2017 Ram 1500 Engine Problems
Engine complaints account for 226 of 878 total complaints (26%) filed against the 2017 Ram 1500. Owners report sudden power loss, engine fires, and cruise control malfunctions, with a median failure mileage of 39,700 miles. Three related recalls cover the 3.0L diesel engine.
- Engine complaints
- 226
- 26% of 878
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 10
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 39,700 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Sudden loss of engine power at highway speed, often while cruise control is engaged, sometimes accompanied by abnormal revving or misfiring sounds.
- Engine compartment fires reported after check engine and electronic throttle control warnings appear, with some owners noticing smoke entering the cabin.
- Uncontrollable cruise control that will not disengage, forcing drivers to shift into neutral or turn off the vehicle to slow down.
- Ecodiesel-equipped trucks losing power on the highway accompanied by white or heavy smoke from the engine bay or exhaust area.
- Warning messages such as 'Service DEF System - See Dealer' appearing alongside engine misfires and power loss.
- Delayed recall repairs reported by owners after being notified about the EGR cooler recall but told parts were unavailable.
When 2017 Ram 1500 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 26, 2017, latest Sep 17, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2017 Ram 1500
- 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 20V475000Aug 13, 2020Engine58,016 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 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: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
- NHTSA 19V757000Oct 24, 2019Engine107,980 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
Engine complaints by 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems in the 2017 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA lists 226 engine complaints out of 878 total complaints for the 2017 Ram 1500, making up 26% of all complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2017 Ram 1500 engine?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three engine-related recalls covering 2017 Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0L diesel engines, addressing crankshaft position sensor tone wheel delamination and EGR cooler cracking.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2017 Ram 1500 is 39,700 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Do engine problems on the 2017 Ram 1500 lead to fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 10 fires and 7 crashes associated with engine complaints on the 2017 Ram 1500, along with 6 injuries.
- What symptoms do owners report before an engine failure?
- Owners report sudden power loss, abnormal engine noises, smoke from the engine bay, and warning messages like check engine or DEF system alerts before failures occur.