98 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 1500 cite power train, 11% of all 884 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Sep 22, 2026·Power trainODI 11766061
“The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Electronic Stability Control" was displayed. While investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken back to the residence, and the contact used an OBD reader to diagnose the vehicle. The contact determined that the tone wheel had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was confirmed that the tone wheel and the front passenger’s side axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,520.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Apr 29, 2026·Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11734668
“Vehicle is having the same issues it had before with soot and sludge build up in the engine that caused the EGR to fail and melt into the engine... I have all the parts that were replaced from the 1st time this happened and was not repaired properly and is now causing a catastrophic failure....”
“Timeline of issues: 04/11/2026 – Vehicle purchased 04/16/2026 – Brakes began grinding 04/18/2026 – Vehicle developed starting issues 04/19/2026 – Brake system parts (pads, rotors, calipers) ordered due to failure 04/23/2026 – Parts received; same day 4WD was tested and confirmed not functioning properly (dashboard indicates engagement but front wheels do not engage) 04/24/2026 – Complete brake failure occurred due to caliper failure These issues occurred immediately after purchase and indicate the vehicle had significant pre-existing mechanical defects at the time of sale. The 4WD system also does not function correctly despite indicating engagement, and the braking system failed completely shortly after purchase.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Apr 25, 2026·Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11733804
“The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V198000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Apr 7, 2026·Steering, Power trainODI 11729700
“1Rear end shifted to passenger side 3 in 2. The intermittent shaft made the steering wheel over turn over half a turn. 3 manifold bolts replaced but snapped again. Fuel pump went out. Tailgate has opened multiple times. 120 k seems unfit to drive wheel studs drivers rear broke off 1 by 1 till there were 2 left”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Mar 20, 2026·Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11725740
Showing 6 of 98 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. 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. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. 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. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 1500 trucks. The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up.