Dodge RAM 5500 problems by model year

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 2 owner complaints and 12 recalls on file for the Dodge RAM 5500 (2008–2012).

Complaints: 2
Recalls: 12
Model years: 5
Worst year: —

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Dodge RAM 5500 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Every Dodge RAM 5500 model year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Top problem
2012 RAM 5500	1	9	Engine
2011 RAM 5500	1	4	Wheels & Tires
2010 RAM 5500	0	1	—
2009 RAM 5500	0	3	—
2008 RAM 5500	0	3	—

Most common Dodge RAM 5500 problem areas (all years)

Engine
1 complaints
Wheels & Tires
1 complaints

Dodge RAM 5500 recalls

Recall 21V398000May 27, 2021447,985 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Recall 19V018000Jan 15, 20191,413,222 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2010
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 17V824000Dec 21, 201761,791 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Recall 17V821000Dec 20, 20171,482,874 vehiclesModel years 2011–2012
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Recall 16V739000Oct 13, 201674,811 vehiclesModel years 2011–2012
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Recall 16V352000May 24, 20164,648,270 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2008–2009
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 15V459000Jul 22, 20151,059,444 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Recall 15V313000May 26, 20154,077,169 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2008–2009
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 14V635000Oct 8, 2014315,325 vehiclesModel years 2011–2012
Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Recall 13V527000Nov 6, 201336,151 vehiclesModel years 2008–2012
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 13V344000Aug 6, 201385 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 13V239000Jun 4, 20135,622 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: Damage to other components, or sudden loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.

Other Dodge models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology