 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (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. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the v
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the op
Risk: 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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2017-09-12 · campaign 17V562000 · 443,874 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
Risk: The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm 2015-07-27 · campaign 15V468000 · 199 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ram 4500, and 5500 pickup trucks manufactured January 30, 2015, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have inadequate penetration of the front upper control arm loop to spacer weld, reducing the front suspension stability.
Risk: A reduction of suspension stability control could affect control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected upper control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R34.
Equipment:electrical:radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 2015-07-23 · campaign 15V461000 · 1,416,903 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
Risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle tha
Tires 2015-05-18 · campaign 15V290000 · 1,771 vehicles
Defect: Chryser (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks manufactured August 20, 2013, to January 27, 2015 and equipped with 6.4L Hemi engines. The affected vehicles have a maximum governed speed of 106 mph but are fitted with tires that are only rated for a maximum speed of 87 mph.
Risk: If the vehicle exceeds the tires' maximum speed rating, the tires may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will correct the electronic control unit software to limit the vehicle's speed to 87 mph, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R17.
Service bulletins (331)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-21 · 9100923 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air cleaner - none instruction to dealers while ordering the pn# 68137142ad. 1. if the air cleaner assembly is functional and only the maf sensor has failed, the dealer should order and replace only the maf sensor(68002441ac). 2. if the air cleaner assembly has failed and the maf sensor remains func
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Structure:body 2026-06-12 · S1623000028 Rev. K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Structure:body 2026-06-05 · S1623000028 REV.J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Showing the 6 most recent of 331 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-05 · Engine“intake air grid heater nut came off and blew the #6 piston and engine needs to be replaced. …”
2024-08-16 · Wheels“while traveling on a highway at speeds in excess of 50mph the 2015 ram 5500 lost the rear set of dual tires on the passenger side. the wheels came off after all 10-wheel studs failed and broke off. this is the second incident on this same truck despite going through the warranty process and procedures through stellantis/ram. no incident or injuries…”
2023-01-19 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · 137,000 mi“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…”
2023-01-04 · Engine“vehicle is 2015 and has 44.4k miles on it. had it in for a routine oil change and the mechanic showed me that the oil pan is in extremely poor condition with multiple rot spots all over and could fail at anytime. mopar extended warranty covers oil pans, but they dont cover rust. an oil pan is a static part, the only way it could fail is from rus…”
2021-03-22 · Power Train · 40,500 mi“have had shifting issue's in the past, repair under warranty was trans solenoids. now, out of warranty, it's the trans wiring harness.…”
2020-12-21 · Unknown Or Other · 180,000 mi“the dpf filter is saying that its clogged and it won't regin. codes: p0234, p24a2,p0420,p0087,p2228,p1193,p243f,p0102,p203f,p2280…”
2019-12-04 · Service Brakes · 148,870 mi“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 dama…”
2019-12-01 · Engine · 79,000 mi · 🔥 fire“vehicle was taken to the dealership due to an issue where white smoke would appear when the engine is under load. dealer was unable to repair the issue due to scheduling conflicts. owner attempted to drive the vehicle to another location for diagnostics. vehicle caught on fire on the way to another dealer location.…”
2018-08-27 · Steering · 48,500 mi“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…”
2017-11-14 · Engine · 50,000 mi“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 c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.