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Ram 5500Model year report

2018 Ram 5500 Problems

Complaints
39filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Ram 5500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ram 5500. The part named most often is brakes, with 26 complaints (67% of the total), followed by wheels (5) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 308 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the control unit/module and 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Wheels complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Forward collision avoidance (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “Twice in the past year I have experienced a loss of the ABS braking system. Warning messages appear to service the ABS braking system as well as a general braking system malfunction. This loss of ABS is intermittent. I have taken it to the dealer to have it fixed both times, and they have replace the hydraulic control unit and ABS module. Mechanic told me this is a very common problem with these trucks. I was put at risk by not having a functioning ABS.”

NHTSA complaint #11554629, filed 2023-11

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 was nornal and my frint 19.5 wheel cracked in the middle with no impact or tire dammage radio wuits and freezes reboots several timex a day”

NHTSA complaint #11252128, filed 2019-08, 7,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11404657, filed 2021-03, 100,066 miles

Vehicle speed control: “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 the roadway is lost etc. Please initiate a recall for this issue for these generation of trucks so this safety issue can be addressed.”

NHTSA complaint #11570074, filed 2024-02

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 93,000 miles.

16%0–105%10–250%25–5026%50–7532%75–10016%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

201920202021202220232024202520269
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2018 Ram 5500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 308 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 308 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ram 5500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2022261,9734——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2020825,0009———Not enough data
201912136,5009———Not enough data
20183980,0008——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20172185,0007———Falling
20161782,0007———Rising
20151379,0008———Not enough data
20141189,97110———Not enough data

All Ram 5500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Ram 5500 have?

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ram 5500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Ram 5500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 26 complaints (67% of the total), followed by wheels with 5.

Has the 2018 Ram 5500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Ram 5500 reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 93,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.