Ram 5500 Complaints

32 consumer complaints on file.

#11757945August 19, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at an unspecified speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The contact was the only occupant inside the vehicle and was able to exit the vehicle safely. The color of the smoke was white and blue. The fire originated at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towing a trailer with other vehicles onboard. Several of the vehicles were damaged by the fire. The fire was extinguished by the local Fire Department. A fire report was not filed; however, a Police report was filed. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. No injury was sustained. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System). However, a month after the fire had consumed the vehicle, the recall was initiated. The manufacturer stated the recall repair could not cover the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720384February 25, 2026
AIR BAGS
Vehicle was hit hard on the front & left, totalling the truck. None of the air bags activated.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11720296February 24, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While operating my commercial truck , the trailer brake did not work and nearly caused a catastrophic accident. Upon inspection, trailer brake module has failed, power steering fluid leaking, Hydroboost leaking, I towed it to the dealership and they told me the truck is not safe to drive and the brake parts are back ordered and it may take more than 2 months or more for it to become available. They are unsure of when it would be resolved and that the truck is unsafe to drive. I opened a case with RAM and asked for a buyback review. CASE# 95785076
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710690January 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 towing a vehicle on a flatbed. The contact stated that the driver noticed multiple lights were illuminated, and the RPM was at zero. The driver stated that an abnormal knocking sound could be heard coming from under the front of the tow truck. The driver pulled to the side of the road and immediately exited the vehicle. The tow truck driver used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. None of the air bags deployed. The driver did not sustain any injuries. The contact stated that the damage by the fire was isolated to one side of the engine, by the heater of the relay intake on the driver side. The wires that were connected to the relay were damaged. The fire department was called. The police were called and arrived after the fire was extinguished. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the business location. The contact owns a vehicle electrical shop and determined that the fire was electrical. There was no damage to the vehicle that was towed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The insurance company was not notified. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,040.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642692February 14, 2025
STEERING
Our driver told us that he lost steering. At 35 mph on a open highway (which is confirmed by our gps). He also has a clean driving record and has been driving box truck for decades with no incident. Once steering was lost the box truck to slam in into the barrier twice , than roll onto its side. There where no other cars involved in the accident and the truck is now totaled. There is so much damage done to the truck it is hard to pinpoint the failure point. The center link is broken and the tie rod end is snapped off. The truck only has 38,000 miles on it. The air bags weren't deployed and the driver had to be pulled out of the truck. The police confirmed the steering failure point on the police report. There was no warning of the failure. Until the accident.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623278November 2, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Dealership confirmed K1 and K2 snap ring failure on a 22 Dodge Ram under warranty with 15933 miles. Transmission was manufactured in August of the truck build. On [XXX] while driving my 22 Ram 5500 the truck lost all forward gears while coming down the mountain with a loaded truck camper and pulling a trailer with an ATV. Truck was below GVWR. This truck had 15933 miles and 24 months old. All servicing intervals were met and serviced at a certified Dodge dealership. The truck was traveling at 25 MPH down hill in steep terrain on a dirt road. The exhaust brake and tow haul mode was selected and operational. The vehicle shuddered and made a thump and had an associated check engine light with an Adaptive Cruise Control caution indication. The vehicle started to rapidly speed up downhill and I gently applied the brakes to regain control. I coasted approximately 2 miles to find a safe pull off point in the mountains with no forward gears. After the vehicle was safely stopped I was able to confirm the malfunction with no forward gears and reverse only. I was fortunate to be able to flag a ride after hiking out to the [XXX] to get my wife and I out of the National Forest and get cellular service. The nearest service provider was the Ram dealership in Lewiston Idaho. I made arrangements and the Truck was delivered the next day by a semi tow vehicle. We incurred a two night stay at the Hampton Inn to get repairs lined up and arrange travel home. After multiple conversations with the dealership and a trip down there to discuss the issue with the dealership they finally diagnosed and fixed the problem after 33 days sitting on the lot. The truck was delivered back to me on 9 October. The diagnosis of the K1 and K2 snap ring poses a serious safety issue for owners and operators of this vehicle. This malfunction caused some significant financial burden as well due to the truck being inoperative and away 140 miles from home. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620325October 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the engine was revving but the vehicle was not gaining any forward momentum. The contact pulled the vehicle over and turned the vehicle off and on, however, when the contact had shifted the vehicle into drive (D) the vehicle was not moving. The contact determined that he only had reverse (R) gear functioning. The contact had checked online and read that he would be able to manually shift to 5th gear. The contact was able to return to his workplace and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE24009 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605587July 31, 2024
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 50–55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power due to the transmission failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Speck Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (125 E Allen Rd., Sunnyside, WA 98944), where it was diagnosed that the snap ring was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587840May 9, 2024
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The transmission failed at approximately 3000 miles. Reverse was the only gear to function properly. The truck has been at the dealership for over 2 months and they have not fixed it yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582331April 11, 2024
POWER TRAIN
K1 snap ring failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576587March 11, 2024
WHEELS
This is a 2022 Dodge Ram 5500. The wheel studs broke off while driving on the interstate, and the dually tires came off. This is a major safety issue and the driver had a narrow escape. This same issue persisted through the 2012-2021 model years and RAM had a recall (Y26) for those years. I do not believe the issue has been fixed for the 2022 model year. When I asked RAM for reimbursement for the replacement studs and labor, they turned it down saying my model year was not on the list I am looking to escalate this matter before someone else gets impacted by this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559320December 9, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Truck has 6500 miles, went to put it in reverse from drive in busy intersection and transmission started to slip. Truck ultimately wouldn't drive at all. Started throwing codes (P0731-00 in particular) and found out that it needs a new K1 clutch snap ring repair. There are more than 300 people with this issue, this has not only happened with me from my research on forums about this code being thrown. This is a 2022 with 6500 miles, there are too low of miles on this truck for it to be having a problem like this!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548378October 5, 2023
FIRERELATED
See attached document from complainant
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540149August 22, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the 4-WD unavailable message displayed. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 1,973.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539989August 22, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear, and started to coast while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he veered off the roadway to safety and notified a towing company. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the snap rings failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he had previously informed the dealers of TSB: 21-002-23 but was informed that the vehicle needed to experience a complete failure to receive the repair under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537754August 10, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I drive a RAM 5500, 20' Jerrdan Flatbed Tow truck. We had just purchased this truck about a week and a half prior to the transmission failure. We had 2500 miles on it, and were towing two vehicles behind. We pulled off of the highway, and then felt an extremely hard clunk underneath the truck to which the rear tires locked up, and stopped us in the middle of the road. Once we were stopped, the truck began to clunk louder so hard it would shake the entire truck. Then a CEL appeared, for PO731 and P0734, the truck in drive would only rev and not move. Reverse did work however. But we could not reverse anywhere as we were in the middle of the highway. We had to get a tow truck which took 4 hours because nobody wanted to tow us due to the situation. We almost got hit so many times, it was so dangerous and scary for me and my passenger, as we thought we were going to crash when the rear wheels locked up. This issue needs to be taken much more seriously and looked into becoming a recall. Somebody on the highway could get KILLED!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535268July 29, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Were were driving in stop and go traffic outside Durham, NC on I 147/885. After being stopped for a few seconds I depressed the accelerator to move forward. There was a bang and I thought some one had hit me from behind. Then I noticed the engine light on the dash and the truck would not move forward. I was able to get the shifter in park. All temps and pressures on the dash were normal including the transmission. There was no fluid leaking from under the truck. We were in lane three of the highway and cars, trucks, and tractor trailers were passing us on the shoulder and the left lane. I tried using the in vehicle SOS button but the guy on the other end only referred me to call a different number. That number I sat on the line for over 20min while sitting in traffic unable to move with vehicles passing me on the left and right. finally a deputy showed up and was able to control the traffic. 3 hours later it was finally towed to Hendrick Dodge in Cary, NC. Currently waiting on it to be evaluated by the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533043July 18, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Description: The Aisin transmission in my new Ram 2022 5500 unexpectedly failed in the middle of the highway, despite the vehicle having only 5,000 miles on it. This sudden breakdown posed a significant safety risk to me and other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, the truck is currently at Johnson's Auto Center in Denver, but they are unable to provide an estimated time for inspecting the transmission. It appears probable that a new transmission will need to be ordered to resolve the issue. Regrettably, I do not have any further details or insights regarding the incident and its cause at this time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529692June 30, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Driving on the freeway with no warning got an engine light, ABS light, 4 Wheel drive light and transmission failed. It will not go into drive only reverse
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524902June 1, 2023
STEERING
Center (drag) link as a part of the steering linkage assembly snapped after 40,000 miles. I was driving < 5 miles an hour attempting to park my vehicle when I heard a large snap sound, which, upon further investigation, was the center link that snapped in half. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership for repairs. Had the vehicle been in a more dense area or if I were driving on the highway and not attempting to park, a sudden loss of steering capability could have been fatal. The dealer has acknowledged the center link was broken after completing their diagnostic. I’m not sure if the vehicle part was returned to the manufacturer for inspection and there was no insurance claim for an adjuster to review. I do know from open source information that Ram has had issues (recalls I believe as well) with the steering rod or otherwise steering linkage assembly in the past. There were no lights or indicators suggesting an imminent failure in the steering system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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