LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 RAM 1500 suspension problems
severe 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 41 suspension complaints filed for the 2017 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 41 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system. Replace only the part deemed failed by the diagnostics performed. Individual parts include: - Compressor - Valve block - Individual hoses - Temp sensor - Shield - Air line clips NOTE: in most situations when a new compressor is needed, the compressor as a separate part is the correct repair, and the assembly would not be required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Ram 1500's air suspension is the dominant failure pattern across these 41 complaints. Owners consistently report the system losing air pressure and dropping to bump stops without warning, leaving the truck riding directly on the frame. Some owners describe only one corner deflating while others stay inflated, causing the truck to tilt or lean unpredictably. The worst part: it happens both while parked and at highway speeds. Multiple owners had the air bags, compressor, and sensors replaced by dealers, only to have the exact same failures recur within weeks or months.
Cold weather is a major trigger. Below zero to 10°F, the suspension becomes inoperative until temperatures rise again—sometimes weeks of waiting. Owners report zero warning lights in many cases, making the failure dangerous and unpredictable. One owner had their truck sitting 2–3 inches off the ground with both front tires pointing inward from the weight, hitting small bumps like explosions.
Beyond the air suspension, owners report violent front-end shaking and wobble at highway speeds (called "death wobble"), track bar fractures while towing, front control arms detaching due to poor welds, and one catastrophic tire detachment at 65 mph that caused a guardrail strike. Electronic braking system warnings also appear sporadically, cutting power without notice. One owner documented four complete tire sets plus additional tires wearing out-of-round and failing to balance, despite the truck continuing to shake—a sign the suspension itself is the problem, not the tires.
No recalls address the air suspension; one owner noted Canada pursued a class action lawsuit while U.S. owners waited.
Same RAM 1500 suspension reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Air suspension system failure — loss of air pressure / system collapse
Owners report the air suspension losing pressure and dropping to bump stops without warning while parked or driving, leaving the vehicle riding on the frame. Occurs unpredictably or repeatedly over the vehicle's life. In some cases only one corner deflates while others remain inflated, causing the truck to sit lopsided.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; no specific mileage pattern. One complaint at 500 miles, others at 50k–200k+ miles. Multiple owners report recurrence after dealer replacement of air bags and compressor.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle sits very low to the ground or on bump stops; Bouncy, harsh ride over bumps; Front or rear end drops without warning while driving or parked; Truck tilts or leans to one side; No warning lights or codes generated in many cases; Service Air Suspension System warning message appears in some cases; Vehicle unsafe to steer when suspension is collapsed
Codes mentioned: Service Air Suspension System, Immediate Air Suspension Service Repair Required
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced air bags, compressor, valve block, and air suspension sensors (reported at ~$300 per sensor, plus labor). One owner spent $2,000 at dealer without resolution. Owners report parts fail again within months after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in multiple cases (e.g., case #57840183, case #57840183). No recalls issued. FCA declined to cover one defective control arm incident. Canada had a class action lawsuit against FCA for air suspension failures; U.S. class action pending per owner reports.
Air suspension failure in cold weather
Owners report the air suspension system becomes inoperative or fails to maintain pressure during winter months, particularly when temperatures drop below zero or below 10°F. System may fail to operate properly or deflate completely and not re-inflate until ambient temperature rises. This is a recurring, seasonal issue.
When: Onset during winter months and cold-weather driving. Multiple owners report initial failures in year one or later winters, with recurrence in subsequent winters. One complaint at 90k miles; another owner reports failure since purchasing the vehicle in 2017.
Symptoms owners cite: Air suspension loses pressure when temperature drops below zero to 10°F; Vehicle drops to bump stops and remains there until temperature rises above 32°F; Suspension fails to re-inflate in cold; Makes steering very difficult or impossible in one direction; Truck bounces excessively and is unsafe to drive; No error codes generated despite system failure
Codes mentioned: Service Air Suspension System
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced compressor and performed diagnostics. Repairs did not prevent recurrence in subsequent winters. One owner reports >$2,000 spent without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but offered no assistance. Canada had a class action lawsuit. No U.S. recall issued despite complaints spanning multiple model years.
Air suspension control — inability to adjust or synchronize height settings
Owners report the electronic height-adjustment system malfunctions, preventing them from raising or lowering the suspension symmetrically. Rear may raise while front does not, or one side may stay locked while the other moves. System becomes unresponsive to button commands.
When: Occurs during normal use of adjustable entry/exit mode. One reported case at unspecified mileage with unspecified history.
Symptoms owners cite: Buttons to adjust suspension height become unresponsive; Rear raises but front does not, or vice versa; Suspension gets stuck in one position; Truck sits uneven or lopsided
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported case.
Front control arm failure — detachment and frame fracture
Owners report front lower control arms detaching from the frame and upper control arm bushings failing due to poor weld quality. One owner documented poor weld fusion where the bushing loop attaches to the control arm shaft, leading to control arm breakage under normal driving loads.
When: Reported failures at 200k miles and during moderate towing (~3,000 lbs) at highway speeds from a stop.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of control while accelerating or driving; Vehicle pulls violently to one side; Driveshaft breaks (secondary failure from control arm detachment); Violent shuddering while driving; Hearing loud bang or sound of dragging metal
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced both upper control arms (with Moog aftermarket) and Mopar driveshaft out-of-pocket due to dealer wait times exceeding 1 month. Owner retained defective parts documenting poor weld quality.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA recalls declined to cover the defect. Manufacturer stated it was not a covered recall issue.
Track bar fracture
One owner reported the track bar fractured while towing a trailer at moderate speed, causing sudden loss of directional control and unsafe trailer sway.
When: At 157,000 miles while hauling a trailer at 35–40 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly loses steering control; Trailer sways from side to side; Vehicle veers into passing lane uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: Track bar replaced at independent Chevrolet dealer; alignment performed. Chrysler dealer provided no assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined assistance due to vehicle being out of warranty.
Death wobble / front-end shimmy and shaking
Owners report violent front-end shimmy, shaking, and wobbling at highway speeds (45–72 mph) that can affect steering and stability. Described as 'death wobble.' In some cases all four tires were replaced but the wobble persisted, suggesting a suspension or driveline component issue rather than a tire balance problem.
When: Reported at 42k, 55k, 68–72 mph in various cases. One owner reports shaking began as intermittent, now occurs at all speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and wobbling at 45–72 mph; Vehicle pulls to left and right; Steering becomes difficult to control; Acceleration fails to increase beyond 60 mph in one case; Tremor extends from front end throughout vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Mazda dealer replaced all four tires; failure continued. Mechanics unable to duplicate failure in some cases, preventing diagnosis.
Air suspension — unequal/lopsided ride height and involuntary adjustment
Owners report the air suspension system inflates and deflates unequally across the four corners while driving, causing the truck to sit lopsided or tilt dramatically to one side without operator input. System may swing between working and non-working or cycle between heights on its own.
When: Occurs intermittently or repeatedly throughout ownership; one case at 50k miles reports this began early in vehicle life.
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side sits lower than passenger side, or front lower than rear, unpredictably; System automatically inflates and deflates while driving; Vehicle leans dramatically to one side or rear; One corner raises to off-road mode while others do not; Truck becomes 'squirrely' and difficult to drive; Riding height changes without driver action
Codes mentioned: Service Air Suspension System
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose or locate the cause. Diagnostics show no saved fault codes despite owner observing system failures.
Air suspension sensor failures and recurring warning codes
Owners report air suspension sensors throwing fault codes, including 'Service Air Suspension System' and 'Service Trailer Brake System' warnings. Sensors fail repeatedly even after replacement. One owner noted a pattern of sensor failures tied to the system's electrical design, with each sensor costing ~$300.
When: Reported at various mileages; one owner replaced sensors once and reports new codes appearing again in subsequent winters.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Suspension System warning light illuminates; Service Trailer Brake System warning code; Service Electronic Braking System code appears; Warning lights clear temporarily but return
Codes mentioned: Service Air Suspension System, Service Trailer Brake System, Service Electronic Braking System
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors replaced at ~$300 per sensor plus labor. Failures recur. One owner spent >$2,000 at dealer; another unable to continue affording replacement costs.
Air suspension fuse blown repeatedly
Air suspension fuse blows repeatedly, causing the system to fail while the vehicle is parked and unoccupied. Indicates an electrical fault within the air suspension circuit, possibly a short or overcurrent condition.
When: Occurs while vehicle is parked and not in operation, repeatedly since purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Air suspension fuse blows without warning; System stops working after fuse failure; Often occurs while vehicle is parked
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse replaced multiple times without identifying root electrical cause.
Tire damage and rapid wear (possible driveline/suspension alignment issue)
One owner reports repeated tire failures (4 complete sets plus 2 additional tires) exhibiting out-of-round and radial run-out, accompanied by persistent shaking and wobble at 68–72 mph. Shaking continued despite multiple tire replacements and balances, suggesting a driveline or suspension alignment problem rather than tire defect.
When: Shaking and wobble present at 68–72 mph; multiple tire sets replaced without resolution.
Symptoms owners cite: Shaking and wobbling at highway speeds (68–72 mph); Tire damage: out-of-round and radial run-out; Problem persists despite tire replacement and rebalancing
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced four times and rebalanced multiple times. Owner has all repair orders (ROs). Problem not resolved, suggesting underlying driveline or suspension cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused to investigate.
Tire detachment at highway speed — total separation
One owner reports a front passenger-side tire completely detached from the vehicle while driving at 65 mph, causing loss of control and collision with guardrail. Airbags failed to deploy. Minor to moderate injuries to all occupants.
When: At 70,000 miles, 65 mph highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers right without warning at 65 mph; Total loss of control; Front passenger tire detaches completely; Vehicle strikes guardrail; Airbags do not deploy
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; no dealer diagnosis or repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Electronic braking system faults — loss of power during highway driving
Owner reports repeated 'Service Anti-lock Brake System' and 'Service Electronic Brake System' warnings appearing without prior warning lights, causing the vehicle to lose power suddenly, sometimes while at highway speeds. System requires cycling the ignition to restore operation.
When: Occurs irregularly; no specific mileage or temperature pattern provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Anti-lock Brake System warning appears; Service Electronic Brake System warning appears; Vehicle loses power immediately; No pre-warning lights before failure; Occurs at highway speeds without ability to predict
Codes mentioned: Service Anti-lock Brake System, Service Electronic Brake System
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; owner notes potential for rear-ending hazard if system fails at highway speed.
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
When the temperature dropped below -10F last Thursday, the front air suspension dropped to the bump stops and remained there until the temperature rose to above 32 degreesF. This made the truck unable to steer completely to the right or left, greatly lengthening the time and distance required to make a turn, lane change, etc. In effect, the vehicle is unsafe to drive under those conditions. No…
My rear airbag suspension consistently looses air pressure and drops to the lowest setting. The dealer is unable to find a cause of the issue. It is a safety issue because I use the truck to pull a camper and if I loose the rear air suspension while towing, I would loose stability and possible cause an accident. There are no warning lights that there is a problem with anything and the…
The contact owns a 2017 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the "Immediate Air Suspension Service Repair Required" warning message Illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle and the warning message functionality returned. The vehicle was taken independent mechanic where there was an unknown diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Had suspension trouble with your 2017 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2017 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 41 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 20,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.