2017 Ram 4500 Problems

Severe Issues

Used RAM 4500 shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 4 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Brake System the most reported area.

older10 years2018

Before you buy

This 2017 Ram 4500 has 4 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview

Free preview · Full report from $12.95.

4
Complaints
1
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Fatalities
7
Recalls
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Ram 4500 has 4 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.

2017 Ram 4500 — key reliability facts
Make
Ram
Model
4500
Model year
2017
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Crash-related complaints
1
Safety recall campaigns
7
Top reported component
Brake System
Reliability signal
Severe Issues

Common problems

Most common 2017 Ram 4500 problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
2
complaints

Brake System

#2
2
complaints

Hydraulic

#3
2
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:1

Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Hydraulic, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2017 Ram 4500?

This RAM 4500 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.

Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.

May Suit

This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2017 Ram 4500

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
  • Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
  • Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN

Before You Close the Deal

  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2017 Ram 4500, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

Full breakdown

All 2017 Ram 4500 complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Ram 4500. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Brake System2
Hydraulic2
Transmission / Drivetrain21
Suspension Failures11
Airbag Malfunctions11

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Ram 4500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Showing 4 most recent complaints

Brake SystemMay 28, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

Brake SystemAug 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 4500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had excee…

Suspension Failures CrashOct 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 RAM 4500. The contact stated while towing 3 vehicles and driving 60 mph, when the front of the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving but began to change to the right lane when…

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 4500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE …

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Ram 4500.

Safety recalls

2017 Ram 4500 recalls

7 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Ram 4500. 7 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

#18V332000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING17/05/2018
Safety recall

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

#21V398000WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS27/05/2021
Safety recall

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

#17V821000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT20/12/2017
Safety recall

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

#18V100000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONAug 2, 2018
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT

#17V824000EQUIPMENT21/12/2017
Safety recall

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

#17V562000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESELDec 9, 2017
Safety recall

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

#24V896000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE27/11/2024

Across model years

Compare Ram 4500 model years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2017 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2017 Ram 4500 buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2017 Ram 4500 reliable?

Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 4 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns for this model year. This RAM 4500 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ram 4500?

#1: Brake System (2 complaints). #2: Hydraulic (2 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (2 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Ram 4500?

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2017 Ram 4500?

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2017 Ram 4500, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 4 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2017 Ram 4500 have any recalls?

Yes. 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2017 Ram 4500. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. 7 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2017 Ram 4500?

This RAM 4500 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.

Wider context: See the full Ram 4500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2017 Ram 4500 based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.