2018 RAM 5500
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 RAM 5500 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
2018 RAM 5500 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2018 RAM 5500 recalls 8
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.
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.
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.
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 le…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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 c…
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.
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.
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 shift…
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…
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 e…
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…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2018 RAM 5500 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure Open
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 failure…
NHTSA #RQ25003 · Power Train · opened Jul 2025An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 308
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 308.
AIR CLEANER - NONE Instruction to Dealers while ordering the PN# 68137142AD. 1. If the Air Cleaner Assembly is functional and only the MAF Sensor has failed, the dealer should order and replace only the MAF Sensor(68002441AC). 2. If the Air Cleaner Assembly ha…
Bulletin 9100923 · Engine, Electrical System · Sep 2026SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED
Bulletin 113742 · Electrical System, Engine · Jul 2026SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED
Bulletin 113744 · Electrical System, Engine · Jul 2026Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
Bulletin S2208000045 REV.D · Structure · Jun 2026Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
Bulletin S1203000003 REV.A · Service Brakes · Jun 2026BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
Bulletin 112906 · Engine · Jun 2026BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
Bulletin 112906 · Engine · Jun 2026Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
Bulletin S1623000028 Rev. K · Electrical System, Structure · Jun 2026Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
Bulletin S1623000028 REV.J · Structure · Jun 2026For Dealer awareness, HD truck, eliminate 1 of 2 M8 Joints for Sidestep bracket to Body Attachment, Bolt and rivet (06102165AA, 06511062AA) per TCR # 402632, CN 80403-T18
Bulletin 9100831 · Structure · Jun 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 5500. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 7
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2018 RAM 5500. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Brakes
Issue: On certain trucks, the brake hydraulic control unit could fail. Over time, this could cause the antilock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) system and/or traction control not to work. Note: This recall also affects certain RAM 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cab incomplete vehicles. Safety Risk: An antilock braking system, electronic stability control s…
Transport Canada #2024727 · Nov 2024Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: Thi…
Transport Canada #2024548 · Aug 2024Wheels
Issue: On certain pickup and chassis-cab trucks, the owner's manual and service manual list the wrong torque specification for the wheel nuts. As a result, some trucks may have had the lug nuts over-tightened during servicing. This can damage the wheel studs and, over time, they could break. If this happens, a wheel could separate from the truck. Note: This recall only affects…
Transport Canada #2021336 · May 2021Engine
On certain vehicles, an electronic fault may create a situation where the cruise control cannot be deactivated. If this occurs and the driver does not apply the brakes or shift the transmission to neutral, the vehicle could maintain speed or accelerate without warning, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the…
Transport Canada #2018269 · May 2018Brakes
Certain cab chassis vehicles may have been built without corrosion protection on the two brake hoses located between the master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit. Premature corrosion of the hoses may cause a brake fluid leak and potentially result in a partial or complete loss of brake function, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damag…
Transport Canada #2018221 · May 2018Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with a steering column gear shifter, the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) may become inoperative. This could allow the steering column gear shifter lever to be shifted out of the PARK (P) position without depressing the service brake pedal or having the key in the ignition, which could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the r…
Transport Canada #2018081 · Feb 2018Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.