The contact owns a 2017 RAM 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the cruise control mode became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic).…
2017 RAM 2500 brakes problems
moderate 336 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
336
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
5crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 336 brakes complaints filed for the 2017 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Brakes accounts for 51% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 336 brakes 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Ram 2500 shows a pattern of Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and ABS module failures across hundreds of complaints. The most common scenario: drivers see intermittent or constant "Service Electronic Braking System" and ABS warning lights, sometimes with an audible beeping. These warnings disable ABS and Traction Control and often shut off cruise control. Some owners report the lights appear at 13,000 miles, others much later, and many experience the same failure recurring within months or years after dealer repair.
More serious failures include complete loss of brake pressure—the pedal goes to the floorboard with no resistance—forcing drivers to swerve into ditches, nearly hit other vehicles, or use the electronic parking brake to stop. At least one owner experienced brake lockup at 65 mph while hitting a deer. Others report the HCU failure causing front calipers to stick and smoke, or brake lines to rupture.
The real problem: NHTSA Campaign 24V896000 was issued in November 2024, but the replacement parts remain backordered months later. Dealers say the original parts supplier is out of business. Owners are stuck either paying $800–$1,500 out of pocket before recall parts are available, or disconnecting the ABS fuse and driving without anti-lock brakes. Some trucks have now been parked for over a year waiting for parts. Stellantis has also resisted covering collateral damage (calipers, brake lines) caused by the HCU failure, arguing only the recalled part is their responsibility.
Same RAM 2500 brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) failure causing stuck calipers and brake line damage
The HCU fails internally, causing front brake calipers to stick and damaging brake line mesh, resulting in smoking brakes and loss of braking control. One owner reported $1,600 in repairs (HCU, two front calipers, brake lines) but Stellantis recall reimbursement covered only the HCU replacement ($1,342), denying costs for secondary damage.
When: Various mileages: 10,135 miles; 12,343 miles; 19,100 miles; 22,000 miles; reported as early as first few years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Front brakes smoking; Vehicle difficult to drive; ABS warning light illuminated; Stuck calipers; Brake pedal becomes hard to push; Complete loss of braking response
Codes mentioned: C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electrical Failure), Service Electronic Braking System warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owner-cited repairs: $1,600 (HCU, two calipers, brake lines); $1,342 Stellantis recall reimbursement approved (HCU only); Dealers report replacement costs $800–$1,500 for HCU alone; Midas work cited new HCU, front calipers both sides, new brake lines
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); Stellantis recall reimbursement available but limited in scope; parts remain severely backordered as of Aug 2025
Intermittent ABS and Traction Control warning lights with disabling of brake and stability functions
ABS module or HCU generates intermittent or persistent warning messages ('Service Anti-Lock Brake System,' 'Service Electronic Braking System') and illuminates ABS/Traction Control lights. The warnings disable ABS, Traction Control, and sometimes 4WD and cruise control, appearing randomly or during bumpy road conditions. Many owners report the fault code C0020-01. Some owners reset codes or disconnect ABS fuse to silence the warnings, leaving the vehicle without ABS protection.
When: 13,000 miles; 18,000 miles; 22,000–30,000 miles common; reported from 2 weeks to 5+ years after purchase; one owner experienced failure twice (12,343 miles in 2020, recurred at 30,901 miles in 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent 'Service Electronic Braking System' warning message and audible dinging; Amber ABS warning light illuminating randomly or during rough road conditions; Warnings lasting seconds to minutes or staying on continuously; Loss of cruise control when lights are on; Loss of Traction Control; Loss of 4WD function; Brake pedal hard to push; No physical change to brake feel or function despite warnings
Codes mentioned: C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electrical Failure), Service ABS warning codes, ECM failure codes (misdiagnosis in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reset codes temporarily; Ram dealership quoted $1,500 for HCU and ABS module replacement; owners report part ETA delays from weeks to months; one owner replaced HCU twice in 5 years (2020: $984.89; 2024: $698.46); another replaced same part at 27,000 miles and again at 45,500 miles (~$600–$800 per repair); many owners disconnect ABS fuse to silence warnings but lose ABS protection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2017 models as of early 2023; NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-012) opened Jan 23, 2023, with 134+ reports; NHTSA Campaign 24V896000 issued Nov 2024 for 2017–2018 Ram 2500/3500 but parts remain unavailable; 2019+ models recalled earlier; dealers report parts on backorder indefinitely, with original supplier reportedly out of business; no permanent fix offered
ABS module or control module repeated failure and replacement
ABS control module or ECM fails, triggering warning lights and loss of braking system functionality. Some owners experience the same failure recurrently after dealer replacement, within months or 1–3 years. Dealers report the part as on 'parts restriction' and unavailable for extended periods. One owner replaced the module four times in six years at roughly 5,000-mile intervals.
When: At 4,495; 10,058; 15,198; 20,052 miles (one owner, four failures in 6 years); first failure often within 1–3 years of ownership or within first 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS/TC indicator light flashing repeatedly with warning chime; Service Anti-Lock Brake System and Service Electronic Braking System warnings; Loss of ABS and Traction Control; Check engine light; Failure to shift out of park; Limp mode activation
Codes mentioned: C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electrical Failure), ABS Pressure codes, ABS Module codes, ECM codes (misdiagnosis, leading to unnecessary ECM replacement), Transmission failure codes (misdiagnosis in cascading failure scenarios)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace ABS module or ECM; parts consistently on backorder; one owner: first replacement under warranty in 2019; second out-of-warranty in 2020; third in 2023 at 82,851 miles, quoted ~$1,000 but part redesign delayed availability; another owner: four replacements in six years (all documented with repair paperwork)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V896000 issued Nov 2024; parts remain unavailable; dealers state part was being redesigned due to frequent failure; no ETA; Chrysler/Stellantis has not recalled 2017 models manufactured before April 1, 2017, citing VIN exclusion from recall range
Brake pedal loss of pressure or hard pedal response with emergency braking situations
Brake pedal goes to the floorboard, becomes unresponsive, or requires excessive force to depress. Occurs during emergency braking or routine stops, sometimes with the brake master cylinder detaching from the hydro boost or losing fluid. ABS and Traction Control lights illuminate. Some owners cannot stop the vehicle with normal braking, forcing them to use electronic parking brake or swerve to avoid obstacles.
When: Various mileages: 30 MPH while towing; 46,000–114,000 miles; 130,000+ miles; instances reported during highway driving and routine stops
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floorboard with little or no resistance; Brake pedal becomes hard to push; Chatter in brake pedal when depressed; Vehicle fails to stop as intended or requires extended distance to stop; Vehicle slides or skids when brakes applied; ABS, Traction Control, and Service Brake lights illuminate; Brake fluid leaks onto driveway; Brake calipers lock up
Codes mentioned: C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electrical Failure), Brake pressure codes, ABS module failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnose HCU failure, brake master cylinder detachment, caliper seizure; one owner: master cylinder and hydro boost replaced but front brakes locked after repair; another: brake circuit failure diagnosed but not repaired due to parts unavailability; caliper seal failures and line damage requiring replacement reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V896000 covers some instances; however, recall parts unavailable; dealer unable to complete repairs; manufacturer instructed one owner to cease driving and offered rental reimbursement once parts available (as of Aug 2025, still pending); no parts available
Loss of braking function while towing or hauling, emergency avoidance failures
During towing or hauling, the braking system fails unexpectedly. Owners report loss of ABS, Traction Control, and in one case exhaust brake failure. In critical incidents, owners were forced to swerve into ditches, nearly hit pedestrians/animals, or experienced brake lockup at highway speeds, resulting in collision damage.
When: While actively towing or hauling; various speeds and road conditions; incidents reported at 10,135 miles, during active towing trips
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock up while towing; Loss of braking response while towing trailer; Hard brake pedal while towing; Exhaust brake malfunction despite switch activated; ABS and Traction Control lights on; Vehicle unable to stop in emergency (forced evasive action); Check Brakes and Anti-Trac lights illuminated
Codes mentioned: C0020-01 (ABS Pump Motor Control - General Electrical Failure), HCU failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: HCU failure identified as root cause; parts unavailable for repair; one owner involved in collision with deer while brakes locked at 65 MPH (air bags did not deploy); another swerved into ditch to avoid vehicle pulling out in front while towing; repairs deferred due to parts shortage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V896000 issued but parts remain unavailable; one owner reports one year of waiting for parts with no resolution
Wheel bearing wear, grinding sounds, and brake system cascading failures
Owners report grinding sounds from front/rear wheels as if brake pedal was constantly depressed. One owner experienced repeated wheel bearing failures requiring replacement twice, with brake and rotor replacement, but failures persisted. The grinding sound and associated warnings suggest the ABS module failure may trigger or mask other brake system component wear.
When: At approximately 95,000 miles; failures reoccurred a month after first bearing replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding sound from front and rear wheels; Grinding sound as if brake pedal is continuously depressed; ABS warning light illuminated; Wheel bearing failure indicators
Codes mentioned: ABS module failure codes, Wheel bearing diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic replaced front bearings twice, brakes once, front rotors once; failures persisted; vehicle ultimately repaired with aftermarket bearings, but ABS fault remained
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall coverage; vehicle is out of warranty; aftermarket parts were used to attempt repair
Synthesized from 336 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
The abs module started throwing a code and had to be replaced in 2022 which cost me around 900.00 dollars and the same module has malfunctioned again in 2023. This seems to be a very common problem with 2017 and 2018 ram 2500 trucks. This module should be recalled for parts and labor.
ABS and Traction Control warning. Cruise control will not work either. This started at 25K miles, but the truck was out of warranty because of time. I purchased an ABS Module from Ram and installed it Dec 27, 2023 and I will have to take it to the dealer to program it.
my truck has 130,000 miles on it currently. At approximately 37,000 miles the ABS and Stability systems stopped working due to a faulty Hydraulic pump. I paid $800 to have the pump and control module replaced at the dealership. The brakes worked normally for approximately 20,000 miles. Around 60,000 miles the ABS and Stability systems stopped working again with the same fault codes as before.…
It seems that there is a failure problem with a ABS component on these trucks. I have already replace the hydraulic control unit once on my truck at about 27,000 miles and now I am experiencing the same problem again at about 45,500 miles. The ABS and traction control warning lights have come on again indicating a problem. It will flash service anti-lock braking system and service electronic…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer dropped to zero, and the ABS, traction control, and parking brake warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors failed to lock, and the brake lights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. The contact needed to manually lock and unlock the doors using the fob key.…
I concern about the abs control unit is not in the recalls section. I have 2017 ram 2500 cummin and I can't find this particular piece. look like this have the be in recall safety. I'm being with this problem about a year already and is always showing in my dash light all the time. this for sure is a recall problem
See an article that abs failure issues are being reported on 2017-2018 ram 2500-3500. In the process of waiting for an abs hydraulic actuator. Loss of abs and braking
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the "Anti-lock Electronic Brake Control Inoperative" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact…
One instance all the brakes locked up on dry pavement. Second instance the brakes were slowing the truck on a wet surface but would not stop and did not engage the antilock brakes properly. 3rd time brake locked up just on right front wheel.
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 RAM 2500?
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 brakes problem on the 2017 RAM 2500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 336 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 76 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 42,000 and 114,000 miles, with the median around 62,400. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 114,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2500.
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.