2017 Ram 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Ram 2500 ranks 2nd worst of 14 model years with a complaint index of 92 and 693 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Brakes account for 74% of complaints, with 11 recall campaigns filed against this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 14 2500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 693
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2017 Ram 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes512 (74%)
- Electrical System124 (18%)
- Engine117 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras64 (9%)
- Steering49 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain42 (6%)
- Other32 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (4%)
- Structure & Body12 (2%)
- Fuel System11 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes lock up unexpectedly during turns or stops, causing loss of steering control.
- Steering linkage pops or develops slop at highway speed, making the wheel hard to turn in one direction.
- Transmission overheats and emits smoke and fire from the engine bay while driving.
- Truck jumps out of park and rolls backward unexpectedly while unattended.
- Wiring near the spare tire shorts out and ignites a fire after the vehicle has been parked for hours.
- Engine bay smokes and fills the cabin with smoke after a remote start, following prior dealer maintenance.
2017 Ram 2500 recalls
11 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 24V896000Nov 27, 2024Brakes317,630 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
- NHTSA 19V347000May 9, 2019Structure & Body1,103,209 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
2017 compared with other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ram 2500 reliable?
- Compared with other Ram 2500 model years, 2017 ranks 2nd worst out of 14 years tracked, with a complaint index of 92 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Ram 2500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 74% of the 693 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles for that system.
- Does the 2017 Ram 2500 have brake recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA recall 24V896000 covers a hydraulic control unit that can fail and disable the anti-lock brake function on 2017-2018 Ram 2500 and related trucks.
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ram 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2017 Ram 2500, covering airbags, brakes, structure, steering, electrical, transmission, and other components.
- Which Ram 2500 years are worse than 2017?
- Only the 2018 Ram 2500 ranks worse, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 complaints, also rated Avoid.