VehicleVerdict

2022 Ram 5500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2022 Ram 5500 carries two red flags at once: 32 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 5.8× the 5500 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: 2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure). It is one of the 5500 years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 75% of all reports (24 of 32), far ahead of steering at 3.

32

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2022 compare to other 5500 years?

5500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted47 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 21 complaints2015: 20 complaints2016: 24 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 47 complaints2019: 12 complaints2020: 11 complaints2021: 5 complaints2022: 32 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 3 complaints2026: 0 complaints
5500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 5500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Ram 5500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2475%
Steering39%
Fuel System26%
Electrical System13%
Speed Control13%
Tires & Wheels13%

Does the 2022 Ram 5500 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V765000SteeringNovember 6, 2025 · 532 units

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 in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

23V060000Electrical SystemFebruary 9, 2023 · 302,067 units

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 will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798.

22V642000EngineAugust 26, 2022 · 4,907 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 2500, and 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engines. The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.

Consequence

An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z87.

21V798000Electrical SystemOctober 14, 2021 · 131,177 units

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 US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE24009

2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 82 complaints alleging loss of motive power due to an internal transmission failure of the K1 snap ring in model year 2022 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles. Of these complaints, 16 describe a complete loss of motive power at speeds greater than 25 miles per hour, without the ability for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The subject vehicles can be up-fit as an ambulance and other emergency response vehicle or may be heavily loaded when used for towing. During the failure event, the snap ring becomes dislodged and forward gears 1-4 are no longer functional, potentially leaving the vehicle disabled in or near the roadway and/or negatively affect the emergency mission. ODI contacted the manufacturer, FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America (FCA), and learned that technical service bulletin (TSB) TSB-21-002-23 is related to the alleged defect condition. Additionally, FCA has conducted dynamometer and field testing and has explained to ODI that during the event a warning message will display to the operator, and gear 5 and reverse will remain available. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the 4-WD unavailable message displayed. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 14, 2023

“Our driver told us that he lost steering. At 35 mph on a open highway (which is confirmed by our gps). He also has a clean driving record and has been driving box truck for decades with no incident. Once steering was lost the box truck to slam in into the barrier twice , than roll onto its side.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 10, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift properly into the correct gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the air…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 26, 2022

“This is a 2022 Dodge Ram 5500. The wheel studs broke off while driving on the interstate, and the dually tires came off. This is a major safety issue and the driver had a narrow escape. This same issue persisted through the 2012-2021 model years and RAM had a recall (Y26) for those years. I do not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 29, 2024

“Received notice 8 months ago that the electrical relay that is used for grid heater when starting the vehicle may catch fire causing the entire vehicle to burn to the ground. I contacted RAM immediately and they stated there is no fix available. 8 months later I contacted RAM again and they stated…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 22, 2023

2022 Ram 5500 — common questions

Is the 2022 Ram 5500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 32 complaints put the 2022 model at #2 of 18 5500 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the 5500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2022 5500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (24 complaints), steering (3 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 2022 Ram 5500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Ram 5500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2022 Ram 5500 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ram 5500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 5500 years to avoid are 2018, 2022, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2013, 2009. The cleanest record among 5500 years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.