2017 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#3 most-complained of 13 3500 years
The 2017 Ram 3500 has 310 NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls, with a complaint index of 83, ranking 3rd worst out of 13 model years. Brakes account for 61% of complaints, making this year a relative Avoid within the model lineup.
- Complaints
- 310
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2017 Ram 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes190 (61%)
- Engine61 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires39 (13%)
- Electrical System33 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain27 (9%)
- Other21 (7%)
- Steering18 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (5%)
- Fuel System9 (3%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
What owners report
- Brake pedal reportedly goes to the floor with a popping sound, resulting in total loss of stopping power.
- Vehicle allegedly fails to decelerate when the brake pedal is pressed, sometimes forcing the driver off the road.
- Owners describe the truck jumping out of park into gear unexpectedly while stationary and running.
- Some report sudden acceleration or a check engine and throttle control light coming on with abnormal shifting.
- One owner described a roughly 2-second delay in throttle response after releasing and reapplying the accelerator.
- A fire was reported starting in the engine compartment with no prior warning lights.
2017 Ram 3500 recalls
12 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 21V398000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires447,985 vehicles
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
2017 compared with other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ram 3500 a good year?
- NHTSA data shows the 2017 Ram 3500 ranks 3rd worst out of 13 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 310 complaints, so it is rated Avoid relative to other 3500 model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Ram 3500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 61% of complaints (190 of 310), with a median failure mileage of 54,000 and 4 reported crashes.
- Does the 2017 Ram 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2017 Ram 3500, covering airbags, brakes, suspension lug nuts, steering linkage, tailgate latches, electrical software, and transmission-related brake shift interlock issues.
- How does the 2017 Ram 3500 compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 83 is higher than 2013 (17), 2015 (25), 2016 (42), and 2021 (8), but lower than 2018, which has the highest complaint index of 100.