2017 Ram 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
869 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
37,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 359 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 218 of 869 complaints (25.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 219 | 25.2% |
| Braking behavior | 129 | 14.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 55 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 45 | 5.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 42 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 42 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 218 |
| Engine | 156 |
| Electrical System | 103 |
| Power Train | 93 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 89 |
| Service Brakes | 88 |
| Unknown Or Other | 67 |
| Air Bags | 53 |
Steering: 218; Engine: 156; Electrical System: 103; Power Train: 93; Fuel/Propulsion System: 89; Service Brakes: 88; Unknown Or Other: 67; Air Bags: 53
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 134 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 88 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 55 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 34 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 134; 25,000 to 49,999: 88; 50,000 to 74,999: 55; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 34; 150,000 and above: 23
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (134). 510 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2019 | 94 |
| 2020 | 77 |
| 2021 | 59 |
| 2022 | 75 |
| 2023 | 118 |
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2025 | 123 |
| 2026 | 94 |
2017: 34; 2018: 71; 2019: 94; 2020: 77; 2021: 59; 2022: 75; 2023: 118; 2024: 124; 2025: 123; 2026: 94
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 219 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 129 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 55 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11022614 · 2017-09-11 (September 11, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND REMAINED LIT. THE STEERING WHEEL RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRUNSWICK AUTO MART (3031 CENTER ROAD BRUNSWICK, OHIO 44212 PHONE [phone removed]), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 7,071 miles reported. Look up ODI 11022614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043613 · 2017-11-06 (November 6, 2017)
HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS BUT ENGINE DIDN'T PRODUCE ANY CODES.I TOOK TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY SAID NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT SENSOR PROBLEMS UNTIL CODE APPEARS. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM HOME MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN. MY ENGINE TURNED OFF AND LOST MY STEERING,LIGHTS,AND DASH LIGHTS. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINED ON WAS THE FULLY ILLUMINATED 8' RADIO COMMAND CENTER AND GEAR SELECT KNOB.THE SATELLITE RADIO REMAINED PLAYING BUT COULDN'T ADJUST VOLUME. I LUCKILY PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. I COULDN'T RES…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980939 · 2017-04-26 (April 26, 2017)
DISSAPOINTED WITH THE PURCHASE OF 17 RAM 1500, TRUCK LOOKS GOOD AND HAS GREAT LOOKS . IT HAS A TAPPING/TICKING NOISE WHEN ITS AT IDLE AT A STANDSTILL, ITS CALLED THE DREADED HEMI TICK, I HAVE A 5.7 MOTOR WITH MDS, THERE IS MANY THREADS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 500 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY KIND OF TAPPING/TICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE, MOSTLY NOTICED FROM DRIVERS SIDE FROM THE WHEEL WELL . THE DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL AND THAT THEY CANT HEAR IT WHEN I BRING IT IN, I SHOULD DRIVE AND WAIT FOR FIRST S…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005355 · 2017-07-14 (July 14, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A LAKE. AS A RESULT, ONE OF THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER'S INJURED HER BACK AND THE OTHER DAUGHTER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER HIP AND KNEES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150096 · 2018-11-08 (November 8, 2018)
FUEL PUMP GETTING STUCK AT GAS STATIONS. YESTERDAY IT TOOK AN EMBARRASSING 20 MINUTES, BROKEN FUEL HOUSING AND SMASHED FINGER TO PULL THE PUMP OUT. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE 6 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11195212 · 2019-04-22 (April 22, 2019)
2017 RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNTING BRACKET SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER DISAPPROVED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BEING THE SOLUTION TO THE FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNTING BRACKET FAILURE.*JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11195212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154792 · 2018-11-29 (November 29, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ELMWOOD CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 625 TAUNTON AVE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS OF THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE SAME DEALER. IN ADDIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10947499 · 2017-01-25 (January 25, 2017)
ON OCTOBER OF 2016 I PURCHASED A 2016 RAM 1500 AND A MONTH LATER MY TRUCK WAS REPURCHASED BACK BY CHRYSLER BECAUSE OF SEVERAL PAINT DAMAGED INCLUDING RUST .ON DECEMBER OF 2016 I TOOKED POSSESSION OF MY REPLACEMENT VECHILE . AS SOON AS I GOT HOME WITH MY TRUCK I HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT . THE DRIVING LIGHTS WERE FOGGED UP PRETTY BAD WITH A LOT OF CONDENSATION IN IT . I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY IMMEDIATELY ORDERED THE LIGHTS AND IAM WAITING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE NEW LIGHTS PUT ON THE TRUCK . FURTHERMORE , I ALSO CALLED RAM CUSTOMER …
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10979158 · 2017-04-18 (April 18, 2017)
TRUCK WAS LEFT IN PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY...THE NEXT DAY IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREETWISE GOT INTO THE TRUCK AND VERIFIED THE SHIFTER WAS INDEED IN THE PARK POSITION 2017 RAM 1500 WITH THE 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND ROTARY SHIFTER
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11055273 · 2017-12-18 (December 18, 2017)
POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK WHILE TURNING AND IN MOTION AT CITY SPEEDS - LESS THAN 45MPH. HIGHWAY SPEEDS ~70 MPH. TOTAL INTERMITTENT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION. ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY, LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055273 at NHTSA ↗