2017 Ram 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the anti-lock brake, stability control and traction control systems: warning lights, chimes, loss of cruise control and, in some cases, reduced braking response. Many of these reports mention a related safety recall and say the repair part was not available. A smaller group of complaints covers front-end steering and suspension behavior, wheel and tire hardware, electrical issues, and engine or emissions faults.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS, ESC and traction control warnings / loss of assist

   • 178 complaints (57%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the ABS, traction control and stability control warning lights coming on, often with a chime or an on-screen service message, and cruise control dropping out while the lights are on. Several owners say braking felt weak or the pedal pulsed, shuddered or traveled further than expected. Many report a dealer diagnosis of the hydraulic control unit, ABS module or a related sensor, and some say the replacement part was on backorder or that their vehicle was outside the recall population. Reported from a few thousand miles up past 200,000, with many under 70,000; faults often appear intermittently at highway speeds or on rough pavement.

   Recall 24V8960001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 24V896000 has been completed and request the repair paperwork. During a test drive, watch for ABS or traction control lights and check that cruise control engages and holds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 50-70 MPH, the message Check Brake System was displayed and the traction control warning light illuminated, causing the cruise control mode to disengage, and the vehicle was almost rear-ended. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at 75 MPH. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11703011, filed 2025-12, 33,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights were flashing and turning on and off. The contact was unable to haul a trailer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11576055, filed 2024-03, 29,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Front-end shake ('death wobble') and steering wear

   • 33 complaints (10%)
   • median 18,312 mi at 2.5 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe a violent shake or wobble through the front end after hitting a bump or pothole at highway speed, sometimes severe enough to require slowing to a stop; one report links it to damage at the track bar mount. Others describe pulling to one side, rapid front tire wear, a cracked steering wheel hub area, or a front end that cannot be aligned after the drag link recall work. Dealers in several complaints could not reproduce the shake or declined further repair. Typically reported between about 14,000 and 60,000 miles, though some appear at higher mileage; several involve trucks used with trailers or on rough roads.

   Recall 19V021000

   What to check: Have a front-end shop inspect the drag link, track bar and its mount, tie rods and ball joints before buying, and confirm whether the drag link recall remedy was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ram has a recall for the drag link, my dealership has preformed the recall repair which is to weld solid the drag link this is not a proper repair. I would say this is what a backyard mechanic might do to enter a demo derby not a repair on a new truck under warranty. This item came on the truck as an adjustable part of the steering system and rams fix is to weld this part making it no longer adjustable and the steering can no longer be aligned. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11349713, filed 2020-08, 46,362 miles

   “The adjuster on my draglink was loose and the nuts were welded to the adjuster and I was told this was a tempoary repair. Today I contacted Ram about a permanent repair for my truck and was informed that weding was a permanent fix. How can you allow this. My front end is no longer adjustable and now I am forced to go to dealer for front end work independent shops do not want the libialty. Welding nuts and cutting them loose weakens the metal are you requiring welding certification for repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11388871, filed 2021-01, 14,000 miles
3. 3
   Wheels

   Wheel stud, hub or wheel detachment and tire failures

   • 58 complaints (18%)
   • median 17,099 mi at 2.5 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe a wheel or tire coming off while driving, with owners reporting replacement of hubs, studs, rotors and brake hardware afterward. Others report factory tires with belt separation, bulging tread or blowouts at low mileage, replaced at a tire shop. One owner notes the lug nut recall work was done but says a failure still occurred. Mostly reported between about 14,000 and 85,000 miles, including low-mileage trucks with factory tires; several occurred at highway speed.

   Recall 21V398000

   What to check: Check lug nut torque to the corrected specification, look for cracked or stretched studs, and inspect tires for uneven wear, cupping or sidewall bulges; ask whether the lug nut recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2017 Ram 3500 6.7l dually with only 18,312 miles on it had a tread separation on a factory nexen roadian rear tire. Had another one previously late last year on a factory front tire at 14,412 miles. Luckily I discovered both with cupping of the tier and road vibration before catastrophic failure. The factory nexen roadian 10 ply tires on the Ram trucks are crap and dangerous and I've read many other complaints about these same factory tires, some with catastrophic results. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11416035, filed 2021-05, 18,312 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a Construction Zone, the front passenger’s side tire independently detached. No warning light was illuminated. On another occasion, while the contact’s husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's husband noticed that the gear shifter was loose, and the vehicle was stuck in park. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels); however, it failed to prevent a failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11694809, filed 2025-10, 170,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine faults: cooling fan, coolant loss and emissions

   • 20 complaints (6%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report a loud noise with coolant spraying and the belt coming off, traced by the dealer to the fan clutch, plus cylinder head faults found after a check engine light. Diesel owners describe frequent regeneration cycles and an SCR converter on backorder, and one reports a fuel filter housing leak in the engine bay. A separate report describes an engine compartment fire on a van-chassis model of the same year. Spread widely by mileage, from roughly 89,000 up to several hundred thousand; several reports involve diesel trucks used for towing or heavy service.

   Recall 17V5620004 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a diesel, ask for regeneration and emissions-related service history and check for coolant residue or a fuel smell in the engine bay; on any truck, listen for fan or belt noise at start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fuel leak in engine compartment. Fuel filter housing was replaced due to leakage around fuel heater elements in housing. This is exactly the same problem and same fuel filter housing that brought about Ram recall p65. I have contacted Ram and filed a report as well as retained the failed part.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365778, filed 2020-10, 50,120 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11692495, filed 2025-10, 322,542 miles

Buying note. The brake and stability control reports are the most frequent theme for this model year, so confirm recall 24V896000 was completed and that the ABS and cruise control work normally on a test drive. A front-end and tire inspection is also worthwhile given the reports of steering shake and wheel or tire failures.

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.