2017 Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Ram 1500 has 878 NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls, giving it a complaint index of 62 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst of 14 model years. Engine and steering issues each account for 26% of complaints, with engine failures reported near a median of 39,700 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 62/100
- #6 of 14 1500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 878
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 80
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 16
- Injuries
- 77
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 77 / 1
Top 2017 Ram 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine226 (26%)
- Steering226 (26%)
- Fuel System129 (15%)
- Electrical System116 (13%)
- Brakes100 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain98 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires70 (8%)
- Other69 (8%)
- Airbags53 (6%)
- Structure & Body46 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly deployed without warning during normal driving, causing loss of control.
- Some owners report airbags failing to deploy at all during a rear-end collision.
- Multiple owners describe the electronic rotary shifter failing to hold park, causing the truck to roll away unattended and strike objects or vehicles.
- One owner reported the parking brake failing to hold on an incline, letting the truck roll into a tree.
- A driver reported a tire blowout on both driver's side tires at 35 mph, leading to a loss of control and crash.
2017 Ram 1500 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V010000Jan 16, 2025Airbags6,066 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 23V411000Jun 8, 2023Engine80,629 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
- NHTSA 22V406000Jun 9, 2022Fuel System138,645 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
2017 Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ram 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 878 complaints and 13 recalls for the 2017 Ram 1500, producing a complaint index of 62 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 6th worst among the 14 model years with data.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2017 Ram 1500?
- Engine and Steering each make up 26% of complaints (226 each), followed by Fuel System at 15% and Electrical System at 13%. The engine problems show a median failure mileage of 39,700 miles.
- Does the 2017 Ram 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns tied to the 2017 Ram 1500, covering airbags, the 3.0L diesel engine, fuel system components, and tailgate latches. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 Ram 1500 compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 62 is worse than 2018 (23), 2020 (31), and 2024 (8), but better than 2014 (92), 2016 (85), and 2019 (100), all of which are rated Avoid.
- Did the 2017 Ram 1500 have shifter problems?
- Yes. NHTSA sample complaints describe the electronic rotary gear shifter failing to hold park, with the truck rolling backward and striking objects at low mileage.