2018 RAM 5500 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 RAM 5500.

20172019
Complaints
42
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2018 RAM 5500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#19 complaints

Brakes

#29 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:66,102 mi
#34 complaints

Wheel Issues

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 RAM 5500.

Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,102
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 RAM 5500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 RAM 5500

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,825,988 vehicles.

24V896000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~317,630 affected

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.

21V398000Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
~447,985 affected

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.

19V359000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
~1 affected

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.

19V255000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
~1 affected

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.

18V332000Electrical System:software · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · Electrical System:wiring
~4,815,661 affected

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.

18V277000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~2,457 affected

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.

18V100000Automatic Transmission
~180,462 affected

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.

17V824000Other Equipment
~61,791 affected

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

Other RAM 5500 Years

2018 RAM 5500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 RAM 5500 reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2018 RAM 5500 has 42 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 RAM 5500?
Top reported problems: Brakes (9 complaints); Hydraulic Brakes (9 complaints, avg 66,102 mi); Wheel Issues (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 RAM 5500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 66,102 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 RAM 5500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 RAM 5500 include 1 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 RAM 5500 have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,825,988 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 RAM 5500?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (brakes) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full RAM 5500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2018 RAM 5500

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