2017 Ram 4500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2017 Ram 4500, most often about the power train. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-896 the manufacturer reports only 17% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 2, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2017 Ram 4500 has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train21
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Air bags11
Forward collision avoidance11
Service brakes11
Suspension11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2017 Ram 4500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

17%repaired · 2026 Q3

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Recall 24V-896 · Nov 27, 2024 · 317,630 vehicles · 54,887 repaired

Risk. A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

75%repaired · 2019 Q4

Electrical system: software

Recall 18V-332 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles · 3,629,629 repaired

Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

83%repaired · 2019 Q2

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 18V-100 · Feb 8, 2018 · 180,462 vehicles · 149,131 repaired

Risk. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
44%repaired · 2019 Q2

Equipment

Recall 17V-824 · Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles · 27,012 repaired

Risk. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2019 Q4

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 17V-821 · Dec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles · 860,137 repaired

Risk. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

80%repaired · 2019 Q4

Engine: diesel

Recall 17V-562 · Sep 12, 2017 · 443,874 vehicles · 355,950 repaired

Risk. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ram.

Best & worst years

2017 vs. every other 4500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4500 median. How we score

'08'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2017 Ram 4500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Front Driveshaft FailurePE19017 · closed Oct 22, 2023
    No recall
  2. Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) FailureRQ25003 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 4500 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2017 RAM 4500. The contact stated while towing 3 vehicles and driving 60 mph, when the front of the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving but began to change to the right lane when he heard a loud…
Complaint 11437474 · Oct 20, 2021 · 280,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 4500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION. AFTER…
Complaint 11170717 · Jan 18, 2019 · 20,000 miles

Own a 2017 4500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.