2018 Ram 5500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (12) · Service Brakes (9) · Wheels (4)
🧭 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)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2024-11-27 · campaign 24V896000 · 317,630 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
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
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2019-05-13 · campaign 19V359000 · 1 vehicles
Defect: Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling one 2018 Dodge 5500-based fire truck equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Unruh Fire has notified the owner and will provide replacement brake lights, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2019-03-28 · campaign 19V255000 · 1 vehicles
Defect: Blanchat Mfg., Inc. (Blanchat) is recalling one 2018 B-27 Minuteman vehicle built on a RAM 5500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Blanchat has notified the owner, and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 27, 2019. Owners may contact Blanchat customer service at 1-620-896-7145.
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2018-05-01 · campaign 18V277000 · 2,457 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules, which can allow the ferrules to corrode.
Risk: If the ferrules corrode, the brake fluid may leak and cause a loss of braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U41.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2018-02-08 · campaign 18V100000 · 180,462 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 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 open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key
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 Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.
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.
Service bulletins (308)
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
Engine 2026-07-29 · 113744 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sensor - turbocharger speed
Engine 2026-07-29 · 113742 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sensor - turbocharger speed
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Structure:body 2026-06-26 · S2208000045 REV.D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
backup camera poor image quality inspection
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Showing the 6 most recent of 308 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ram 5500. the contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the hydraulic brake warning light, abs warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. additionally, the stopping distance increased. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulic); the vehicle was pr…”
2026-09-18 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 8,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of…”
2026-07-28 · Service Brakes“subject: complaint regarding delayed safety recall repair – 2018 ram 5500 (recall c4b / nhtsa recall 24v-896) i own a 2018 ram 5500 chassis cab, vin [xxx]. my truck is subject to safety recall c4b (nhtsa recall 24v-896) involving the abs hydraulic control unit (hcu). i have attempted to have this safety recall completed, but the repair has been d…”
2026-07-27 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact stated that the abs warning light was int…”
2026-05-07 · Service Brakes“recall c4b hydraulic control unit still not addressed as of may 7 2026 recall received on …”
2026-05-04 · Suspension“ref nhtsa 24v-896, recall c4b the problem started back in 2021 when the anti-lock brake hydraulic control unit failed. it was replaces and then it failed again in dec 2024 while on vacation. when returning home in jan 2025, the truck was brought to the dealer for repair. it was found to have failed again and told that a repair parts were not availa…”
2026-04-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact stated that while driving at an und…”
2026-01-27 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 65,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brake, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a warning chime activated continuously. the abs and brake warning lights were illuminated. the l…”
2025-12-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 65,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ram 5500. the contact received a notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that while attempting to come to a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond while the brake pedal was depressed. the abs and…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.