2021 Ram 5500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ram 5500 has 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: the wheel studs broke going down the interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. this caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

1 complaints

20%

• The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.

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

“The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

1 complaints

20%

• The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

1 complaints

20%

• The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

1 complaints

20%

• See attached document from complainant

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

“See attached document from complainant”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints

20%

• The contact owned a 2021 Ram 5500. The contact stated that the vehicle is a flatbed tow truck, and while one of his drivers was driving at 48 MPH, the tow truck driver noticed that white/gray smoke was emitting from under the hood. It was unknown if the smoke entered the vehicle. The tow truck was t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“The contact owned a 2021 Ram 5500. The contact stated that the vehicle is a flatbed tow truck, and while one of his drivers was driving at 48 MPH, the tow truck driver noticed that white/gray smoke was emitting from under the hood. It was unknown if the smoke entered the vehicle. The tow truck was t”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 5 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: See attached document from complainant
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)