2021 RAM 5500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
5
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 RAM 5500
The 2021 RAM 5500 has received a total of 5 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (1 complaint), Firerelated (1 complaint), and Service Brakes (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2021 RAM 5500
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2021 RAM 5500, potentially affecting up to 1,797,477 vehicles.
Recall 25V765000 — STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE
| 532 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved...
View full details →Recall 25V765000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 532 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved...
View full details →Recall 23V060000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS
| 302,067 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
Consequence: An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US...
View full details →Recall 21V798000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS
| 131,177 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
Consequence: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign...
View full details →Recall 21V398000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 447,985 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign...
View full details →Recall 21V163000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 19,214 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.
Consequence: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Customers are...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 RAM 5500
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 RAM 5500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
See attached document from complainant
The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.
The wheel studs broke going down the Interstate causing the wheels to come off into oncoming traffic. This caused damage to the wheel studs, lug nuts, brake calipers,brakes, rotors, rims and tires.
Safety Rating for the 2021 RAM 5500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 RAM 5500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 RAM 5500
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 RAM 5500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
03-001-25 REV. B — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
"Clicking Noise While In 4WD Customers may experience the following: ● Ratcheting, click, or clicking noise in 4WD while turning. This bulletin involves replacing the front driveshaft."
103289 — LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
CAMERA - REAR VIEW
9003980 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SWITCH Headlamp Before replacing the Headlamp Switch for faulty dimmer operation. Please follow the next steps to corroborate if the Headlamp Switch is malfunctioning: 1.- Please disconnect and reconnect the headlamp Switch. And verify if the issue is corrected. 2.- Review the internal resistance of the switch: a.- For the...
90A Combo Rev1 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Customer Satisfaction Notification 90A Diesel Exhaust Fluid
93341 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-22 - (X97) Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Select 2021 - 2022 Ram 2500 Pickup (DJ), 2021 - 2022 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis (DD), 2021 - 2022 Ram 3500 Pickup (D2) and 2021 - 2022 Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis (DP) (Rev. A)
S238A000034 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS:ACCESORY POWER OUTLET/JACK/PORT/USB/SAE/CIGARETTE LIGHTER
USB Hub In-Operable
1807823 — POWER TRAIN
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation, a technician may find one or more of the following DTCs have been set: ? U0418-00 - Implausible Data Received From Brake System Control Module 1. ? P061A - Level 2 Torque...
1807823 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation, a technician may find one or more of the following DTCs have been set: ? U0418-00 - Implausible Data Received From Brake System Control Module 1. ? P061A - Level 2 Torque...
ReferenceZD7 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Customer Satisfaction Notification ZD7 - Radio Software Update
0812923 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Radio Over The Air Updating from PR39.92 to PR40.12 Software Version ? Radio Wi-Fi Hotspot connection not working. This bulletin provides information regarding the latest Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) update and provides the service technician an overview of the steps a customer will need to take to complete the...
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 RAM 5500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the RAM 5500
- 2016 RAM 5500 — 23 complaints
- 2017 RAM 5500 — 24 complaints
- 2018 RAM 5500 — 41 complaints
- 2019 RAM 5500 — 11 complaints
- 2020 RAM 5500 — 11 complaints
- 2021 RAM 5500 (current)
- 2022 RAM 5500 — 32 complaints
- 2023 RAM 5500 — 0 complaints
- 2024 RAM 5500 — 0 complaints
- 2025 RAM 5500 — 0 complaints
- 2026 RAM 5500 — 0 complaints
Other RAM Models
- RAM 1500 — 15,786 total complaints
- RAM 2500 — 7,223 total complaints
- RAM 3500 — 3,311 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER — 739 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER CITY — 139 total complaints
- RAM 4500 — 64 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER 2500 — 52 total complaints
- RAM PROMASTER 3500 — 30 total complaints