Ram 5500 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ram 5500 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2013 drew the fewest (4) and the 2018 the most (38).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
2 | 4 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 9 | Power train | — | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 5 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
8 | 9 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2014 | 11 | 10 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2019 | 12 | 9 | Fuel system | — | — |
| 2015 | 13 | 8 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
17 | 7 | Power train | — | — |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
21 | 7 | Power train | — | — |
| 2022 | 26 | 4 | Power train | — | — |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
38 | 8 | Service brakes | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ram 5500 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Ram 5500: 38 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 25 (66%); Wheels 5 (13%); Power train 4 (11%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Ram 5500: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 8 (38%); Service brakes 6 (29%); Tires 3 (14%).
Reports mention 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Ram 5500: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (35%); Wheels 6 (35%); Steering 3 (18%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 82,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Ram 5500 years with the fewest complaints
2013 Ram 5500: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 2 (50%); Engine 1 (25%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (25%).
9 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Ram 5500: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (50%); Firerelated 1 (25%); Service brakes 1 (25%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Ram 5500: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 3 (38%); Seat belts 2 (25%); Air bags 1 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 4 injuries. 9 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ram 5500 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2017 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2016 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2015 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ram 5500 recalls
- Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled (2014–2018 model years; 4,815,661 vehicles across all models; filed May 2018; 18V332000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2010 model year; 4,648,270 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V352000)
- Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2010 model year; 4,077,169 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V313000)
- Vehicle May Rollaway (2013–2017 model years; 1,482,874 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2017; 17V821000)
- Radio Software Security Vulnerabilities (2013–2015 model years; 1,416,903 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2015; 15V461000)
All 45 Ram 5500 recall campaigns · Ram 5500 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ram 5500 years FAQ
Which Ram 5500 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2013 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (4). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ram 5500 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2017 and 2016 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ram 5500 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (48 of 156 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ram 5500 have?
NHTSA lists 45 recall campaigns covering the Ram 5500. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ram 5500 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.