Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2020 Ram 5500 — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Ram 5500 year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
Risk: Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
Campaign 21V439000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.
Campaign 22V035000
Issue: Excellance, Inc (Excellance) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Excellance-modified RAM 4500/5500 vehicles to be equipped with CLASS Suspension Systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.
Risk: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Excellance will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit to remedy any damage and to prevent any future damage, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Excellance customer service at 1-800-882-9799.
Campaign 21V023000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 2, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y78.
Campaign 21V880000
Issue: 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.
Risk: 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 Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Campaign 21V398000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
Risk: A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.
Campaign 20V511000
Issue: Custom Truck And Body Works is recalling certain 2020 Dodge 4500 and 5500 vehicles. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.
Risk: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage, which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Custom Truck And Body Works will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected suspension systems, and rear brake caliper flexible line, free of charge. Owners may contact Custom Truck And Body Works customer service at 1-706-553-9178. Custom Truck And Body Works number for this recall is 20E-031.
Campaign 21V016000
Issue: LiquidSpring LLC (LiquidSpring) is recalling certain Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension Systems (C.L.A.S.S.), part numbers DS135RS3A, DS135RS3AF, DS135RS3-DM, sold for use with 2019-2020 RAM 4500 and 5500 vehicles. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes. As such, these parts fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
Risk: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: LiquidSpring has notified the purchasers, and the affected vehicle manufacturers will file recalls to have their dealers inspect the rear brake caliper flexible lines for wear and install a kit to modify the rear brake caliper flexible line mounting, and if necessary, a kit to replace worn brake lines, free of charge. The recall May 13, 2020. Owners may contact LiquidSpring customer service at 1-765-474-7816, extension 1.
Campaign 20E031000
Issue: Braun Northwest (Braun Northwest) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAM 4500/5500 vehicles equipped with Liquid Spring rear suspension systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.
Risk: A worn rear brake line may leak fluid, resulting in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Braun Northwest will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit to each rear caliper and modify the rear brake caliper flexible line mounting. Any worn rear brake caliper flexible lines will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began June 8, 2020. Owners may contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195.
Campaign 21V008000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The rear brake hose inside diameter may be too small, which could cause the hose to rupture. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 106, "Brake Hoses."
Risk: A brake hose rupture can cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZA5.
Campaign 22V759000
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model/year (common for older, low-volume, or heavy-duty vehicles).
The parts named most often across 8 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 crash · 4 injured
1 fire
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
I was traveling down the hwy and and car went thru the stop sign. I could not stop in time and I t boned it. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during a heavy crosswind, the electronic stabilization system warning light illuminated, indicating that the system had deactivated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 1,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH, the dual wheel tires detached from the vehicle and struck another vehicle. On another occasion while driving 60 MPH, the tires detached. There was no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wheel studs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 223,926.
While driving on the freeway at 75 mph transfer case went into neutral. No power to wheels. I managed to coast off the freeway and then towed to dealership. Dodge 5500 trucks are used for heavy hauling such as fire trucks, ambulances and in the west ranchers. If a rancher is going down a steep grade with a heavy load (cattle/horses) they would not be able to STOP due to weight. Transfer case has defective parts internally. Dealer said that there is a defect in the transfer cases and is common on Dodge Ram 4500/5500.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and slamming on the brakes, the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the seat belt was inspected, and the contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired free of charge because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the same assessment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving and slamming on the brakes, the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the seat belt was inspected, and the contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired free of charge because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the same assessment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V759000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a trailer, while attempting to stop the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle failed to stop within a reasonable amount of time. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost proper braking functionality. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 150,000.
2020 DODGE RAM 5500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO Y26 STUDS SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THIS RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXHAUST FIRE. THE VEHICLE SMOKED FOR 20 MINUTES. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS