Ram

5500

Heavy Duty Chassis Cab · model years 2013 to 2022

See all 31 5500 trims All Ram cars

The verdict

Worst year: 2022. complaints: 26, about 2.2x this model's typical 12; recalls: 4, below this model's typical 8.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Ram 5500
Year	Trims	HP	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2013	2Diesel	no data	9	4	2 (1 open)	POWER TRAIN 33%, ENGINE 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%
complaints: 4, below this model's typical 6 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 8 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2014	4Diesel, Gas	no data	10	11	2 (1 open)	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, ENGINE 14%, STEERING 14%
complaints: 11, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 10, above this model's typical 8 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 52 of 100, where higher is better.
2015	4Diesel	no data	8	13	3 (1 open)	ENGINE 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, POWER TRAIN 15%
complaints: 13, above this model's typical 12 recalls: 8, in line with this model's typical 8 complaints reporting a fire: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	3Diesel	no data	7	17	2 (1 open)	POWER TRAIN 25%, WHEELS 25%, STEERING 13%
complaints: 17, about 1.9x this model's typical 9 recalls: 7, below this model's typical 8 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 28 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	5Diesel, Gas	no data	7	21	2 (1 open)	POWER TRAIN 27%, SERVICE BRAKES 10%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%
complaints: 21, above this model's typical 15 recalls: 7, below this model's typical 8 complaints reporting a fire: 2 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 46 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	4Diesel	no data	9	12	2 (1 open)	FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 23%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 23%, ENGINE 8%
complaints: 12, in line with this model's typical 12 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 8 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 52 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	3Diesel, Gas	no data	9	8	2 (1 open)	SEAT BELTS 18%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 18%, AIR BAGS 9%
complaints: 8, below this model's typical 9 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 8 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 52 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Diesel	360	5	4	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, FIRERELATED 17%, SERVICE BRAKES 17%
complaints: 4, below this model's typical 6 recalls: 5, below this model's typical 8 complaints reporting a fire: 2 NHTSA advised parking the 2021 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 49 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	4Diesel, Gas	360	4	26	1 (1 open)	POWER TRAIN 72%, STEERING 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3%
complaints: 26, about 2.2x this model's typical 12 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 8 NHTSA advised parking the 2022 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 7 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Owner complaints2013: 4 to 2022: 26

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Ram 5500 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.