On I-40 eastbound mile marker 121 vehicle starts to shake and vibrate violently. I hear an explosion under the truck which cause a loss of power and had to fight with truck to get it off the road all why at a speed of 65 MPH. Transfer case exploded cutting wire harness in half and rupturing the fuel line. Truck was smoking bad as oil and fuel was leaking everywhere. Truck is inop at this point. Please help with this matter in an effort to help others from this experience. I almost wrecked trying to get the vehicle off the road after the transfer case exploded
2017 RAM 5500 owner complaints
19 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Listed by category, newest first within each section.
powertrain 6 complaints shown
While driving a vibration was noticed at speeds above 45 MPH. During transit the transfer case exploded causing a major failure of multiple systems. This failure occurred on a state highway leaving waco tx at 445 a.m. Police were dispatched to block traffic from further accidents until a tow vehicle was dispatched to the scene. Upon further investigation it was very noticeable that the transfer system in the powertrain system had exploded. This failure has caused multiple collateral damages to systems in the vicinity of the failure.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the transfer case had fractured and the front driveshaft had failed. The vehicle was towed and remained at the towing lot. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure however, the vehicle was not towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the failure was a known failure however, the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 292,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled to the side of the roadway and became aware that the transfer case had fractured into several pieces, and the front driveshaft had also fractured in several pieces. The contact stated that the fuel lines and the exhaust pipe were severely damaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the fuel lines, brake line, electrical wiring, transfer case, front driveshaft and the entire exhaust system were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 310,000.
While driving the vehicle on the highway the transfer case exploded, Chrysler determined that the repairs would not be covered under warranty. However, we provided proof of service over the time period that the vehicle was in service which was only 6 months. They explained our parts were not properly greased and maintained. We do know a business associate that had the exact same thing happen to his vehicle. I did research and in the past this has been a similar problem and recalls for the same exact issue...please help!!
Vehicle was driving on interstate at 70mph and started vibrating violently, a few seconds later there was a loud bang that turned into multiple bangs that could be felt at the drivers feet and the truck stalled. We had it towed back to our shop and found that the transfer case had exploded causing the front driveshaft to come apart which ended up tearing through the drivers floorboard, destroyed the engine and transmission wiring harnesses, cracked the transmission casing, and severed the brake and fuel lines. Luckily there were no injuries. The truck has 103,180 miles and is regularly maintained per Chrysler specifications.
brakes 3 complaints shown
ABS Pump Faulty and needed replacement at 10, 866 miles in 2022 when vehicle was just 5 years old. Cost at this time was $1459. Now just 2 years later and only 3000 additional miles ABS Pump is again faulty and unable to replace but no module is available at this time.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel which stated that the ABS function was not available and that the 4WD was disabled. The vehicle was taken a dealer where they kept the vehicle for over a week where they eventually replaced the brake hydraulic control unit ("HCU"). The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Two local dealers were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. Additionally, the contact was informed that the part that was used to repair the vehicle was a defective part and that it would need to be replaced once parts were available. The contact
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Several local dealers were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
steering 2 complaints shown
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of gear and went into neutral. Without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to southfork Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (844-350-9615, located at 17725 s freeway, manvel, tx 77578) where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the fuse in the fuel pump overheated without warning. The failure caused the fuel pump to seize and the vehicle to shut off. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was not covered by the warranty. The contact also stated that the idler pulley belt fractured, which caused the steering to lose power and the air conditioning to lose its cooling capabili
Right front steering tire experienced unusual wear on the outside cord only. Left side ok. Had the alignment checked by Dodge up to spec. Had my mechanic on a $50,000 rack check the alignment at my expense. Right front ok left front .7degrees out. Only adjustment is to replace the non adjustable ball joints with offset adjustable ball joints as well as the tires. Fca response was you know we only have a 12000 mile 12 month warranty on the alignment. Truck is almost two years old with 12900 miles. First the Dodge dealership was unable to do the alignment and the tech was upfront on not being comfortable working on this large truck. So I am left to manage this critical safety issue on my own. Fca rep admitted most Dodge dealerships are unable to repair the 5500 so they have to outsource the
tires 2 complaints shown
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500 equipped with nexen rodian tires, size: lt235/80r17 (na). Two months ago, the contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the death wobble. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but it was not diagnosed. Later, the contact took the vehicle to tate branch artesi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (919 s 1st st, artesia, nm 88210) for a minor repair. The dealer called the contact and stated that the vehicle had two split tires. The mechanic did not explain which tires were split. The contact planned to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN and DOT number were unknown. The tire and failure mileage was 28,000.
Left hand front tire blew out traveling on a straight hwy no warning there was a problem with the tire. Was driving at the legal speed limit of 75 MPH. I was lucky there were no other vehicles next to me or traveling in my direction at the time. It damaged the fender and inner liner, the tire was sent to goodyear and they said it was my fault the tire blew out. That I had hit something and caused damage to the belt. That is not true. I did not hit anything and there was nothing on the road to cause any damage to the tire.
wheels 1 complaint shown
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
engine 1 complaint shown
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. While the contact's husband was driving 50-55 MPH, smoke emerged from under the hood and the engine caught fire. The driver extinguished the fire. The service engine and oil warning indicators were illuminated. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot and then towed to mac haik Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram flowood (4000 lakeland dr, flowood, ms 39232, (855) 223-8958) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 35490335. The manufacturer did not assist. The warranty and insurance companies stated that the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The failure mileage was unknown.
other 1 complaint shown
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that after shifting into park(P), the vehicle rolled away and the parking brake failed to stop the vehicle. The contact used rocks to chock the front tires to stop the vehicle from rolling. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
electrical 1 complaint shown
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 5500. The contact stated that on several occasions while turned on the vehicle shut off and would not restart. The contact stated that the fuel fuse was replaced at the residence by an independent mechanic but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
suspension 1 complaint shown
Tl* the contact owns 2017 Ram 5500 equipped with continental tires, tire line: hdr, tire size: 225/70r/19.5, DOT number was a39yla4v0217. The contact stated both front tires were rotated and replaced 6 times within 48,000 miles. The contact stated the outside edge of the tire were worn-out. The contact stated front suspension repairs were needed but had not been performed. The vehicle was taken to landers mclarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram located at (6533 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35806) and were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 8,000.
cruise control 1 complaint shown
ABS and traction control light comes on intermittently when driving. Cruise control does not work and chime and warning lights come on as lights come on.