2017 RAM 3500 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 RAM 3500.

20162018
Complaints
417
Crashes
11
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
12

Worst 2017 RAM 3500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1137 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:21,810 mi
Crash-related:4
#234 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:80,020 mi
#330 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:25,125 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 RAM 3500.

Brakes
137
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
21,810
Hydraulic Brakes
34
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
80,020
Electrical Faults
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
25,125
Unintended Acceleration
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
56,880
Engine Problems
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,348
Transmission / Drivetrain
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,503
Wheel Issues
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,094
Steering Defects
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
37,402
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,856
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,600
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
24,152
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
10,500
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Backup Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 RAM 3500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2017 RAM 3500

12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~10,806,115 vehicles.

25V010000Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
~6,066 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

24V896000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~317,630 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.

21V398000Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
~447,985 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

19V347000Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
~1,103,209 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

19V021000Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection
~795,575 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.

18V486000Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch · Structure:body:tailgate
~1,149,223 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

18V332000Electrical System:software · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · Electrical System:wiring
~4,815,661 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

18V100000Automatic Transmission
~180,462 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

17V824000Other Equipment
~61,791 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

17V821000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
~1,482,874 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

+ 2 more recalls

Other RAM 3500 Years

2017 RAM 3500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2017 RAM 3500 reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2017 RAM 3500 has 417 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 137 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2017 RAM 3500?
Top reported problems: Brakes (137 complaints, avg 21,810 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (34 complaints, avg 80,020 mi); Electrical Faults (30 complaints, avg 25,125 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 RAM 3500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 33,963 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2017 RAM 3500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 RAM 3500 include 11 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2017 RAM 3500 have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 10,806,115 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2017 RAM 3500?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (brakes) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full RAM 3500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2017 RAM 3500

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