2017 Ram 5500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
86,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 20 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 40.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 15.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 3; Tires: 3; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2018: 1; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 5; 2024: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 11387121 · 2021-01-08 (January 8, 2021)
VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH AND STARTED VIBRATING VIOLENTLY, A FEW SECONDS LATER THERE WAS A LOUD BANG THAT TURNED INTO MULTIPLE BANGS THAT COULD BE FELT AT THE DRIVERS FEET AND THE TRUCK STALLED. WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO OUR SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD EXPLODED CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT TO COME APART WHICH ENDED UP TEARING THROUGH THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD, DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESSES, CRACKED THE TRANSMISSION CASING, AND SEVERED THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,180 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453621 · 2022-02-23 (February 23, 2022)
ABS and traction control light comes on intermittently when driving. Cruise control does not work and chime and warning lights come on as lights come on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268481 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHFORK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM [phone removed], LOCATED AT 17725 S FREEWAY, MANVEL, TX 77578) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUSE IN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11288429 · 2019-12-11 (December 11, 2019)
ON I-40 EASTBOUND MILE MARKER 121 VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. I HEAR AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE TRUCK WHICH CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER AND HAD TO FIGHT WITH TRUCK TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD ALL WHY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED CUTTING WIRE HARNESS IN HALF AND RUPTURING THE FUEL LINE. TRUCK WAS SMOKING BAD AS OIL AND FUEL WAS LEAKING EVERYWHERE. TRUCK IS INOP AT THIS POINT. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS MATTER IN AN EFFORT TO HELP OTHERS FROM THIS EXPERIENCE. I ALMOST WRECKED TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AFTER THE TRANSF…
Owner-reported narrative. 139,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485413 · 2022-09-20 (September 20, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled to the side of the roadway and became aware that the transfer case had fractured into several pieces, and the front driveshaft had also fractured in several pieces. The contact stated that the fuel lines and the exhaust pipe were severely damaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the fuel lines, brake line, electrical wiring, transfer case, front driveshaf…
Owner-reported narrative. 310,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11485413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11331308 · 2020-06-28 (June 28, 2020)
RIGHT FRONT STEERING TIRE EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE CORD ONLY. LEFT SIDE OK. HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED BY DODGE UP TO SPEC. HAD MY MECHANIC ON A $50,000 RACK CHECK THE ALIGNMENT AT MY EXPENSE. RIGHT FRONT OK LEFT FRONT .7DEGREES OUT. ONLY ADJUSTMENT IS TO REPLACE THE NON ADJUSTABLE BALL JOINTS WITH OFFSET ADJUSTABLE BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE TIRES. FCA RESPONSE WAS YOU KNOW WE ONLY HAVE A 12000 MILE 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON THE ALIGNMENT. TRUCK IS ALMOST TWO YEARS OLD WITH 12900 MILES. FIRST THE DODGE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DO THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11331308 at NHTSA ↗