Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Ram 1500 problems
Owners filed 884 complaints about the 2017 Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Jan 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (230).
Complaints
884
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
80
Reported by owners
Fires
16
Reported by owners
Injuries
77
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering230
- Engine156
- Electrical system110
- Power train98
- Service brakes91
- Fuel/propulsion system89
- Air bags53
- Suspension50
- Vehicle speed control43
- Structure36
- Engine and engine cooling32
- Fuel system, diesel31
- Forward collision avoidance18
- Wheels13
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
34
71
94
77
59
75
118
124
123
109
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2019 | 94 |
| 2020 | 77 |
| 2021 | 59 |
| 2022 | 75 |
| 2023 | 118 |
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2025 | 123 |
| 2026 | 109 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
230 reports9 crashes
“On Approx. July 15 2026, I was driving down the highway 65 mph and my power steering locked up, I could no longer drive I finally got the truck to turn a little bit so I can get off the highway and pull over and I had to be towed the rest of the way home. . After this incident it became sporadic sometimes it would start to lock up and sometimes it wouldn't there's a loud noise when I turn the steering wheel either way.”
Engine
156 reports1 crash8 fires
“The crank tone wheel failed and created a no start scenario. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer and they are advising quoting me a repair when there is a related open recall for this exact situation.”
Electrical system
110 reports6 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“To Whom It May Concern at NHTSA, I am filing this safety complaint regarding a defective ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on my 2017 Ram 1500 TRADESMAN CREW CAB 4x4 5.7L Hemi with approximately 92,000 miles. DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The ABS HCU has failed, resulting in complete loss of anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, 4WD and cruise control. This is an identical failure mode to the defect addressed under NHTSA Recall 24V-896, which covered 2017-2018 Ram 2500-5500 trucks. My 2017 Ram 1500 uses the same or substantially similar HCU component and is experiencing the identical failure. SAFETY RISK: The loss of ABS, ESC, 4WD and traction control significantly increases the risk of a crash, particularly in adverse weather conditions. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a serious safety hazard that FCA/Stellantis has already acknowledged in heavier-duty Ram platforms. MANUFACTURER KNOWLEDGE: FCA was aware of this defect as early as 2016 based on warranty claims and customer complaints. Despite issuing Recall 24V-896 for heavier Ram trucks with the same HCU failure, FCA has failed to extend recall coverage to the 2017 Ram 1500,…”
Power train
98 reports9 crashes3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after reversing out of the driveway and shifting into drive(D, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the differential pin retaining screw had backed out, causing the rear axle failure. The mechanic determined that the rear axle assembly needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V198000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
Service brakes
91 reports7 crashes
“I am filing this safety complaint regarding a defective ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on my 2017 Ram 1500 Laramie CREW CAB 5.7L Hemi with approximately 74,000 miles. DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The ABS HCU has failed, resulting in complete loss of anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, and cruise control. This is an identical failure mode to the defect addressed under NHTSA Recall 24V-896, which covered 2017-2018 Ram 2500-5500 trucks. My 2017 Ram 1500 uses the same or substantially similar HCU component and is experiencing the identical failure. SAFETY RISK: The loss of ABS, ESC, and traction control significantly increases the risk of a crash, particularly in adverse weather conditions. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a serious safety hazard that FCA/Stellantis has already acknowledged in heavier-duty Ram platforms. MANUFACTURER KNOWLEDGE: FCA was aware of this defect as early as 2016 based on warranty claims and customer complaints. Despite issuing Recall 24V-896 for heavier Ram trucks with the same HCU failure, FCA has failed to extend recall coverage to the 2017 Ram 1500, leaving thousands of owners without remedy. FINANCIAL…”
Fuel/propulsion system
89 reports2 crashes
“FUEL TANK STRAPS AND FRAME BRAKET FOR STRAPS CORRODED AND BROKE OFF .NO INCIDENT AT THIS TIME .NOT DRIVING TRUCK UNTIL IT WILL BE REPAIRED .CALLING DEALER 0N 9/7/2026 TO SEE IF IT IS A RECALL.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.