2018 Ram 5500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ram 5500 has 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (49% of all complaints), specifically: at 95;000 miles abs and traction control lights going on and off on and off, now lights stays on brakes lock up when stopping quickly. speed control no longer works due to this problem. after a google search i found lots of the same problems with other years and model’s having the cummins 6.7 diesel.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

23 complaints

49%

• At 95;000 miles abs and traction control lights going on and off on and off, now lights stays on brakes lock up when stopping quickly. Speed control no longer works due to this problem. After a google search I found lots of the same problems with other years and model’s having the Cummins 6.7 diesel
• ABS module has been replaced twice on this truck. The latest was two weeks ago. However the problem of service ABS and service electronic braking messages still appear randomly, killing the cruise control and dinging. The dealership who took 2 months to get the ABS module this time stated that the H
• ABS TRACTION CONTROL VECHICLE INFO SCREEN SERVICE ABS SYSTEM EBS SYSTEM SERVICE HAVE HAD THE VECHICL FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP FIXED TEMPORARILY THAN ALL THE ALARMS GO BACK ON AFTER A SHORT TIME ITS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIME PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“At 95;000 miles abs and traction control lights going on and off on and off, now lights stays on brakes lock up when stopping quickly. Speed control no longer works due to this problem. After a google search I found lots of the same problems with other years and model’s having the Cummins 6.7 diesel”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

5 complaints

11%

• MY TRUCK FROM NEW GAD TURBO EXHAUST MANIFOLDS KEPT WARPING BREAKING BOLTS IN THE HEAD EVERYTIME MY RADIO QUITS AND REBOOTS AND GLITCHES AFTER TRUCK UPDATES RUNS POORLY WITH EXCESSIVE EGT AND DEALERS TEFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME KEPT TELLIN ME THEY DIDNT HAVE PROPER TECH OR TOOLS OR WAS TOLD ALL WA
• THE REAR WHEEL STUDS BUST OFF WHEN THE WHEELS GET MUD IN THEM. ONCE THE FIRST ONE GOES THE OTHERS GO RIGHT AWAY. THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY, IN MOTION DRIVING STRAIGHT. WE ALSO OWN A 2013 RAM 5500 VIN #[XXX] THAT WE'VE HAD THEM BREAK OFF OF ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT TIMES. I ASSUMED A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS BUT
• 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 manufa

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY TRUCK FROM NEW GAD TURBO EXHAUST MANIFOLDS KEPT WARPING BREAKING BOLTS IN THE HEAD EVERYTIME MY RADIO QUITS AND REBOOTS AND GLITCHES AFTER TRUCK UPDATES RUNS POORLY WITH EXCESSIVE EGT AND DEALERS TEFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME KEPT TELLIN ME THEY DIDNT HAVE PROPER TECH OR TOOLS OR WAS TOLD ALL WA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

4 complaints

• MY TRUCK FROM NEW GAD TURBO EXHAUST MANIFOLDS KEPT WARPING BREAKING BOLTS IN THE HEAD EVERYTIME MY RADIO QUITS AND REBOOTS AND GLITCHES AFTER TRUCK UPDATES RUNS POORLY WITH EXCESSIVE EGT AND DEALERS TEFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME KEPT TELLIN ME THEY DIDNT HAVE PROPER TECH OR TOOLS OR WAS TOLD ALL WA
• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED IN HALF AND PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE FLOORBOARD OF THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

4 complaints

• ABS TRACTION CONTROL VECHICLE INFO SCREEN SERVICE ABS SYSTEM EBS SYSTEM SERVICE HAVE HAD THE VECHICL FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP FIXED TEMPORARILY THAN ALL THE ALARMS GO BACK ON AFTER A SHORT TIME ITS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIME PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS
• The ABS/HCU module has experienced a premature failure which is a huge safety risk as it controls my vehicles' Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control & Cruise Control systems. Since experiencing this failure, my vehicle has had numerous safety incidents where Braking would lockup, traction with
• My ABS pump went out, causing my stability control to not function and cruise control to not function. Cruise control would randomly deactivate, causing a momentary loss of control and ABS function. Dash light illuminated with codes relating to ABS pump and traction control. ABS pump was replaced (

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ABS TRACTION CONTROL VECHICLE INFO SCREEN SERVICE ABS SYSTEM EBS SYSTEM SERVICE HAVE HAD THE VECHICL FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP FIXED TEMPORARILY THAN ALL THE ALARMS GO BACK ON AFTER A SHORT TIME ITS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIME PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

2 complaints

• I PARKED MY TRUCK AND TURNED IT OFF. WENT INSIDE AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER MY TRUCK ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND WENT ACROSS A BUSY ROUTE 15 . THE TRUCK WAS STILL IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE WHEEL WAS STILL LOCKED AT THE BOTTOM. IT RIPPED THE PLOW OFF MY TRUCK. I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE
• RADIO UCONNECT 8.4 SCREEN DELAMINATING CAUSING RADIO TO GHOST TOUCH THE SCREEN AND MAKE SOS CALLS BY ITSELF. TURNS RADIO ON AND OFF AND FUNCTIONS ALL ON ITS OWN VERY DISTRACTING. ALSO HAPPENED ON MY OTHER 2018 RAM 3500

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I PARKED MY TRUCK AND TURNED IT OFF. WENT INSIDE AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER MY TRUCK ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND WENT ACROSS A BUSY ROUTE 15 . THE TRUCK WAS STILL IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE WHEEL WAS STILL LOCKED AT THE BOTTOM. IT RIPPED THE PLOW OFF MY TRUCK. I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 47 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: At 95;000 miles abs and traction control lights going on and off on and off, now lights stays on brakes lock up when stopping quickly. Speed control no longer works due to this problem. After a google search I found lots of the same problems with other years and model’s having the Cummins 6.7 diesel
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: MY TRUCK FROM NEW GAD TURBO EXHAUST MANIFOLDS KEPT WARPING BREAKING BOLTS IN THE HEAD EVERYTIME MY RADIO QUITS AND REBOOTS AND GLITCHES AFTER TRUCK UPDATES RUNS POORLY WITH EXCESSIVE EGT AND DEALERS TEFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME KEPT TELLIN ME THEY DIDNT HAVE PROPER TECH OR TOOLS OR WAS TOLD ALL WA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MY TRUCK FROM NEW GAD TURBO EXHAUST MANIFOLDS KEPT WARPING BREAKING BOLTS IN THE HEAD EVERYTIME MY RADIO QUITS AND REBOOTS AND GLITCHES AFTER TRUCK UPDATES RUNS POORLY WITH EXCESSIVE EGT AND DEALERS TEFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME KEPT TELLIN ME THEY DIDNT HAVE PROPER TECH OR TOOLS OR WAS TOLD ALL WA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: ABS TRACTION CONTROL VECHICLE INFO SCREEN SERVICE ABS SYSTEM EBS SYSTEM SERVICE HAVE HAD THE VECHICL FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP FIXED TEMPORARILY THAN ALL THE ALARMS GO BACK ON AFTER A SHORT TIME ITS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIME PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)