Ram55002020Overview/ram/5500/2020/base/

2020 Ram 5500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 5500.

The 2020 Ram 5500 is characterized by a reliability record of 10 recalls and 8 total owner complaints, with the primary area of concern centering on the hydraulic service brakes. Across a model history spanning 2008 to 2026, this year reflects a significant reduction in owner complaints compared to the 2018 peak of 35. While this indicates a trend of improved stability, the 2020 model remains above the historical low of 2 complaints recorded for 2025.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 05083285AA
Engine air filter53034051AB
Fuel filter68157291AA alt 68436631AA
Spark plugSP138239AC
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AC
Serpentine belt04593852AB alt 05281817AA
Thermostat68534176AA alt 05086740AA
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Service quick specs

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°30 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 12,500 mi; coolant every 12,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 12,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 8,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 12,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 20,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 30,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Ram 5500 sits in a transitional period within this generation's reliability arc. Complaints had dropped significantly from a peak of 35 in 2018 to just 8 in 2020, suggesting improving owner satisfaction, yet recall activity remained elevated at 10 (matching 2019 and tied for the highest in the dataset). This indicates that while fewer owners were filing complaints, the manufacturer was still addressing a substantial number of safety issues through recalls. The 2021 data then shows a sharp decline in both complaints (3) and recalls (5), followed by a concerning 2022 rebound to 26 complaints—suggesting some issues may have been temporarily masked rather than permanently resolved. The 2020 model's complaint areas include service brakes and seat belts, with one crash-related complaint and one fire complaint noted. Given the elevated recall count in 2020 and the pattern of recurring complaint spikes in subsequent years, buyers should verify that all applicable recalls have been completed before purchase—this is not a model year with exceptional reliability assurance, though it does represent a relative improvement over the 2018 peak.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
386
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Seat Belts2
Air Bags,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Tires,Wheels1
Power Train1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V439000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/LubricationReported 10/06/2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume. Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at…

22V035000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:LinkagesReported 27/01/2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than… Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 386 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1130702026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
1130692026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
1130652026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER
1130662026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 5500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 5500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.