Head-to-head reliability
RAM 5500 vs Honda Accord
How the RAM 5500 and Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord: The RAM 5500 has 108 complaints and 57 recalls over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls. The Accord averages about 444 complaints per year versus 11 for the RAM, but the RAM's issues often involve brakes and drivetrain. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM 5500 or Honda Accord 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 frequently report brake and hydraulic issues, including ABS warnings and reduced braking, as well as power train failures like snap ring breakage that can cause loss of forward gears. Wheel detachment is also reported, sometimes striking other vehicles. These patterns suggest that living with a RAM 5500 may require vigilance and prompt attention to warning lights and recalls.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize family sedan with 4,438 complaints over 10 years (about 444 per year) and 38 recalls. Common owner-reported problems include engine noises and loss of power, electrical glitches such as TPMS warnings and rodent damage to wiring, and forward collision avoidance system errors that can disable adaptive cruise control and lane keeping. These issues, along with reports of sunroof glass shattering, indicate that even a mainstream sedan can have recurring electronic and mechanical faults.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 5500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 108 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 57 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 10.8 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 indicating the system is unavailable, sometimes accompanied by 4WD disablement. In some cases, braking while towing a trailer is affected, which is critical for a truck used for heavy loads.
Complaints include K1 and K2 snap ring failures causing loss of all forward gears, often at low mileage. Another owner reported losing forward momentum at 40 MPH with the check engine light on, indicating potential transmission or engine issues.
Hydraulic problems often overlap with brake issues, such as ABS warnings and 4WD disablement. A recall (22V759000) addresses service brakes and hydraulics, but owners still report stopping difficulties while towing.
There are reports of dual wheel tires detaching while driving at 20-60 MPH, striking other vehicles. A recall (21V398000) addresses wheels, but parts may be unavailable, leaving owners waiting for repairs.
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises and loss of power, with one complaint describing alarms and speed loss at highway speeds. These issues can leave drivers stranded and may require costly repairs.
Complaints include TPMS warnings leading to tire failure shortly after service, and rodent damage to camshaft position wiring harnesses even on new vehicles. Such problems can cause unexpected breakdowns and safety hazards.
Owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, sometimes with no obstructions. These glitches can disable safety features, reducing driver assistance when needed.
This category includes reports of sunroof glass exploding and tire failures after TPMS service. These incidents, though less frequent, pose serious safety risks and are hard to predict.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
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…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
RAM 5500 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The RAM 5500 has far fewer complaints per year (about 11) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), but the RAM's issues often involve critical systems like brakes and drivetrain that can lead to loss of control or propulsion. The Accord's higher complaint volume reflects its larger sales base and includes many electronic annoyances, but also some serious engine and electrical failures. In practice, the RAM may require fewer visits but each could be more severe, while the Accord may have more frequent but sometimes less critical problems.
Key differences
- The RAM 5500 has 57 recalls and 108 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 38 recalls but 4,438 complaints, indicating the Accord has far more owner-reported issues per year.
- RAM 5500 complaints often involve brakes, hydraulics, and wheels, with reports of wheel detachment and loss of braking, whereas Accord complaints frequently involve engine noises, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance errors.
- The RAM 5500 has 5 crash-related complaints and 8 injuries, while the Honda Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 144 injuries, though these numbers must be considered in context of sales volume.
- Both vehicles have recalls for fuel pumps and brakes, but the RAM's recalls include instrument cluster and air bag modules, while the Accord's include hybrid software and spare tire issues.
- Check for any ABS or 4WD warning lights and have the brake and hydraulic systems inspected, as owners report these warnings and reduced braking ability.
- Inspect the transmission for signs of snap ring failure or loss of gears, especially on 2022 models, and verify that all wheel-related recalls have been performed.
- Listen for engine noises and check for any loss of power or check engine lights, as owners report these issues even on low-mileage vehicles.
- Test all electrical systems, including TPMS, forward collision avoidance, and sunroof, and look for signs of rodent damage to wiring harnesses.
Before you buy
- Verify that all open recalls for the specific vehicle have been completed, using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the systems mentioned in complaints.
- For the RAM 5500, test the brakes and transmission under load, and check for wheel security.
- For the Honda Accord, test all electronic safety features and listen for unusual engine noises during a test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the vehicle has been used for towing or heavy loads, which can affect wear.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 | 101 |
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 0 | 224 |
| 2022 | 26 | 238 |
| 2021 | 4 | 226 |
| 2020 | 8 | 355 |
| 2019 | 12 | 677 |
| 2018 | 37 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 19 | 534 |
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 Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 5500 vs Honda Accord
- RAM 5500 total complaints
- 108
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- RAM 5500 total recalls
- 57
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- RAM 5500 avg complaints/year
- 10.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- RAM 5500
- RAM 5500 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE