2017 RAM 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2017 RAM 1500, 11% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 21,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “park position” (5% of reports).
- 98power train complaints
- 21,000median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 39%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Park position: mentioned in 5 of 98 complaints (5%)
- Depressing accelerator pedal: mentioned in 5 of 98 complaints (5%)
- Rear axle: mentioned in 5 of 98 complaints (5%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 5 of 98 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 60 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 98 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
RAM 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 10 | 10% | 1,600 |
| 2025 1500 | 49 | 14% | 4,000 |
| 2024 1500 | 15 | 20% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 28 | 14% | 14,000 |
| 2022 1500 | 103 | 17% | 17,560 |
| 2021 1500 | 99 | 15% | 28,000 |
| 2020 1500 | 63 | 10% | 22,000 |
| 2019 1500 | 207 | 14% | 12,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 60 | 9% | 23,779 |
| 2017 1500 | 98 | 11% | 21,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 202 | 13% | 32,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 226 | 15% | 50,000 |
| 2014 1500 | 192 | 11% | 44,165 |
| 2013 1500 | 86 | 7% | 23,807 |
| 2009 1500 | 9 | 24% | 89,253 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
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 rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
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 rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 1500 trucks. The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up.
Risk: A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T20.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after reversing out of the driveway and shifting into drive(D, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the differential pin…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Electronic Stability Control" was displayed. While investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was…
Vehicle is having the same issues it had before with soot and sludge build up in the engine that caused the EGR to fail and melt into the engine... I have all the parts that were replaced from the 1st time this happened and was not repaired properly and is now causing a catastrophic failure....
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2017 RAM 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 98 owner complaints about power train for the 2017 RAM 1500 (11% of the 882 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2017 RAM 1500 power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 21,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2017 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “park position”, in 5 of 98 complaints, followed by “depressing accelerator pedal” (5).
Other 2017 RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (228)
- Engine problems (156)
- Electrical System problems (109)
- Service Brakes problems (91)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (89)
- Air Bags problems (53)
- Suspension problems (50)
See all 2017 RAM 1500 problems or power train problems across all 1500 years.