Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 contact owned a 2017 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that an employee parked the vehicle in front of an apartment complex, went inside the building to finish working; when the employee returned outside the building, the vehicle was on fire. No warning lights illuminated prior to the fire. The employee saw smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department was contacted, arrived on scene, and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The low coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact unlatched the hood and noticed fluids spraying and that the fan belt had detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fan clutch failure. The contact was informed that the fan clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer a second time and was diagnosed with fan clutch failure. The contact was informed that the fan clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle had undergone the regeneration process. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was performing the DPF regeneration cycle constantly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the SCR catalytic converter was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 272,000.
Recently I was informed about a possible engine failure involving a "Grid Heater Bolt". Upon my query, I learned the following: The RAM grid heater bolt failure can lead to serious engine damage. Here are some key points: 1. The grid heater nut can melt and fall off inside the intake plenum, often due to the grid heater relay sticking "on". Or fall off due to vibration. 2. A bolt in the 2007-2023 RAM 6.7L intake air heater can cause severe engine damage, and a warning code (P2609) may indicate this issue. 3. The grid heater bolt/nut can wear from heat or vibration, potentially dropping into the cylinder and destroying the engine. The risk related to this can be minor to catastrophic. Any potential engine failure during operation could cause damage, fire, injury or death. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving uphill and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it diagnosed that the emission control system had failed. The mechanic replaced the EGR cooler, the EGR valve and the temperature sensor. Additionally, the mechanic performed other unknow repairs. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that she had received an unknown recall notification related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement; however, the reimbursement claim was denied. …
Truck broke engine while driving in downtown Atlanta, GA towing a trailer. After having a certified diesel mechanic diagnose the problem, it was discovered that the grid heater has malfunctioned causing it to melt a bolt and break off into the engine thus causing a total engine loss. After researching online and speaking with the mechanic, this is apparently a common problem that we were unaware of. Had we been informed, we could have been proactive in preserving the engine. What could have been a pretty cheap fix has turned into a $15-$20k dollar repair job and could've ended with us in a wreck had we not been able to exit the road in time. I'm aware that there are no current recalls on this particular VIN. However, I would like for you to investigate the problem further because it could save consumers a lot of money and possibly their life.
on Cummins Diesel Engine installed on this vehicle, On the Intake Air Heater assembly, there is a nut/bolt that has voltage applied to it to heat incoming air, this bolt/nut can melt and then eventually drop into #6 cylinder which will damage engine and possibly freeze/stop engine while driving thereby creates a safety hazard while driving. In my case engine warning light came on before the bolt dropped into cylinder and was repaired before damage occurred. Also see the following Utube link for video on issue. [redacted] Dodge Ram needs to recall these vehicles to check and repair this, also to redesign it so that it can't happen
The grid heater in my engine overheated causing a bolt to lose integrity and snap off being sucked into the # 6 cylinder causing catastrophic damage to the motor while I was towing a trailer up hill. Losing all power on a hill with a trailer seems like a pretty dangerous situation to me. It's a known issue dating back too 2014 and still hasn't been fixed my 2017 suffered from the issue and now I'm 2021-2023 models there catching fire and being recalled but my 2017 is not. There's only 48,000 miles on my truck it's not old at all and should be in the same recall as the newer models.
P2609 check engine code for a component in the diesel fuel intake chamber. The relay failed, melted a bolt and attached nut that fell into the intake manifold. The part then traveled into piston cylinder destroying the valves and the engine. The truck then is powerless on the roadway. This is a known issue for all Ram diesel's manufactured 2007-2024. This should be a major recall and Ram has done nothing for vehicles out of warranty. Please help.
Grid heater bolt failure. Vehicle is currently located at the dealership and the is labeled "Do not start". Part of the grid heater bolt can fall into vehicle intake and cause catastrophic engine failure. Check engine light came on after bolt failure. This has been a known issue but nothing has been done to resolve it.
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 Ram 3500, 10% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › gas recirculation valve (egr valve) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ram 3500 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-562 (diesel, Sep 12, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Ram 3500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.