Ram 5500 Reliability
199 NHTSA complaints (2013–2025). Complaint rate: 210.6 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2018 Ram 5500. The 2019–2021 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: POWER TRAIN.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Ram 5500 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 43 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 18 | 11.1% |
| WHEELS | 17 | 17.6% |
| STEERING | 14 | 7.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE | 13 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 13 | 0.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 9 | 33.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 | 14.3% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | — | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 21 | 4 | 6 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015 | — | 20 | 0 | 1 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016 | — | 23 | 2 | 1 | View 2016View→ |
| 2017 | — | 25 | 0 | 3 | View 2017View→ |
| 2018AVOID | — | 42 | 1 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019GOOD | — | 11 | 0 | 1 | View 2019View→ |
| 2020GOOD | — | 11 | 3 | 1 | View 2020View→ |
| 2021GOOD | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | View 2021View→ |
| 2022AVOID | — | 32 | 1 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 3 | 1 | — | View 2025View→ |
See also: Ram 5500accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Ram 5500?
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