2017 RAM 1500 problems
Owners have filed 1,181 complaints about the 2017 RAM 1500 with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 19.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 13.1%.
Complaints1,181
Crashes110
Fires20
Injuries108
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Steering 19.1% · 226
Engine 13.1% · 155
Electrical system 9.0% · 106
Power train 8.2% · 97
Fuel/propulsion system 7.5% · 88
Service brakes 7.4% · 87
Unknown or other 5.7% · 67
Air bags 4.5% · 53
Severity
Of those complaints, 110 describe a crash, 20 describe a fire, 108 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 13 model years of the RAM 1500 in this data, 2017 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 465 in the last three years against 337 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 35,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Power steering suddenly stopped working. Same description as the other model years involved in the recall. Electric power steering goes out randomly, replacement part is extremely expensive, and nearly impossible to find available. This truck was this truck was produced in 2016 although model year 2017. Electric power steering is the same for the 13â-16â model years. 2017 should be included in the recall. Steering
Sudden loss of power steering first occurred in early 2025. Truck was towed to nearby auto shop and it was deemed that the eps system had failed. Geico deemed I was not at fault and that it was likely due to moisture getting in the system. The steering rack and pinion was replaced with insurance and then in January 2026, the same issue occurred again despite not throwing any previous check engine light codes. Steering
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. The check power steering message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Steering · reported at 83,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…