KnownCarProblems2017 Ram 2500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 698 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 2500, most often about the brakes (74% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 2500 model year since 2000 and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2017 Ram 2500 problems
Brakes
515 complaints · 74%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the massage "service ABS system" was displayed and an audible alarm was activated. Additionally, during the failure the cruise control feature had deactivated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS and hydraulic control unit modules needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired…
Electrical
121 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, integrated trailer brake control.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the service electronic braking system warning message had appeared on the instrument panel. As a result, both the remote electrical start and the cruise control features failed to operate as needed. The dealer acknowledged the failure but informed the contact…
For the past month, I have had intermittent displays of "service electronic braking system" and "service antilock brake system". When this occurs, the cruise control becomes nonoperational. A check of the internet shows that these problems are widely experienced by dodge Ram owners. The display comes on whether…
Speed control
72 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles.
On at 3 separate occasions, I have had the accelerator get stuck on what I believe is full throttle. Initially I thought it might be my floor mat, however it happened yesterday in a parking lot. So there was no reason for the peddle to get involved with the floor mat. I was accelerating, but obviously not to full…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at about 75 MPH, on cruise control and accelerated to overtake another vehicle, the throttle stuck without warning. He managed to pull the vehicle to the side and putting it in neutral, and was able to stop the vehicle. The contact…
Driver assistance
63 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the ABS, traction control, TPMS, and forward collision avoidance warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the cruise control mode became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the…
Steering
49 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Front track bar bushings are wore out after less than 45000 miles. The front end makes a noise and shakes when you turn the wheel. This happens both stopped and at any speed.
The recall on the drag link by welding the nuts on the adjustment bar is poor repair procedure. Can't find an alignment shop to undo the welds and center steering wheel. Told they won't accept the liability
Engine
47 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
The throttle is not responding. It is accelerating on its own. During regular driving the vehicle accelerates on its own. This happens at all speeds. And continued to accelerate during braking. In addition there are 2 potentially life threatening recalls on this vehicle that have no remedies.
The truck was in the driveway. The engine started to misfire. Shut off and it would not start back up. Check engine light was flashing. Had to have it towed to a repair shop.
Transmission
42 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. After the vehicle was shifted into four wheel drive, there was an abnormal whining and grinding sound coming from the front differential. The vehicle was taken to lithia chrysler jeep dodge of billings (2229 king ave w, billings, mt 59102, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that there…
I have had a check engine light with code p0868 for low transmission fluid pressure 3 times while pulling a travel trailer and once just driving without pulling anything in the last 3 months. Dealer has told me they dont know why the light keeps going off.
Other or unspecified
30 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.
A loud noise from under and right side of the vehicle is generated when shifting from low to high gear. When in high traffic, turning right and left, and hauling mode. The noise generated sound coming from the transmission or within the underside as the vehicle shifts. Have made visual inspection with no evidence of…
Rear rail gate opens while vehicle is in motion. 3rd time I have had truck into dealer for this. They tell me there is a recall for this and no parts are available so they can't fix it.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Ram 2500 recalls
Air bags: inflator
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 13, 2025. Owners may contact fca customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca's numbers for this recall are 05c, 09c, and 10c.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake hcu, or replace the hcu motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning january 9, 2025. Owners may contact fca customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca's number for this recall is c4b.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began may 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on october 18, 2019. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US's number for this recall is v44. Note: 2015-2017 my ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18v-486 for this issue.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: connection
Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began march 22, 2019. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v06.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began september 17, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u74.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began june 4, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the body control module software. Dealers will also test the btsi operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u11.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began february 14, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "product safety recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is t82.
Full defect summary
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
Transmission: column shift
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the btsi, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t79.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: diesel
Risk: The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t51.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2013-2017 ram 2500, 3500, 3500 cab chassis, 4500 cab chassis, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles, equipped with cummins 6.7l turbo diesel engines that have concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Aev will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2017. Owners may contact aev customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
Full defect summary
Streetcar orv llc, dba american expedition vehicles (aev) is recalling certain 2013-2017 ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks, modified by aev to be equipped with cast aluminum katla 8.5" road wheels. The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Post recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 14 vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports and 6 ewr death & injury (d&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) system in certain model year (my) 2013-2018 ram pickup trucks.the subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.the failures of the btsi described in the voqs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17v-821 or 18v-100.both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the btsi locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of park without
Loss of brake performance
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on november 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by fiat chrysler automobiles (fca). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limited detectability.â consumers complained that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light illuminated on their vehicles.â the ABS module works in conjunction with the hydraulic control unit (hcu), an electromechanical device that controls hydraulic pressure to the individual wheel brake assemblie
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Summary
On december 17, 2018, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (my) 2015 and 2016 ram 2500 trucks manufactured by fca US, llc (fca). â the drag link failures were found to be due to a safety defect with the steering linkage where the drag link adjustable connector (used to adjust the steering system), held in position by two opposing jam nuts, can loosen.â â the loosening of this part can lead to wear and deterioration of the threads and eventual separation of the drag link, causing loss of steering.â during the course of pe18016, it was found that two styles of drag link
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Summary
On december 17, 2018, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation (pe) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (my) 2015 and 2016 ram 2500 manufactured by fca US, llc (fca). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft. The failures were found to be at a threaded coupler within the drag link used for adjusting the length of the linkage during routine maintenance (alignment) of the steering system.once separation occurs, turning the steering wheel has no effect, and there is no way for the driver to
Questions about the 2017 Ram 2500
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ram 2500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (515 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles); electrical (121 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); speed control (72 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ram 2500 have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 16, 2025 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Ram 2500?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 2500 model year since 2000, with 698 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.