RAM 3500 problems
301 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v818000 (engine and engine cooling, equipment). The vehicle was taken to bob frensley Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat (888-910-6926, located at 2210 gallatin pike n, madison, tn…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS warning light remained illuminated with an audible alarm inside the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not…
It has been over 1year now and chrysler still doesn't have a fix for the anti lock brake system. How long can this go on? the truck keeps kicking out the cruise control and the traction controls. I have been contacting the dealers but there isn't a fix WTF!
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ25003 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2017 RAM 3500 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 301 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 RAM 3500 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 RAM 3500?
The 2017 RAM 3500 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 RAM 3500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 135 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,221 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 62,221 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my RAM 3500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 RAM 3500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 301 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.