NHTSA Recalls

2018 Ram 5500

2 open or recent recalls

2 open recalls

Open recalls

Units affected

Trucks in our DB

Carriers in DB

What this means

2 open or recent NHTSA recalls affect the 2018 Ram 5500. Recall repairs are free at OEM dealers — but only if you take the truck in. If you operate this model, verify recall service status by submitting the VIN at the OEM dealer or via NHTSA.gov. Insurance underwriters and freight brokers increasingly ask carriers to confirm recall service is current before contract loads.

All 2 recalls for this vehicle

NHTSA Campaign

19V359000

0 affected

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA Campaign

19V255000

0 affected

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an open recall fail a DOT inspection on a 2018 Ram 5500?

An open recall does NOT automatically fail a Level 1, 2, or 3 DOT roadside inspection — those focus on brake, tire, light, HOS, and driver-fitness items. However, if the recall affects a safety-critical component that is showing visible defect (cracked brake line, leaking fuel line, etc.) and the inspector identifies the defect itself, it can result in an out-of-service violation. Best practice: complete recall service promptly to avoid the question entirely. Recall completion is free at the dealer.

How do I check if my specific VIN has open recalls?

Three ways: (1) Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls — free, instant. (2) Call any Ram dealer and provide your VIN — they'll look up open campaigns. (3) Use our VIN decoder tool at /vin/ which cross-references against our recall database. The fastest is the NHTSA site; the most useful for fleet operators is the dealer call (they can also schedule the repair on the spot).

Who pays for recall repairs?

The manufacturer pays. Recall service is free at any authorized OEM dealer regardless of the truck's age, mileage, or who owns it now. The exception: if recall service is more than 10 years old, some manufacturers can decline (rare on commercial trucks). Ram/5500 recall service typically takes 1–4 hours of dealer shop time depending on the campaign — usually no charge for parts or labor.

What's the difference between a recall and a TSB on a Ram?

A recall (NHTSA campaign) is a manufacturer-mandated safety repair — free and required. A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) is the manufacturer telling dealers about a known issue and the recommended fix, but TSB repairs are typically NOT free — owners pay parts and labor. Recalls fix safety risks; TSBs fix quality/reliability issues that aren't safety-related. If you're seeing a problem that ISN'T on the recall list, search TSBs for Ram 5500 2018 — there may be a documented fix.

Can I keep operating a 2018 Ram 5500 with an open recall?

Legally yes (no federal law prohibits operating a vehicle with open recalls on a commercial truck — only some passenger-vehicle resale rules apply). Practically: depends on the specific recall. Safety-critical recalls (brakes, steering, fuel system) should be addressed immediately — both for safety and because insurance carriers and shippers increasingly track this. Less-critical recalls (lighting, infotainment) can wait until your next dealer visit. Always review the specific recall summary to understand severity.

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2018 Ram 5500

What this means

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Frequently Asked Questions

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