KnownCarProblems2018 Ram 5500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ram 5500, most often about the brakes (66% of complaints, typically around 72,500 miles). It is the most complained-about 5500 model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ram 5500 problems
Brakes
25 complaints · 66%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
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…
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…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
My truck from new gad turbo exhaust manifolds kept warping breaking bolts in the head everytime my radio quits and reboots and glitches after truck updates runs poorly with excessive egt and dealers tefused to do anything for me kept tellin me they didnt have proper tech or tools or was told all was nornal and my…
The rear wheel studs bust off when the wheels get mud in them. Once the first one goes the others go right away. This was on a highway, in motion driving straight. We also own a 2013 Ram 5500 VIN #[] that we've had them break off of about 5 different times. I assumed a recall was in the works but I've seen nothing to…
Transmission
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: transfer case (4-wheel drive).
My truck from new gad turbo exhaust manifolds kept warping breaking bolts in the head everytime my radio quits and reboots and glitches after truck updates runs poorly with excessive egt and dealers tefused to do anything for me kept tellin me they didnt have proper tech or tools or was told all was nornal and my…
I have a 2018 Ram 5500 and was driving up the interstate working in my truck at posted speed and the truck started to make a very loud noise and boom! The truck bucked like I had hit a solid wall. The trucks indicator light for airbags had came on, but didn't deploy even though I hadn't actually hit anything…
Speed control
4 complaints · 11%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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ram 5500 recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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 this recall are y26 and y36.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: brake lights
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: brake lights
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
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 transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Full defect summary
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 cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
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.
Full defect summary
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 in the ignition.
Equipment
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.
Full defect summary
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 valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2017/rmisc-17e062-5427.pdf
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Post recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 14 vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports and 6 ewr death & injury (d&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) system in certain model year (my) 2013-2018 ram pickup trucks.the subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.the failures of the btsi described in the voqs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17v-821 or 18v-100.both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the btsi locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of park without
Questions about the 2018 Ram 5500
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ram 5500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (25 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); wheels and tires (5 complaints); transmission (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 5500 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 27, 2024 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ram 5500?
- It is the most complained-about 5500 model year since 2000, with 38 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Ram 5500 years
- 2018
- 2022