2017 Ram 1500 transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V100000Feb 8, 2018180,462 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 17V821000Dec 20, 20171,482,874 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 17V198000Mar 23, 201730 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

  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.

  Remedy: 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 say

1. Filed Sep 22, 2026140,000 miMNTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 retaining screw had backed out, causing the rear axle failure. The mechanic determined that the rear axle assembly needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with…

   NHTSA complaint #11766061 · source
2. Filed Apr 29, 2026104,520 miORBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 taken back to the residence, and the contact used an OBD reader to diagnose the vehicle. The contact determined that the tone wheel had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11734668 · source
3. Filed Apr 28, 2026COEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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....

   NHTSA complaint #11734418 · source
4. Filed Apr 25, 2026VABrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Timeline of issues: 04/11/2026 – Vehicle purchased 04/16/2026 – Brakes began grinding 04/18/2026 – Vehicle developed starting issues 04/19/2026 – Brake system parts (pads, rotors, calipers) ordered due to failure 04/23/2026 – Parts received; same day 4WD was tested and confirmed not functioning properly (dashboard indicates engagement but front wheels do not engage) 04/24/2026 – Complete brake failure occurred due to caliper failure These issues occurred immediately after…

   NHTSA complaint #11733804 · source
5. Filed Apr 7, 2026177,000 miWISteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V198000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11729700 · source
6. Filed Mar 20, 2026MNFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   1Rear end shifted to passenger side 3 in 2. The intermittent shaft made the steering wheel over turn over half a turn. 3 manifold bolts replaced but snapped again. Fuel pump went out. Tailgate has opened multiple times. 120 k seems unfit to drive wheel studs drivers rear broke off 1 by 1 till there were 2 left

   NHTSA complaint #11725740 · source
7. Filed Mar 18, 2026214,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, after depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle unexpectedly reversed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shut off, the vehicle unexpectedly started rolling away while parked on a hill at the…

   NHTSA complaint #11725187 · source
8. Filed Mar 16, 2026140,455 miMNTowedSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, several unknown transmission codes were displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that a transmission flush was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11724765 · source
9. Filed Mar 5, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving on Interstate 20 in the third lane from the right of four total lanes when my truck suddenly lost all propulsion while attempting to pass another vehicle. The engine did not shut off, but it immediately dropped to very low RPM and the accelerator pedal no longer controlled the vehicle’s power. Multiple engine warning lights illuminated at the same time. I immediately activated my hazard lights and attempted to maneuver the vehicle across traffic to reach the…

   NHTSA complaint #11722254 · source
10. Filed Feb 17, 2026WAEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    I am reporting a persistent safety defect involving loss of intended drivability in my 2017 Ram 1500 with an 8-speed automatic transmission. For the past 3 years, on almost every use of the vehicle, the transmission enters an abnormal operating state where it becomes stuck in a single gear (most often 3rd or 4th) and will not upshift or downshift. When this occurs, the vehicle experiences reduced ability to accelerate and loss of normal drivability. The condition does not…

    NHTSA complaint #11718674 · source
11. Filed Feb 9, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

    The crankshaft tone wheel failed just like the TSB's and recalls. The vehicle would not restart. There are multiple bulletins and recalls along with warranty extensions for this issue but for some reason it does not seem to apply to my truck even thought it falls in the tsb years and details of failure.

    NHTSA complaint #11716726 · source
12. Filed Jan 31, 2026GADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was driving my truck today. I went to turn on cruise control and as I got to the mileage that I wanted, I hit set and then after I hit set about a half mile down the road a truck after wanted to lose power and then allowed bang from the transmission then it did it again bang I turned the cruise control off. I pulled over and I looked it up and it told me do not use the cruise control again and try to get home safely and that’s exactly what I did.

    NHTSA complaint #11714630 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology