2017 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2017 Ram 1500 most often write about losing power steering assist, which many describe as the wheel suddenly becoming hard to turn, and about stalling or loss of motive power that some link to the 3.0L diesel recalls. Reports also cluster around brake-system warning lights, fuel gauge and refueling problems, and engine-side symptoms such as misfires and fires. Many of the steering and brake reports arrive between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, while diesel stall and fuel-system complaints appear across a wide mileage range.

1. 1
   Steering

   Intermittent loss of power steering assist

   • 208 complaints (24%)
   • median 66,500 mi at 6.2 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,850 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn, sometimes with a service power steering message or a steering warning symbol, and several say turning the vehicle off and restarting restores assist temporarily before it recurs. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing a failed rack and pinion or steering gear assembly and recommending replacement. Some owners mention a grinding noise, and one reports the wheel failing to return to center after a turn. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 100,000 miles, though a few appear as early as 14,000 and others past 150,000.

   What to check: During a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and watch for a power steering warning message. Ask whether the steering rack or gear has ever been replaced and whether any power steering warnings were stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system threw a code for a short circuit and the EPS system failed. I lost my power steering while on the road and was unable to safely operate my RAM. The power steering light indicator was on. This problem was serviced at Apple Chrysler Dodge in Hanover PA on July 21 2021, invoice attached, costing me $2653.43. This is the SAME ISSUE that was addressed for both the 2015 and 2016 RAM 1500s in a recall for “loss of power steering assist”, issued March 23, 2016 (NHTSA No 16V167000).”

   NHTSA complaint #11430626, filed 2021-08, 31,298 miles

   “Intermittent loss of power steering. Two ocurrances 3 months apart. Low speed right turn at 20mph, dash error light (loss of comm with power steerring) and no power steering. Stop, shut engine down and restart restores power steering. Second occurance (14 aug 2020), same error while performing left turn at about 25 MPH. Shut engine, and restart restores power steering. In both instances, manual non assisted steering still functional. All driving while in city, starting from intersection.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350240, filed 2020-08, 14,100 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stall or loss of motive power

   • 77 complaints (9%)
   • median 81,500 mi at 5.6 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the truck losing power or stalling while driving, sometimes with the check engine light on, and in some cases the vehicle would not restart. Several owners link this to the diesel recalls concerning the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel, and some say dealers diagnosed a failed tone wheel and crankshaft position sensor. Others report rough idling that led a dealer to recommend engine replacement. Reported from about 35,000 to 160,000 miles, with many appearing above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 23V411000Recall 20V475000Recall 22V406000Recall 19V7570001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 23V411000 or 20V475000 was completed, and have a scan run for stored codes before buying, especially on the 3.0L diesel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving down highway, check engine light and electronic throttle control service light displayed. Exited highway, drove 1-2 miles more and engine was smoking with smoke entering the cabin. Exited the truck at a safe location. Used hood release in cabin but did not open hood because I saw flames through grille. Used fire extinguisher but it just slowed the fire did not put it out. Fire consumed the engine and hood. The fire department came and put out fire. * (recall related incident) ts”

   NHTSA complaint #11300719, filed 2020-01, 44,022 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tone wheel and the crankshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11611251, filed 2024-08, 142,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or refueling shuts off early

   • 120 complaints (14%)
   • median 52,500 mi at 4.3 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,262 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the fuel gauge showing empty with a full tank, or the fuel nozzle repeatedly clicking off during refueling, sometimes with the check engine light on. Owners say dealers and mechanics diagnosed a faulty fuel level sensor or fuel pump check valve and recommended replacing the fuel pump or module. Some reports mention rough running or hesitation on the diesel. Reported from very low mileage up to around 55,000 miles in the sample.

   Recall 22V406000Recall 17V4340002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Fill the tank and compare the gauge reading with actual fuel added; have the fuel system scanned for codes, and ask whether diesel recall 22V406000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My trucks fuel gauge sensor is reading empty even though I have a full tank. Code p0463 . It is from a faulty part/ float on the fuel pump. This is a huge problem in many Ram 1500 models and needs to be recalled. Truck stalled and thankfully restarted. I was backing out of a parking spot when this occurred. The dealership knows the issues in the rams but wants me to pay for this safety issue. Have others reported this issue?”

   NHTSA complaint #11390751, filed 2021-01, 53,200 miles

   “Fuel pump module assembly failure. Has been failing over past 3 months, now totally off. Unable to know amount of fuel in tank. Have been told by the dealer it is a common problem with this truck and a safety concern. Vehicle has less than 36,000 miles on it. Ram should issue recall as potential for stranded vehicle is great.”

   NHTSA complaint #11398666, filed 2021-03, 32,500 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   ABS, traction control and brake warning lights

   • 77 complaints (9%)
   • median 54,035 mi at 6.3 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,600 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report the ABS, traction control, brake, and sometimes trailer brake warning lights coming on, occasionally along with cruise control becoming inoperable. Complaints describe dealers and independent shops diagnosing an internal ABS or brake module failure and recommending replacement. Some owners say the lights returned after the module repair or after adding brake fluid. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 120,000 miles.

   Recall 18V3320001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Start the truck and confirm all warning lamps go out after the bulb check; ask whether the ABS module has been replaced or scanned for stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several undisclosed messages were displayed, and the ABS module malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning light remained illuminated, and the cruise control became inoperable due to the failure. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11746153, filed 2026-06, 120,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service Trailer System Brakes and 4WD Disabled messages were displayed. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front hub sensor, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who determined that the ABS control module needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11634789, filed 2025-01, 180,000 miles

Buying note. Ask for proof that the diesel and tailgate recalls were completed, and test the steering and count warning lamps on a cold start. The most common owner complaints here involve steering assist and stalling, so a pre-purchase scan and a careful test drive are worth the time.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.