2021 Ram 5500 Safety Report

The 2021 RAM 5500 has a limited safety data set from NHTSA, with only 3 total complaints, 1 reported crash, and 1 reported fire, and no reported injuries or deaths. This low complaint volume makes it challenging to identify widespread issues solely from complaint data. However, the vehicle has been subject to 5 recalls, which is a significant number for a relatively new model year. These recalls address critical safety concerns, including potential driver's side airbag non-deployment, multiple electrical system shorts that could lead to engine compartment fires, and incorrect information in manuals that could lead to wheel separation. The most prominent safety concerns for the 2021 RAM 5500 stem from its recall history rather than its low complaint count. Three of the five recalls are related to the electrical system, specifically concerning potential shorts in relays for vehicles equipped with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine, which could result in engine compartment fires. One complaint directly references white/gray smoke emitting from under the hood, which aligns with the fire-related recall concerns. Another recall addresses a critical issue where incorrect manual information could lead to wheel separation, a severe hazard as evidenced by a complaint describing wheel studs breaking and wheels detaching into oncoming traffic. NHTSA has not provided overall crash test ratings for the 2021 RAM 5500, including frontal, side, and rollover assessments, which is common for heavy-duty commercial vehicles of this class. Therefore, its crashworthiness performance is not publicly rated. The airbag recall, however, highlights a potential vulnerability in crash protection, as a non-deploying driver's side airbag significantly increases the risk of injury in a collision. Given the recalls addressing fire risk, wheel separation, and airbag deployment, potential buyers should ensure all recall remedies have been performed.

Our recommendation: Given the 5 critical recalls addressing fire risk, wheel separation, and airbag deployment, ensure all recall remedies have been completed by a certified dealer before purchasing a 2021 RAM 5500.