2017 Ram 3500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 414 complaints
414
Total Complaints
27,000mi
Median Mileage
Service Brakes
Top Issue
11
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
10,000
25th Percentile
27,000
Median Mileage
60,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Service Brakes
136
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
34
Electrical System
30
Vehicle Speed Control
28
Engine
26
Power Train
25
Wheels
19
Steering
18
Unknown Or Other
16
Suspension
14
Severity Assessment
11
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WHILE BEGINNING TO PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A VEHICLE THAT APPEARED TO BE COMING FASTER THAN EXPECTED, I LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND THEN MADE THE DECISION TO CONTINUE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I GOT BACK ON THE THROTTLE, THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATE 2 SECOND DELAY WHERE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO..."
"2017 RAM 3500 DUALLY 4X4 68RFE, FIRST TIME TRUCK WAS TAKEN OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF TOWN WHERE SPEED LIMIT WAS 75. TRUCK HAS A VERY PRONOUNCED SHAKE IN THE REAR. THIS IS FELT IN CAB OF THE TRUCK, BUT NOT THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SEAT SHAKES BACK AND FORTH. LIKE REAR IS OSCILLATING, AND A DRONI..."
"VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A G56 MERCEDES 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN 5TH GEAR THERE IS A CHATTER ORIGINATING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AMPLIFIED BY THE SHIFT LEVER. NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS AT ANY SPEED AND ANY LOAD (UNDER THE FIFTH WHEEL OR NOT) WHILE IN 5TH GEAR. GEARS 1 THRU 4 AND 6 ARE QU..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Service Brakes
136 complaints
25th: 2,050 mi
Median: 15,000 mi
75th: 22,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
34 complaints
25th: 33,000 mi
Median: 65,000 mi
75th: 115,000 mi
Electrical System
30 complaints
25th: 11,375 mi
Median: 22,500 mi
75th: 36,250 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
28 complaints
Median: 32,000 mi
Engine
26 complaints
25th: 4,200 mi
Median: 29,300 mi
75th: 79,280 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 50
CA: 36
FL: 35
SC: 19
NY: 15
NC: 15
GA: 15
PA: 14
NJ: 14
IN: 13
Who Files Complaints?
2.9%
Original Owners
97.1%
Second+ Owners
Ram 3500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (13)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Connection
Campaign 19V021000 | 25/01/2019
A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbe
Linkages
Campaign 18E096000 | 16/10/2018
The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.
Latch
Campaign 19V347000 | 09/05/2019
If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this rec
Tailgate
Campaign 18V486000 | 27/07/2018
If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U74.
Wiring
Campaign 18V332000 | 17/05/2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 21V398000 | 27/05/2021
Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification
Column Shift
Campaign 17V821000 | 20/12/2017
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.
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.
Wheels
Campaign 17V499000 | 10/08/2017
If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
AEV will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
Equipment
Campaign 17V824000 | 21/12/2017
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidd
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 18V100000 | 08/02/2018
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.
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 rec
Diesel
Campaign 17V562000 | 12/09/2017
The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, 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 T51.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 24V896000 | 27/11/2024
A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 9, 2025. Some owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2025. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a f
Inflator
Campaign 25V010000 | 16/01/2025
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28