2017 Ram 3500 engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

24 owners have reported engine problems with the 2017 Ram 3500, 10% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 89,000 mi.

Engine complaints
24
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
89,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine20
Engine and engine cooling3
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)1

Engine complaints across Ram 3500 years

120072201362014920158201624201716201825201930202013202125202242023620243202532026
Engine complaints by model year. The 2017 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k210k–30k130k–60k160k–100k1100k–150k2150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 17V562000Sep 12, 2017443,874 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jul 14, 2026109,000 miTXFireTowedEngine
    The contact owned a 2017 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that an employee parked the vehicle in front of an apartment complex, went inside the building to finish working; when the employee returned outside the building, the vehicle was on fire. No warning lights illuminated prior to the fire. The employee saw smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department was contacted, arrived on scene, and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained.…
    NHTSA complaint #11750400 · source
  2. Filed Nov 14, 2025272,000 miSCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle had undergone the regeneration process. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was performing the DPF regeneration cycle constantly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the SCR catalytic converter was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11699454 · source
  3. Filed Oct 10, 2025322,542 miSCTowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The low coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact unlatched the hood and noticed fluids spraying and that the fan belt had detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fan clutch…
    NHTSA complaint #11692495 · source
  4. Filed Aug 1, 2025CAEngine
    Recently I was informed about a possible engine failure involving a "Grid Heater Bolt". Upon my query, I learned the following: The RAM grid heater bolt failure can lead to serious engine damage. Here are some key points: 1. The grid heater nut can melt and fall off inside the intake plenum, often due to the grid heater relay sticking "on". Or fall off due to vibration. 2. A bolt in the 2007-2023 RAM 6.7L intake air heater can cause severe engine damage, and a warning code…
    NHTSA complaint #11677840 · source
  5. Filed Jul 16, 2025NJBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    While test driving a 2017 RAM 3500 6.7L Cummins diesel at Cherry Hill Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, both the check engine light and the regen warning light came on simultaneously. I returned to the dealership, looked up the regen warning, then retrieved my BlueDriver OBD2 scanner from my own vehicle. I scanned the truck on-site and ran live data. The scan confirmed the diesel particulate filter (DPF) was 100% full, and the regeneration system was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11674103 · source
  6. Filed Feb 26, 2025KYEngine
    P2609 check engine code for a component in the diesel fuel intake chamber. The relay failed, melted a bolt and attached nut that fell into the intake manifold. The part then traveled into piston cylinder destroying the valves and the engine. The truck then is powerless on the roadway. This is a known issue for all Ram diesel’s manufactured 2007-2024. This should be a major recall and Ram has done nothing for vehicles out of warranty. Please help.
    NHTSA complaint #11645067 · source
  7. Filed Jul 8, 2024FLTowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving uphill and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it diagnosed that the emission control system had failed. The mechanic replaced the EGR cooler,…
    NHTSA complaint #11600141 · source
  8. Filed Mar 18, 2024AZEngine
    on Cummins Diesel Engine installed on this vehicle, On the Intake Air Heater assembly, there is a nut/bolt that has voltage applied to it to heat incoming air, this bolt/nut can melt and then eventually drop into #6 cylinder which will damage engine and possibly freeze/stop engine while driving thereby creates a safety hazard while driving. In my case engine warning light came on before the bolt dropped into cylinder and was repaired before damage occurred. Also see the…
    NHTSA complaint #11578107 · source
  9. Filed Feb 23, 2024GAEngine
    Potential Grid Heater defect that can cause major engine failure and/or fire. The bolt connecting the Heater Grid to the intake plenum can heat up and break off, fall into the intake, and get pulled into a cylinder causing major damage.
    NHTSA complaint #11573578 · source
  10. Filed Feb 6, 2024ALEngine
    Truck broke engine while driving in downtown Atlanta, GA towing a trailer. After having a certified diesel mechanic diagnose the problem, it was discovered that the grid heater has malfunctioned causing it to melt a bolt and break off into the engine thus causing a total engine loss. After researching online and speaking with the mechanic, this is apparently a common problem that we were unaware of. Had we been informed, we could have been proactive in preserving the engine.…
    NHTSA complaint #11570297 · source
  11. Filed Jan 5, 2024MNEngine
    Grid heater bolt failure. Vehicle is currently located at the dealership and the is labeled “Do not start”. Part of the grid heater bolt can fall into vehicle intake and cause catastrophic engine failure. Check engine light came on after bolt failure. This has been a known issue but nothing has been done to resolve it.
    NHTSA complaint #11563689 · source
  12. Filed Jun 6, 2023OREngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The grid heater in my engine overheated causing a bolt to lose integrity and snap off being sucked into the # 6 cylinder causing catastrophic damage to the motor while I was towing a trailer up hill. Losing all power on a hill with a trailer seems like a pretty dangerous situation to me. It’s a known issue dating back too 2014 and still hasn’t been fixed my 2017 suffered from the issue and now I’m 2021-2023 models there catching fire and being recalled but my 2017 is not.…
    NHTSA complaint #11525741 · source

Other 2017 Ram 3500 problem areas

Back to all 2017 Ram 3500 problems →

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