Stellantis (FCA) has a recall for exactly this problem, Ram recall C4B, the federal safety agency campaign 24V‑896. It covers certain 2017–2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, 3500 cab chassis, and 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. It addresses failures in the hydraulic control unit (HCU) that affect ABS, electronic stability control and traction control. Parts shortages are widespread. Many 2017 owners have reported to the federal safety agency that they got the recall notice but the repair part wasn’t available yet, and the manufacturer confirmed it was backordered. the truck cant be used due to the speedometer not working and the trailer breaks not working. the dealer confirmed that the abs module has failed and i cant use my truck and its been backordered for several years. this is completely unacceptable.
The worst 2018 Ram 5500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes27
- Acceleration5
- Wheels5
- Transmission4
- Electrical3
- Driver assistance2
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Engine1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ram 5500
Recalls 8
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
- Risk
- A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
Recall number 24V896000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V398000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling one 2018 Dodge 5500-based fire truck equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
- Risk
- If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Unruh Fire has notified the owner and will provide replacement brake lights, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1‑800‑856‑7080.
Recall number 19V359000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- Blanchat Mfg., Inc. (Blanchat) is recalling one 2018 B-27 Minuteman vehicle built on a RAM 5500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
- Risk
- If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Blanchat has notified the owner, and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 27, 2019. Owners may contact Blanchat customer service at 1‑620‑896‑7145.
Recall number 19V255000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
- Risk
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Recall number 18V332000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules, which can allow the ferrules to corrode.
- Risk
- If the ferrules corrode, the brake fluid may leak and cause a loss of braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U41.
Recall number 18V277000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.
Recall number 18V100000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit:
- Risk
- If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1‑855‑262‑3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Recall number 17V824000 · Recall details
See all 8 recalls for the 2018 Ram 5500
Defect investigations
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 cause the BTSI locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal and/or without having a key in the ignition.Shifting the transmission out of Park when not having the brake pedal depressed can result in a vehicle rollaway. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the 17V‑821 and 18V‑100 recall remedies, understand the root cause of additional vehicle rollaway incidents, and identify any other possible root cause that may affect the performance of the BTSI system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
RQ25003
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Ram 5500 308
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Air cleaner - none
- Sensor - turbocharger speed
- Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
- Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
- Bearing
- Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot
- For Dealer awareness, HD truck, eliminate 1 of 2 M8 Joints for Sidestep bracket to Body Attachment, Bolt...
- Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More
- Speaker - none
- Seatbelt Slow Retraction.
What 2018 Ram 5500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the hydraulic brake warning light, ABS warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the stopping distance increased. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall, but the failure recurred. The contact stated an alternate replacement part was used during the recall repair, causing premature failure. The dealer was notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure, and the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated with an audible alarm while driving. The failure mileage was 8,000.
Subject: Complaint Regarding Delayed Safety Recall Repair – 2018 Ram 5500 (Recall C4B / the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑896) I own a 2018 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab, VIN [XXX]. My truck is subject to Safety Recall C4B (the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑896) involving the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU). I have attempted to have this safety recall completed, but the repair has been delayed because the required replacement part has reportedly been unavailable. This is a federally mandated safety recall involving the vehicle’s braking system. I am concerned that I have been unable to obtain the required repair within a reasonable period of time. The continued delay creates uncertainty about the safe operation of my vehicle and prevents me from having the recall corrected as required. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the availability of recall parts and the length of time owners are being required to wait for completion of this safety recall. I also request that the federal safety agency review whether the manufacturer is meeting its obligations to provide a timely remedy for affected vehicles. Vehicle Information: * Year: 2018 * Make: Ram * Model: 5500 Chassis Cab * VIN: [XXX] * Recall: C4B / the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑896 Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for the recall repair was not yet available. The part was available for other year, make, and models. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
recall C4B hydraulic control unit still not addressed as of may 7 2026 recall received on
Ref the federal safety agency 24v-896, Recall C4B The problem started back in 2021 when the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Control Unit failed. It was replaces and then it failed again in Dec 2024 while on vacation. When returning home in Jan 2025, the truck was brought to the dealer for repair. It was found to have failed again and told that a repair parts were not available, nor was it known when the redesigned part would be available. Shortly after that I received a letter stating that my truck was included and confirmed to be part of this recall. I have been severely impacted (restricted use of) due to safety concerns when driving this truck. I've not been able to get any assistance from Ram dealership or Ram customer service. What can be done to resolve this issue with RAM? Thanks for you assistance! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control systems' warning lights illuminated. Due to the failure, the cruise control became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was related to the recall, and confirmed that parts were not yet available. A second dealer, S & L Motors (2298 WI-32, Pulaski, WI 54162); was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a warning chime activated continuously. The ABS and Brake warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Compare the 2018 Ram 5500
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Questions about the 2018 Ram 5500
Is the 2018 Ram 5500 reliable?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 2018 Ram 5500, 3.1 times a typical 5500 model year.
What is the 2018 Ram 5500 year score?
The 2018 Ram 5500 scores 28 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ram 5500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ram 5500?
Brakes, with 27 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is acceleration (5).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ram 5500 have?
8 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, wheels and exterior lighting.
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