Is the 2017 Ram 3500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Ram 3500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ram 3500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2017 Ram 3500 have?

13 recalls on file for this model year.

2017 Ram 3500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2017 Ram 3500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 308
Recalls: 13
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Service brakes

Complaints per year

2017: 308 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2007	6
2008	4
2009	3
2010	0
2011	0
2012	0
2013	114
2014	202
2015	137
2016	134
2017	308
2018	795
2019	137
2020	115
2021	62
2022	189
2023	17
2024	45
2025	41
2026	26

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

61% · 189 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2017 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes activated, and the vehicle slid and crashed into a deer. The contact stated that the deer appeared instantly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-12-11

Needed to use brakes but unexpectedly the pedal did not work or stop the vehicle. Had to swerve into a ditch to avoid a collision with another vehicle. Abs, traction lights then activated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-06

HCU failure, ABS failure, stability control affected

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-25

Electrical system

11% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing software and speedometer/odometer.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

2017 Lexus es 350. Consumer writes in regards to flaw in the software which resulted in an accident. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle crashed into the garage and was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-03

Vehicle speed control

9% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I was hauling a 15,000 lb fifth wheel with the cruise control set at about 45MPH coming up to the light on hwy. 35 and hwy. 20 intersection northbound in Indiana.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-26

Engine

9% · 28 reports

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2017 Ram Promaster 3500.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Power train

9% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing gear position indication (prndl).

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

Truck in park, stationary but running, jumped out of gear due to faulty shifter and rolled down an embankment. Extensive damage to truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-30

Vehicle is equipped with a G56 mercedes 6 speed manual transmission. When in 5TH gear there is a chatter originating from the transmission amplified by the shift lever.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-03-09

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

▮
2017Complaint volume 308 complaints filed for this model year.
R

2017-08-30Wheels17V499000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-14Equipment17V824000 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-26Engine and engine cooling17V562000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-26Power train17V821000 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...

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-26Power train18V100000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-06-04Electrical system, vehicle speed control18V332000 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...

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-09-17Latches/locks/linkages, structure18V486000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-12-03Steering18E096000 Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks.

Remedy: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2018-12-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-12-12 Steering loss due to linkage separation
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2019-03-22Steering19V021000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-05-23Latches/locks/linkages19V347000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2019-12-01Engineering analysisClosed 2025-11-20 Steering loss due to linkage separation
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2021-08-26Wheels21V398000 Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2022-11-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-03-03 Loss of Brake Performance
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2025-01-09Service brakes, hydraulic24V896000 Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2025-02-13Air bags25V010000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2025-07-03Recall queryOpen Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure

Buy-smart checklist

2017 Ram 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Service brakes: 189 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 33 reports on file for this year.
Vehicle speed control: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 17V499000 · Wheels
Recall 17V824000 · Equipment
Recall 17V562000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 17V821000 · Power train
Recall 18V100000 · Power train
Recall 18V332000 · Electrical system, vehicle speed control
Recall 18V486000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
Recall 18E096000 · Steering
Recall 19V021000 · Steering
Recall 19V347000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Recall 21V398000 · Wheels
Recall 24V896000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 25V010000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2017 Ram 3500 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Ram 3500 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ram 3500?: The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ram 3500 have?: 13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2017 Ram 3500

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Service brakes

Electrical system

Vehicle speed control

Engine

Power train

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years