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.
Ram 5500 abs comes on
30 of the 158 owner complaints about the Ram 5500 describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 30
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical mileage
- 80,000
By model year
Often reported together
Adaptive cruise 8Check engine light 2Transmission failure 1Won't shift 1Hesitation 1
What owners say
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The braking system was not operating normally. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
My vehicle does not currently show an open recall in the federal safety agency VIN lookup, but the vehicle has experienced repeated and potentially catastrophic wheel and brake-related failures. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review these incidents for a possible safety defect and determine whether an investigation or safety action is warranted. I checked the federal safety agency VIN recall database on XXX, and my vehicle, VIN [XXX], currently shows 0 unrepaired recalls. However, this same vehicle has experienced two serious and potentially catastrophic wheel/brake-related failures. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate these incidents and determine whether they may represent a safety defect or a defect pattern affecting this vehicle or similarly equipped RAM 5500 vehicles." "Please provide the complete manufacturer/dealer service and campaign history associated with VIN [XXX], including all open and closed recalls, campaigns, Customer Satisfaction Notices, warranty claims, dealer repair orders, recall completion dates, mileage at completion, dealership identification, parts replaced, and any wheel, wheel-stud, hub, rotor, brake, ABS, ESC or related repairs. Mopar says its VIN recall system is used to determine current recall status, but your current the federal safety agency result of 0 unrepaired recalls does not tell us whether a recall was previously completed I HAVE PLENTY OF PICTURES AND BULLETINS RECALL INFORMATION WILL UPDATE OR UPLOAD LATER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel which stated that the ABS function was not available and that the 4WD was disabled. The vehicle was taken a dealer where they kept the vehicle for over a week where they eventually replaced the brake hydraulic control unit ("HCU"). The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Two local dealers were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. Additionally, the contact was informed that the part that was used to repair the vehicle was a defective part and that it would need to be replaced once parts were 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 failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
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 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.
Related recalls
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.
Recall number 25V530000 · Recall details
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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 22V759000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V023000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V016000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V008000 · 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
Questions about the Ram 5500 abs
Why does the abs come on in the Ram 5500?
Owners who report it most often also describe adaptive cruise control problems, check engine light and complete transmission failure.
Which Ram 5500 years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (24 complaints), 2017 (5 complaints) and 2022 (1 complaints).
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