Head-to-head reliability
RAM 5500 vs FORD F 150
How the RAM 5500 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
RAM 5500 vs FORD F 150: The RAM 5500 has 108 complaints and 57 recalls over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls. The F-150's higher volume means more reported issues, but the RAM's complaints often involve severe failures like wheel detachment. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM 5500 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM 5500
The RAM 5500 is a heavy-duty commercial truck, often used for towing and hauling, with 108 complaints over 10 years (about 11 per year) and 57 recalls. Owners report serious issues like ABS warnings that disable 4WD, transmission snap ring failures causing loss of gears, and wheels detaching. These problems can leave you stranded or create safety risks, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular light-duty pickup with 11,311 complaints over 10 years (over 1,100 per year) and 145 recalls. Common owner reports include harsh transmission shifts, sudden power loss, and electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. The high complaint volume means many owners experience problems, but the F-150 remains a widely used truck with readily available parts and service.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 5500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 108 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 57 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 10.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
RAM 5500
- 01SERVICE BRAKES35
- 02POWER TRAIN35
- 03HYDRAULIC17
- 04WHEELS9
- 05STEERING7
Owners report ABS warning lights that disable 4WD, and some received recalls for hydraulic brake issues. This can affect stopping ability, especially when towing, so check for warning lights and recall completion.
Complaints include transmission snap ring failures causing loss of forward gears, often at low mileage. This can leave you unable to drive, so ask about transmission service history and listen for shifting problems.
Hydraulic brake problems are linked to ABS warnings and a recall for brake fluid leaks. These issues can reduce braking performance, so verify that recall 22V759000 was performed.
Reports of dual wheel tires detaching while driving, sometimes striking other vehicles. This is a severe safety risk, so inspect wheel studs and lug nuts for wear or damage.
“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…”
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners describe hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and sudden loss of power, often with the 10R80 transmission. These problems can happen while driving, so test drive at various speeds and check for transmission software updates.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as electrical glitches. These can distract or disable safety features, so check all electronics during a test drive.
Many complaints fall into this vague category, often describing noises, vibrations, or intermittent issues. These can be hard to diagnose, so a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is wise.
Recalls and complaints involve headlights and brake lights, which can affect visibility and safety. Ensure all lights work and check for open recalls.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
RAM 5500 — 57 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 2500 Pickup, 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks. A software error in the occupant restraint controller module may cause the driver's side air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner not to deploy in a crash and…
The risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, a driver's side air bag or seat belt pretensioner that does not deploy increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the occupant restraint controller module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re…
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification N…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights…
The risk: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. V…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
RAM 5500 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The RAM 5500 has far fewer complaints per year (about 11) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the RAM's issues often involve severe failures like transmission and wheel detachment. The F-150's higher volume means more owners report problems, but many are drivability annoyances rather than catastrophic. In practice, the RAM may need fewer visits but each could be more serious, while the F-150 may require more frequent attention.
Key differences
- The RAM 5500 has 108 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311, but the RAM's complaints often involve severe safety issues like wheel detachment and transmission failure.
- RAM 5500 owners report ABS warnings that disable 4WD and hydraulic brake recalls, while F-150 owners commonly report transmission jerking and electrical glitches.
- The Ford F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, compared to 5 crashes and 8 injuries for the RAM 5500, though the F-150's much higher sales volume likely contributes.
- Both have recalls, but the RAM 5500 has 57 recalls and the F-150 has 145, with the F-150's recalls covering more diverse systems like headlights and batteries.
- Check for ABS warning lights and confirm that recall 22V759000 for hydraulic brakes has been completed.
- Inspect wheel studs and lug nuts for signs of loosening or damage, and test drive at highway speeds to feel for transmission slipping or harsh shifts.
- Test drive the transmission through all gears, especially 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8, looking for jerking, clunking, or delayed engagement.
- Check for electrical warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and ensure all lights and electronics work.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, listen for unusual noises, feel for transmission jerks, and test all electronics and warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake service.
- For the RAM 5500, specifically inspect the wheels and brakes; for the F-150, pay close attention to transmission behavior and electrical features.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | RAM 5500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 2 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 26 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 8 | 33 |
| 2019 | 12 | 36 |
| 2018 | 37 | 56 |
| 2017 | 19 | 43 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific RAM 5500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 5500 vs FORD F 150
- RAM 5500 total complaints
- 108
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- RAM 5500 total recalls
- 57
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- RAM 5500 avg complaints/year
- 10.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- RAM 5500
- RAM 5500 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN