Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 2015 RAM 5500 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 41
Against the median year of the RAM 5500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 26
5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 RAM 5500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
525.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 79,000 mi
Electrical System
420.0%
Median failure at 117,935 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
315.0%
Median failure at 137,000 miles
Wheels
210.0%
Median failure at 34,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.0%
Median failure at 180,000 miles
Tires
15.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.0%
Median failure at 137,000 miles
Suspension
15.0%
Median failure at 34,000 miles
Brakes
15.0%
Median failure at 148,870 miles
Steering
15.0%
Median failure at 48,500 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
531.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
16.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
212.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
531.3%
150,000+ miles
318.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2016peak 4Dec 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 RAM 5500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures of the BTSI described in the VOQs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17V-821 or 18V-100.Both recalls address a potential condition which can ca...
PE19017Opened 12 Dec 2019Closed 22 Oct 2023POWER TRAIN
Front Driveshaft Failure
On December 12, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-017 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging failures of the front driveshaft and/or transfer case, resulting in conditions of 1) a loss of engine power, 2) loss of steering assist, 3) loss of foundation brakes, 4) unintended air bag deployment and 5) engine/cab fires from combustible fluids striking hot exhaust components. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 through 2017 RAM 4500 and 5500 vehicles. ODI received information from the vehicle manufacturer [...
RQ15004Opened 24 Jul 2015Closed 5 Jan 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Software security vulnerability
On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query, RQ 15-004, to investigate HU security vulnerabilities and remedy effectiveness in the recalled population and to determine whether similar units have been supplied for use in other FCA vehicles.In an August 11, 2015...
Recalls on the 2015 RAM 5500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024548314,717 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202133630,899 units in Canada
Wheels
Issue: On certain pickup and chassis-cab trucks, the owner's manual and service manual list the wrong torque specification for the wheel nuts. As a result, some trucks may have had the lug nuts over-tightened during servicing. This can damage the wheel studs and, over time, they could break. If this happens, a wheel could separate from the truck. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts. Safety Risk: A wheel separation could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. A wheel that separates could also hit another person or vehicle. Corrective Action: FCA Canada will contact owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to inspect and replace the wheel studs, as necessary. They will also provide an update for the torque specification listed in the owner's manual.
Recall 2018269635,880 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, an electronic fault may create a situation where the cruise control cannot be deactivated. If this occurs and the driver does not apply the brakes or shift the transmission to neutral, the vehicle could maintain speed or accelerate without warning, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software and perform an update as necessary. Note: In the interim, owners are advised not to use the cruise control until the vehicle is repaired.
Recall 20176637,391 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles equipped with the Roadside Emergency Kit containing a Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive force to activate. Also, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury, and fail to discharge. In case of fire, failure of the extinguisher to function could result in injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the suspect Kidde fire extinguisher with a new Kidde fire extinguisher with a steel nozzle. For more information about recalled fire extinguishers, please visit <a href="https://inmarmarketaction.com/kidde/Kidde284CA/">www.kidde.com</a>.
Recall 2017659290,200 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with a steering column gear shifter, the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) may become inoperative. This could allow the steering column gear shifter lever to be shifted out of the PARK (P) position without depressing the service brake pedal or having the key in the ignition, which could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the BTSI as necessary. The Body Control Module (BCM) will also be updated.
Recall 201744149,697 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with 6.7 litre diesel engines, the water pump could fail. This could result in an underhood fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the water pump with a new one.
Recall 201532832 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the front suspension upper control arms may have been improperly welded during the manufacturing process. This could cause the weld connecting the bushing loop to the upper control arm to break without any warning resulting in a loss of vehicle stability, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace any defective front suspension upper control arms.
Recall 2015204169 units in Canada
Powertrain
Certain cab and chassis vehicles equipped with 6.4L gasoline engines may have been configured with a 171 km/h governed maximum speed, while the tires on the vehicle are rated to a maximum speed of 140 km/h. Vehicle operation at speeds greater than the speed rating of the tires may result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will update vehicle software.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 79,000 milesPoint Richmond, CAFire
ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO AN ISSUE WHERE WHITE SMOKE WOULD APPEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR DIAGNOSTICS. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE WAY TO ANOTHER DEALER LOCATION.
NHTSA complaint #11283173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Louisburg, NC
ENGINE
Intake air grid heater nut came off and blew the #6 piston and engine needs to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11629076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
WHEELS
While traveling on a highway at speeds in excess of 50mph the 2015 Ram 5500 lost the rear set of dual tires on the passenger side. The wheels came off after all 10-wheel studs failed and broke off. This is the second incident on this same truck despite going through the warranty process and procedures through Stellantis/Ram. No incident or injuries resulted from the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11608982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesCarrollton, TX
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 69 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally with abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and noticed transmission fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the transfer case was fractured. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel rail, Service 4-WD, and the braking system messages were displayed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #11502580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 69 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally with abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and noticed transmission fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the transfer case was fractured. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel rail, Service 4-WD, and the braking system messages were displayed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #11502580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drums, PA
ENGINE
Vehicle is 2015 and has 44.4k miles on it. Had it in for a routine oil change and the mechanic showed me that the oil pan is in extremely poor condition with multiple rot spots all over and could fail at anytime. Mopar extended warranty covers oil pans, but they dont cover rust. An oil pan is a static part, the only way it could fail is from rust or a catastrophic engine failure where a connecting rod may protrude through it. Seems to be a common problem with these oil pans failing at a high rate. I have a 1977 chevy 289k miles with no problems on that oil pan. Perhaps the metal used in production was of poor quality which caused premature and expedited corrosion.
NHTSA complaint #11500141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,500 milesLithonia, GA
POWER TRAIN
HAVE HAD SHIFTING ISSUE'S IN THE PAST, REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS TRANS SOLENOIDS. NOW, OUT OF WARRANTY, IT'S THE TRANS WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #11404171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,500 milesLithonia, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVE HAD SHIFTING ISSUE'S IN THE PAST, REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS TRANS SOLENOIDS. NOW, OUT OF WARRANTY, IT'S THE TRANS WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #11404171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesGeorgetown TX, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DPF FILTER IS SAYING THAT ITS CLOGGED AND IT WON'T REGIN. CODES: P0234, P24A2,P0420,P0087,P2228,P1193,P243F,P0102,P203F,P2280
NHTSA complaint #11384489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesGeorgetown TX, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DPF FILTER IS SAYING THAT ITS CLOGGED AND IT WON'T REGIN. CODES: P0234, P24A2,P0420,P0087,P2228,P1193,P243F,P0102,P203F,P2280
NHTSA complaint #11384489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesGeorgetown TX, TX
ENGINE
THE DPF FILTER IS SAYING THAT ITS CLOGGED AND IT WON'T REGIN. CODES: P0234, P24A2,P0420,P0087,P2228,P1193,P243F,P0102,P203F,P2280
NHTSA complaint #11384489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,870 milesDumas, TX
POWER TRAIN
TRUCK WAS ON HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH. DRIVER SAID IT STARTED SHAKING VERY HARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WERE PARTS OF THE TRANSFER CASE ALL OVER THE ROAD. DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WIRING WAS WRAPPED AROUND YOKE, UNDERNEATH OF CAB IS DAMAGED, BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGED, DEF SYSTEM DAMAGED, ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CANT BE SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #11286892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,870 milesDumas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRUCK WAS ON HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH. DRIVER SAID IT STARTED SHAKING VERY HARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WERE PARTS OF THE TRANSFER CASE ALL OVER THE ROAD. DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WIRING WAS WRAPPED AROUND YOKE, UNDERNEATH OF CAB IS DAMAGED, BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGED, DEF SYSTEM DAMAGED, ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CANT BE SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #11286892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,870 milesDumas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TRUCK WAS ON HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH. DRIVER SAID IT STARTED SHAKING VERY HARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WERE PARTS OF THE TRANSFER CASE ALL OVER THE ROAD. DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WIRING WAS WRAPPED AROUND YOKE, UNDERNEATH OF CAB IS DAMAGED, BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGED, DEF SYSTEM DAMAGED, ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CANT BE SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #11286892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesPoint Richmond, CAFire
ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO AN ISSUE WHERE WHITE SMOKE WOULD APPEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR DIAGNOSTICS. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE WAY TO ANOTHER DEALER LOCATION.
NHTSA complaint #11283173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,500 milesColorado Springs, CO
STEERING
STEERING DRAG LINK BROKEN OFF ON PASSENGER (LONG ARM) SIDE OF ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE. NO IMPACT DAMAGE. PART APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. ONLY APPROX 1/3 TO 1/2 OF THE ROD WAS FUSED TOGETHER (SEE PICTURE). VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP AND TURNING IN A PARKING LOT, SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL WITH SERVICE BRAKES LIGHTLY APPLIED. VEHICLE IS HEAVILY LOADED (ELECTRICAL BUCKET TRUCK)
NHTSA complaint #11122757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMins, FL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 5500. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIELDS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE-SANFORD (750 TOWNE CENTER BLVD, SANFORD, FL), BUT A LEAK COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTERWARDS, THE LOW COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT SPEWED OUT ONTO THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE LOCAL DEALER (BREWBAKER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM OF PRATTVILLE, 2209 COBBS FORD RD, PRATTVILLE, AL) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ORLANDO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (4101 W COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL) WHERE IT WAS INITIALLY DIAGNOSED AS MUDDY WATER ON THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE BECAME MORE SEVERE AFTER ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ORLANDO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM AND THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ORLANDO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11045917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesTupelo, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY SAVER MODE MSG APPEARED ON DASH. TRUCK HAD 87,000 MILES AND 2400 HOURS. USED AS A ROADSIDE SERVICE WRECKER. TESTED BATTERIES. 1 TESTED BAD. REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES. MESSAGE COMES BACK AT STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS. MSG STAYS ON UNTIL TRUCK IS WARMED LATER IN THE DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10950205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesSpring, TX
WHEELS
FRONT TIRES UNEVEN WEAR, TIRE CUPPING. VIBRATION AND NOISY!
NHTSA complaint #10838538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesSpring, TX
SUSPENSION
FRONT TIRES UNEVEN WEAR, TIRE CUPPING. VIBRATION AND NOISY!
NHTSA complaint #10838538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
TIRES
FRONT TIRES. TIRES WEAR UNEVEN. MOSTLY PASSENGER SIDE. CUPPING OF OF BOTH. NOTICEABLE VIBRATION. SAME THING HAPPENED WITH MY 2011 MODEL OF THE SAME VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10838537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.