Most common 2017 Ram 2500 problems
Share of the 698 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ram 2500 complaints by model year
Best 2500 years: 2023, 2021, 2013. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 2025, 2014. Compare all years →
2017 Ram 2500 recalls (11)
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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.
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
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.
Structure › Body › Tailgate
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. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
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.
Electrical system › Software
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 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab…
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.
Show 5 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to…
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.
Equipment
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
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. These water pumps may leak coolant.
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.
Wheels
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. The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2017 Ram 2500:
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures…
Loss of Brake Performance
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on November 28, 2022, after receiving 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500-3500 pickup trucks manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The alleged failures continued to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limited detectability.
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 trucks manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA).
What 2017 Ram 2500 owners say
Brakes all 515 →
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired on two occasions under warranty and under extended warranty due to the brake failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the ABS and the traction control warning lights were illuminated, along with a dinging sound. The contact stated that the warning lights had caused the 4WD and cruise control modes to become inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while her husband was driving 65 MPH, a deer jumped in front of the vehicle. The driver depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes locked up, and the vehicle failed to stop in time and hit the deer. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. …
I'm concerned, as I expect many owners of 17-18 Ram 2500 are. Feb 23, while returning to my home, I lost control of my vehicle after breaking before entering left to right turn that I had been thru thousands of times. Less than 1 mile from my residence I applied breaks gently prior to entering turn. After applying brakes, they locked up and I was unable to control my truck. I slid sideways a few hundred feet and made contact with a utility pole. I have never felt so helpless while driving. This caused significant damage to my vehicle. Never had any ABS problems prior to this event. After vehicle was repaired (well over $20,000) I had problems with ABS - Cruise Control that repair shop could not fix. They sent to tire shop who also could not repair. Was advised to take to dealer. Vehicle was repaired with new EBS pump (which was part of current recall). …
Electrical system all 121 →
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control engaged, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to overtake another vehicle; however, after overtaking the other vehicle, the vehicle continued to accelerate independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle decelerated temporarily and continued to accelerate independently. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the check engine, traction, and ABS warning lights illuminated. Once the warning lights had appeared, the speedometer, odometer, and cruise control functions failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the transmission failed to shift out park(P). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a code reader determined that the failure was linked to the ABS control module. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
Speed control & acceleration all 72 →
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control engaged, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to overtake another vehicle; however, after overtaking the other vehicle, the vehicle continued to accelerate independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle decelerated temporarily and continued to accelerate independently. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to activate the cruise control, the system initially failed to engage. After several attempts, the contact was able to activate the cruise control; however, while attempting to deactivate cruise control, the system failed to disengage. After several attempts the cruise control disengaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Speed Control); but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Ram 2500 a good car?
Based on 698 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 2500 rates avoid: 3.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the 2500 at the same age. It is one of the 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ram 2500?
The brakes — 515 complaints, 74% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock › abs warning light. Next are the electrical system (121) and speed control & acceleration (72).
How many recalls does the 2017 Ram 2500 have?
There are 11 recalls for the 2017 Ram 2500, the most recent from January 16, 2025 (inflator). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ram 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 2025 and 2014. See the full Ram 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Ram 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 52% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.