Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle had a sudden acceleration problem and the driver ended up in a big crash. The driver is in the hospital with many injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer before, at the beginning of March, because the check engine light was on and the throttle control light on and the truck didn't shift properly and dealer said that he doesn't have a transmission mechanic for about a month. They worked on the recalls and the oil and fuel filters change. Afterwards I took the truck to another shop. They changed the oil at the transmission, but the truck showed the same messages on the cluster almost immediately. I took the truck to another mechanic and they changed the solenoids in the transmission, but in a short time the same messages (Check engine light and throttle control light) came on the cluster. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control and unknown sensors were inoperable. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
While driving on interstate 20 and then on I65 my cruise control dropped off causing the vehicle to sudden decrease in speed. Rear end collision narrow avoided due to commercial vehicles, following, quick action saved a disaster. This loss of cruise control, is/was caused by the warning of recall C4B/NHTSA 24V-896. We are now experiencing a total loss of safety (service electronic brake system, service abs system, loss of traction control, {loss of cruise control}). These safety functions are now making this, one ton, dually, a death trap, mental health problem (I have PTSD, depression, anger management, anxiety problems) . My wife is afraid of this vehicle, WILL NOT let me pull our 42 foot, 15,000 pound, Redwood 38GK 5th wheel RV. Should your investigation be done, this is the 3rd recall/repair on this system. …
ABS light came on at 13,000 miles and was repaired under warranty. At 27,000 miles (2.5 years later), ABS has failed again, code C-020, but vehicle is out of warranty. Contacted FCA and was told "sorry, its out of warranty, pay for it yourself and keep your receipts, just in case it goes to recall". This is a know safety issue as cruise control and traction control are also tied to the ABS. Driver distraction should also be mentioned due to the entirely random but frequent chimes going off due to ABS failure. When the truck was "repaired" the first time, the bad parts were replaced with identical parts, i.e. not a redesigned, more dependable part, but the same poor design as stock.
On 32600miles abs and traction control start glitching. Happened to me on the highway pulling a rv and using cruise control, all of the sudden I lost cruise control on 70 mph and ABS with traction lights came on and off several times and end up go away, I stopped in the safe area and check all related parts on the vehicle that related brakes and abs, fluid was up to level all parts, brakes, wiring was good where I was able to see. After I continued to drive, abs did same thing several times, end up abs and traction lights came on and stayed for a while and all of the sudden for no reason came off for several miles. Sims like bad connection or abs module failure.
Everytime the truck is driven I hear an audible chime multiple times over the trip with corresponding ABS and Traction control lights that say the systems aren't functioning. Multiple times I have experienced full lock up of all wheels while on snowy or wet roads. The chimes and flashing lights always come and go while rarely staying illuminated for more than 5 minutes, however at times will flash upwards of 15 times in a minute. Cruise control is non operational while the lights are on. This problem has been occurring for several years and best I can recall started shortly after 20 thousand miles.
Abs and traction control lights come on, simultaneously canceling cruise control. Vehicle speed immediately slows, and traffic behind me catches up quickly as it takes a few seconds to react and get the vehicle back up to speed. Also, no abs in wet condition, etc. Bumps in the road cause the system to go out and come back on. It's become such a problem that I've had to pull the fuse for abs, which means no more cruise control. But also activates the red brake warning light. So if another problem comes up, I won't know as the brake light is already on.
ABS System, Traction Control and Cruise Control. Issues with ABS system taking out the cruise control and cause vehicle speed to decrease with out control increasing risk of a rear end collision. The manufacturer is very aware of the problem and the control unit is on back order for about 9 months. This is an intermittent problem that some times does not occur during the course of a day and sometimes it will flash 100 times a day.
Break controller/traction control/cruise control all are not working an being a RV owner WE tow a 2014 Redwood 42 foot 5th wheel, 16000 max weight (our scaled is 14640 pounds). We do not feel that it is safe to tow our RV with the recall that affects towing. This is the 3rd recall/repair on this truck. Please advise us on the towing recommendation/safety on using our truck to tow our RV.
This vehicle has problems with the ABS Module, they have been replaced 3 times, and now the exact same thing is happening again, it is pulling same code from times before C0020-01 ABS Pump Motor Control General Electrical Failure [brake module] will attach work orders first one 10/11/2018 where module was replaced twice and again on 06/17/20
Acceleration complaints in other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2017 Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2017 Ram 3500, 9% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ram 3500 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2017 Ram 3500, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Ram 3500 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.