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2017 Ram 2500 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
12%
85 of 697 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2017 Ram 2500. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 12% of relevant complaints.

Better than 96% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2017 Ram 2500 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 85 of 697 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 2500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (12%). For comparison, the 2016 scores 46% and the 2018 scores 4%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
85
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
697
this model year
Fires reported
6
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
12
12 crashes · 10 injuries

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES519 · 74%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM121 · 17%
HYDRAULIC96 · 14%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL72 · 10%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE63 · 9%
STEERING49 · 7%

The years either side

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

How the 2017 compares with other Ram 2500 years

Of the 13 Ram 2500 years with enough complaints to score, the 2017 is the 2nd-best on engine and transmission share (12%). The worst is the 2021 (53%), the best the 2018 (4%). By volume, the 2017 drew 697 complaints (85 drivetrain), against 258 for the 2016 and 2,597 for the 2018.

Ram 2500 years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2017 Ram 2500

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2017 Ram 2500 said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

POWER TRAIN08/22/2017CRASH1 INJURED
STOPPED AND PLACED MY RAM 2500 IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. GOT OUT AND PUSHED A VEHICLE OFF A CAR DOLLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK! THE TRUCK JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND STARTED GOING BACKWARDS. I RAN TO STOP IT AS THE TRUCK AND CAR DOLLY JACK KNIFED HITTING ME AND KNOCKING BACKWARDS. THE DOLLY WEDGED UNDER THE SIDE OF THE …

One of 85 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

2017 Ram 2500 engine and transmission recalls

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2017 Ram 2500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 12 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

power train: automatic transmission18V100000 · Feb 2018

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…

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…

power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift17V821000 · Dec 2017

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…

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…

engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel17V562000 · Sep 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.

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

Fix: 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…

9 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator25V010000 · Jan 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture…
service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module24V896000 · Nov 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can…
latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch19V347000 · May 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018…
steering: linkages: drag: link: connection19V021000 · Jan 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag…
steering: linkages18E096000 · Oct 2018
Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018…
structure: body: tailgate18V486000 · Jul 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate…
electrical system: wiring18V332000 · May 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee…
equipment17V824000 · Dec 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models…
wheels17V499000 · Aug 2017
Streetcar ORV LLC, dba American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks, modified by AEV to be equipped with cast aluminum Katla 8.5" road wheels.…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.

Checking one particular 2017 Ram 2500? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

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Questions people ask about the 2017 Ram 2500

Does the 2017 Ram 2500 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 85 of 697 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 2500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (12%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ram 2500?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2017 Ram 2500 is service brakes: 519 of 697 complaints (74%) name it, followed by electrical system (121) and hydraulic (96). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 12% of the relevant total.

Is the 2017 Ram 2500 reliable?

On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 12% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 96% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Ram 2500 years we score, it ranks 2nd-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2017 Ram 2500?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2017 Ram 2500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 12 in total: 18V100000 (power train: automatic transmission), 17V821000 (power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift), 17V562000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Ram 2500 years are better?

Among the Ram 2500 years we track, the 2018 (4%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2017 (12%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ram-2500

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.