AI Damage2017 RAM 1500: common problems
Owners of the 2017 RAM 1500 filed 884 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and engine. The maker issued 253 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 884
- involving a crash
- 80
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 253
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 26% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 230 complaints (26% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 156 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Electrical system: 110 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 64.
- Service brakes: 100 complaints (11% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 98 complaints (11% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 9 complaints
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 62 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 884 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 230 | 9 | 1 |
| Engine | 156 | 1 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 110 | 6 | 64 |
| Service brakes | 100 | 7 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 98 | 9 | 23 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 89 | 2 | 2 |
| Air bags | 53 | 43 | 2 |
| Suspension | 50 | 1 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 43 | 6 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 40 | 0 | 34 |
| Structure | 36 | 6 | 23 |
| Engine and cooling | 32 | 0 | 43 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 13 | 2 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I saw this town to my left when I remarked about the town to my wife, we were going the speed limit of 70 mph about 2PM in the afternoon than all of a sudden steering went erratic, twisting and turning us all over the highway to strong for me to hold with no warning lights, Genie yelled out what is going on, I slammed…
We were involved in an accident and the air bags did not deploy. We were turning left and another vehicle went through a red light and hit my 2017 Dodge RAM 1500. The other vehicle was traveling at a high rate and and collided with the front of our truck. I'm very shocked that the airbags did not deploy.
Driving on highway power steering suddenly stopped could not turn around curve. Loss control ran another oncoming car off road. Stopped vehicle on side of ditch. Steering wheel would not turn easily. Shut truck off. Restarted and steering wheel resumed normal operation.
Turning the trick off and back on no warning lights. After sitting for 2 hrs I turned the truck on a red light started flashing. Service power steering . I just bought the truck so I took it back to the dealership big Joe's auto. My dad attempted to drive it and put it in the ditch because he could not steering.
My airbags did not deploy during this impact. I have never had an issue with the air bag system on this vehicle, but believe the dealership had performed a recall or flashed some software within the last 3 years pertaining to the airbag.
No message lights of any kind were on the dash prior to this accident and my front airbags did not deploy. I would like to know how that's possible with hitting a firm object at 25 mph to 28 mph.
Brake failure has almost caused wreck 5 or 6 times. I did have accident in June. I don't drive it anymore have a 38,000 vehicle we cant drive because brakes fail. Two different occasions the wheel on drivers side has broke lugs and wheel came off once and second time I heard noise and parked it.
While parking my truck, it had an unintended acceleration and my foot was not on the gas peddle. I was going about 1-2mph and the truck picked up speed unexpectedly and collided with my garage wall. I am unsure what component malfunctioned and it has not yet been inspected.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 44 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 2% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 1500 has 494 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 884, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot
Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
- Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More
The Noise Can Be Present In Either The Upper Or The Lower Hinge.
- The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following…
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may…
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- Water Pump & Chain Case Cover
- If Safety Recall Z46 has not been completed, order 68235275AB
- If Safety Recall Z46 has been completed, order 68632011AA
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates
- Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders
Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units only.
- LAMP - DOME
- CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00…
NHTSA lists 253 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 RAM 1500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 884. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (22%), steering or power steering problems (20%), loss of power / limp mode (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 RAM 1500?
NHTSA lists 253 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 RAM 1500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.