Is the 2017 Ram 3500 reliable?

The 2017 Ram 3500 has 421 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Ram 3500?

Top problems: BRAKES (183 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (33 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (33 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Ram 3500?

Yes, there are 13 recall(s): STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION, STEERING:LINKAGES, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT, WHEELS, EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR. Contact any Ram dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Ram 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Ram 3500 is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Ram 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2017 Ram 3500 has 421 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 182. The most common issue is brakes problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: i have a ram 3500 single rear wheel truck with integrated brake controller. it was hooked up to my 10,000# gvw 5th wheel trailer this past weekend and no matter how i set the controller, for either braking strength or trailer selection type, it provides imperceptible braking to the trailer. it nea. There are 13 recalls issued for this model year.

10 crash reports

421

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

183 complaints

43%

• I HAVE A RAM 3500 SINGLE REAR WHEEL TRUCK WITH INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER. IT WAS HOOKED UP TO MY 10,000# GVW 5TH WHEEL TRAILER THIS PAST WEEKEND AND NO MATTER HOW I SET THE CONTROLLER, FOR EITHER BRAKING STRENGTH OR TRAILER SELECTION TYPE, IT PROVIDES IMPERCEPTIBLE BRAKING TO THE TRAILER. IT NEA
• THE INTERGRATED TOWING BREAK CONTROLLER IS FAULTY AND WILL NOT STOP MY CAMPER IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION..
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING WITH A TRAILER CONNECTED, THE "TRAILER BRAKE NOT CONNECTED" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINE BELT CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1400 OCEAN AVE, ROUTE-88, LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REP

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“I HAVE A RAM 3500 SINGLE REAR WHEEL TRUCK WITH INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER. IT WAS HOOKED UP TO MY 10,000# GVW 5TH WHEEL TRAILER THIS PAST WEEKEND AND NO MATTER HOW I SET THE CONTROLLER, FOR EITHER BRAKING STRENGTH OR TRAILER SELECTION TYPE, IT PROVIDES IMPERCEPTIBLE BRAKING TO THE TRAILER. IT NEA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Ram 3500

Based on 136 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 28K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 38 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION25/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.

Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Ram 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2017 3500, 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 421 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: I HAVE A RAM 3500 SINGLE REAR WHEEL TRUCK WITH INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER. IT WAS HOOKED UP TO MY 10,000# GVW 5TH WHEEL TRAILER THIS PAST WEEKEND AND NO MATTER HOW I SET THE CONTROLLER, FOR EITHER BRAKING STRENGTH OR TRAILER SELECTION TYPE, IT PROVIDES IMPERCEPTIBLE BRAKING TO THE TRAILER. IT NEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: FROM A DEAD STOP OR TRYING TO MERGE IN TRAFFIC WHEN HITTING THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A 2 TO 3 SECOND HESITATION NO POWER AT ALL, THEN TAKES OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE WEB TALKING ABOUT IT, THEY ARE CALLING IT A DEAD PE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BLUE BONNET CHRYSLER DODGE, 547 S SEGUIN AVE, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78130) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LEE'S SU
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)