UAS and UCS Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software level to 39.6 Customers may experience one or more of the following: Intermittent, black radio display screen. Intermittent, radio freezes. Bluetooth® pairing and/or connection issues. Lost radio presets. Radio channels change by itself. SXM icon inoperative. USB hub inoperable. Heated steering wheel inoperable. SXM favorite song not displaying/playing. High pitch chime noise. Contact list not loading. Device not supported message. Remote app inoperable. Travel-link fuel price incorrect. Navigation displays incorrect location. Backup camera grid lines missing. Unable to adjust volume
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 RAM 5500 wheels problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
When does it fail?
Of the 4 wheels complaints filed for the 2018 RAM 5500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NUT, Wheel Flange Wheel Nut Service Torque should be 175 N-M.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NUT, Wheel Flange Wheel Nut Service Torque should be 175 N-M.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NUT, Wheel Flange Wheel Nut Service Torque should be 190 N-M.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NUT, Wheel Flange Wheel Nut Service Torque should be 190 N-M.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the rear wheel studs fractured. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer which diagnosed failure with the wheel studs. The wheel studs were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA…
Had wheels trouble with your 2018 RAM 5500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the wheels problem on the 2018 RAM 5500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 59,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/RAM/5500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.