The 2017 Ram 1500 is associated with 866 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 13 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Steering, accounting for 170 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 23 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 866 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 13 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Steering (170 / 20%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 80 crash / 16 fire / 48 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 15–23 MPG (7 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| 1500 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| 1500 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| 1500 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| 1500 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 22 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,150 / yr |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,150 / yr |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 13 MPG | 19 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $4,700 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| Regular PU/RC 2WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| Regular PU/RC 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
| Crew PU/CC 2WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| Quad PU/EC 2WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| Crew PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
| Quad PU/EC 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2017 Ram 1500 models.
View complete 2017 Ram 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2017 Ram 1500 problems & component breakdown (147 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Defect Summary: 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 due to a manufacturing defect.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
View all 2017 Ram 1500 recalls & campaign history (13 campaigns) →