Most common 2018 Ram 5500 problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ram 5500 complaints by model year
Best 5500 years: 2023, 2013, 2021. Years to avoid: 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016. Compare all years →
2018 Ram 5500 recalls (8)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: 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
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…
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 2 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
Remedy: 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.
Equipment
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2018 Ram 5500:
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
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…
What 2018 Ram 5500 owners say
Brakes all 26 →
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 undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control systems' warning lights illuminated. Due to the failure, the cruise control became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was related to the recall, and confirmed that parts were not yet available. A second dealer, S & L Motors (2298 WI-32, Pulaski, WI 54162); was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, traction control, speed control, and engine brake became inoperable. There was an abnormal ding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Deland Chrysler (2173 S Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32720), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Wheels & tires
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the rear wheel studs fractured. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer which diagnosed failure with the wheel studs. The wheel studs were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels). The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The contact has noted that this incident has happened 10 times and twice since the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Transmission & drivetrain
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, thankfully. Come to find out after having to get a tow to the dealership the transfer case had exploded and came apart which made the driveshaft break loose and come through the floorboard. Who knows what all damage was done because the truck sat at dealership for 6 business days before they even made an attempt to look at it. When I would call I was just pushed to the next day. Then when someone had finally got back with me I was told that Chrysler was wanting specific information, such as maintenance record , tools that would have been used. …
On March 23, 2021, while driving on the highway, I started hearing the same humming noise I heard 8 months ago when I had the transfer case problem. This was the new transfer case the dealership had put in, and all of a sudden there was a loud bang/explosion sound from where the transfer case exploded. I was driving at 60 MPH and was not able to brake as I lost the brakes after the transfer case exploded. After about 30 seconds the truck completely turned off and it started slowing down on its own, and after nearly hitting several cars on the highway I was able to pull over on the side of the highway. The engine wiring harness was damaged as was the driveshaft, brake lines and fuel lines. Apparently these Ram transfer cases are faulty... …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ram 5500 a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 5500 rates avoid: 3.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the 5500 at the same age. It is one of the 5500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ram 5500?
The brakes — 26 complaints, 67% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power assist › electric › control module. Next are the wheels & tires (5) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 5500 have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2018 Ram 5500, the most recent from November 27, 2024 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ram 5500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2013 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2018, 2017 and 2016. See the full Ram 5500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Ram 5500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.