Is the 2017 Ram 3500 a bad year?
317 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 3500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Ram 3500 are in line with other 3500 years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 3500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 196 (62%) | 24k–106k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 33 (10%) | 6k–80k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 31 (10%) | 12k–87k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 18 (6%) | 14k–65k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 27 (9%) | 1k–34k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 21 (7%) | 8k–23k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 15 (5%) | 5k–53k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 30 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 317 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 1 reports an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
41 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2017 Ram 3500: 13
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail. A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation. Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle. The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
These water pumps may leak coolant. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss. If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 286
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Ram 3500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P21C4 - (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) Reductant Line Heater Control Circuit High…
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Loss of Brake Performance
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Neighbouring years
2016 3500: 134 complaints, keep it · 2018 3500: 808 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 3500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 3500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 1500 · Ram 2500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Ram 3500 a bad year?
317 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 3500 years. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ram 3500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (196), electrical system (33), engine (31), steering (18), transmission and drivetrain (27).
How many recalls does the 2017 Ram 3500 have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 25V-010), Brakes (NHTSA 24V-896), Wheels (NHTSA 21V-398), Latches and locks (NHTSA 19V-347) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.