
2017 Ram 1500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Ram 1500 has 1164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 1093. The most common issue is steering problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: 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 brunswic. There are 13 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 16 fire reports filed.
1164
Total Complaints
13
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
STEERING
222 complaints- • 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 BRUNSWIC
- • 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 BRUNSWIC
- • 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 S
“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 BRUNSWIC”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2017 Ram 1500
Based on 486 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
STEERING
TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL
AIR BAGS
OTHER
BODY/STRUCTURE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (13)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Above-average theft risk
The Ram 1500 was the #15 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 6,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Full-size truck; catalytic converters
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2017 Ram 1500
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Ram 1500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ram 1500 Service Intervals
5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2017 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2017 Ram 1500
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 1164 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: 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 BRUNSWIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL GUAGE AND THE FUEL SYSTEM LIGHTS ON THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY ARE SAYING THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. THE FUEL GUAGE IS SHOWING NO FUEL IN THE CAR AND I AM CONCERNED THE CAR COULD CUT OFF AND I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF IT. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: BUMPER PARKING DISTANCE SENSORS READ FALSE DISTANCE ISSUES WHEN WET, SHUTTING SYSTEM OFF AUTOMATICALLY, GIVING DRIVER FALSE SENSE OF SAFE DISTANCE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 13 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ram 1500 — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 1164
- Recalls
- 13
- Fire reports
- 16
- Crash reports
- 82
- Injury reports
- 74
- Segment avg
- 1093
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Ram 1500