10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,672 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Ram 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2017 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #60

Jan 212024

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, the truck started shuttering and as I was able to stop where I was, the D light was flashing and the truck died. It would not start, it would not let me put it in N to be able to try and get off the road.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #59

Dec 242023

1500

  • miles
Brakes locked up in busy pedestrian area when it was wet. Message popped up on dash that stated to service electronic braking system and a second to service the ABS brake system. I almost hit someone because they did not perform as they have in hard braking scenarios in the past. The truck is at the dealership with no parts available in the nation and no aftermarket availability until an engineering solution is found at FCA. There is much to read on the issue at various online forum sites. When I slammed on my brakes my truck slid all over the place and that has never happpend before.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #58

Dec 202023

1500

  • miles
While driving on a busy Highway my 2017 Ram 1500 will lose power causing me to abruptly slow down in the middle of the road. Suddenly my check engine light and every other light appears and I get many warnings in the dash: service electronic braking system, service shifter, and many more. Restarting the vehicle or disconnecting the battery will resolve the issue for a short amount of time. It-??s not long before the same thing happens again.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #57

Oct 302023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was brought in several times for loose headlights. Each time fastners were replaced. By dealership. Larry Miller boise, ID. Called ram cares they stated nothing was reported to them nor were there any recall. This is a major safety issue and on forums many people state they cannot pass state inspection because the headlights are falling out.

- Caldwell, ID, USA

problem #56

Mar 172021

1500

  • miles
Fuel sensor failure causing check engine light to activate

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

problem #55

Aug 232023

1500

  • miles
Me and my girlfriend were driving down a 2 lane highway and my ram 1500 suddenly lost power steering ability and spun out of control because the steering was very hard to steer at 55 mph. Lucky I was able to start the truck back up and slowly try to drive to a pullout with no steering help.. My girlfriend and I were very scared but grateful that our lives spared. Prior to this incident there were no warnings or signs of electronic power steering failure. After pulling away from the road shoulder we were able to drive slowly home as we we-??re about a mile from home warming lights on the instrument cluster and chiming -??Service Power Steering!-?? The truck is out of warranty so I could not afford to have the dealership repair the power steering problem.

- Mountain Center , CA, USA

problem #54

Jul 012021

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS and traction control light come on for no reason. With message of servcice ABS system and service trailer braking system. Also lightning bolt light- (etc control) comes on wont let your truck accelorate or shift. You can unplug the pedal over night and you will get a day or two before it comes back on. I have replaced three different $400 gas pedals within two years

- Farmington, NM, USA

problem #53

Mar 222023

1500

  • miles
Shortly after starting the engine it suddenly shut off. This has happened on three occasions, and each time I noticed the key fob was between the ON and ACC positions. I think the key fob sometimes returns too far after I release it from the start position. The first two times I had to turn it to the off position, remove the key fob, then restart the engine. This time nothing happened when I tried to restart the engine. I removed the key fob and opened and closed the driver door, then was able to restart the engine.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #52

Dec 092022

1500

  • miles
While parking my truck, it had an unintended acceleration and my foot was not on the gas peddle. I was going about 1-2mph and the truck picked up speed unexpectedly and collided with my garage wall. I am unsure what component malfunctioned and it has not yet been inspected. Myself and my baby were in the car and luckily I was able to stop by hitting the brakes and putting the car in park. It continued to pull forward even with my foot on the brake. There was no warning or codes prior to or after the incident.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #51

Sep 282022

1500

  • miles
The 8.4" infotainment screen freezes up at random times. This is an ongoing recurring issue. This is not only a comfort/convenience/entertainment annoyance. This also disables safety equipment, for example the back-up camera and the windshield defrosting via the climate control system. While I have reached out to the manufacturer for guidance, I have not taken it in for service. There are no warning lamps or indicators of malfunction. This has not resulted in any accidents yet, although I can plainly see the potential.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #50

Oct 022022

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Every time I travel thru the New York Metro region my Navigations starts "updating" and going blank, or starting telling me I am located in an area I am not even near like a walkway or a river. Have contacted Dodge and Sirius multiple times on the issue and both point the finger at each other. No other component of the system are having a problem, like the radio, climate control, etc only the navigation system and only when I am in the New York Metro area. I have picture to show the issue and have almost crash a number of times trying to fix the navigation while driving in the area.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #49

Jun 282022

1500

  • miles
On 26 June 2022 while driving home the truck doors stated locking and the lights flashed every time I came to a stop. On 28 June 2022 the truck self started while inside the garage. The key fob was inside the home on a shelf with no one around and nobody was touching the truck. This is very unsafe since we have an attached garage and we sleep about 12 feet away from the tail pipe. On 29 June 2022 I took it to Dishman Dodge in Spokane WA where I was told that this has never happened. I am the original owner and this truck has had many previous electrical issues (Back up camera, cruise control, fail to start due to security chip pickup, wiper control, power window). It now has 62,000 miles.

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

problem #48

Jun 142022

1500

  • miles
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system went out while turning. Making the turn hazardous as the wheels were impossible to rotate. This has happened multiple times and without warning. Happens both turning left and turning right and will occur when tires are straight as well. My safety and the safety of others were put as risk and continue to be at risk with this vehicle and others like it on the roads. The problem has been stored in the trucks CPM and pulled by the dealer to verify the accident occurred. I was informed nothing can be done since no recalls pull up with my particular VIN number. It has not yet been inspected by police or insurance. The "EPS!" message occurred as the steering was out.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #47

Mar 272022

1500

  • miles
On Sunday March 27, 2022 my daughter and I were in my 2017 Ram 1500 Bighorn 5.7 liter Hemi, driving east bound on a major road leading from my neighborhood. We were going about 50 mph when the entire dash board lit up like a Christmas tree, windshield wipers, radio volume going up and down, all sensors going off, and the entire speedometer went black, all of this happened going full speed, oh, and the gear shift knob turned off!!!! I couldn-€™t control my vehicle at all. All of this happened and then it just went black, no speedometer, no gear shifter, and no steering control!! I want to remind you that I was driving with my child in the truck!! It is now at my local mechanic with the truck completely bricked. No power whatsoever, gear is stuck, and the key fob is stuck in ACC and they cannot get it out. This needs to be investigated asap. If I was in the highway we would have killed ourselves and possibly someone else. I lost all control over my vehicle due to some freak electrical issue Chrysler refuses to fix. Maybe a fat lawsuit will help. If you research the complaints on this vehicle, you will see this is not the first time this has happened. Does someone, or a family, have to die first before you will respond?!! This is on you Chrysler to do the right thing. Recall these trucks ASAP. I swear to you someone is going to die if you do not act now!! I-€™m a combat veteran who has been in actual combat, and this was one of the most terrifying incidents of my life, mainly because my babygirl was in there with me. For the price I paid for this truck, it should be darn near bulletproof. Sad day when American manufacturers put profit over people.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #46

Feb 172022

1500

  • miles
My electronic power steering failed. Makes it next to impossible to steer. Thankfully low speed, so no crash. No warning prior to failure.

- Elkland, MO, USA

problem #45

Nov 292021

1500

  • miles
loss of electric power steering (EPS) when taking left turns and trying to straightening the wheel back there no power steering and this happens at all speeds called Ram dealer two week wait to get it in to look at it. no warning lamps or messages. looks like there a recall on 2013-2016 Ram 1500 and 2018 -2020 Ram 1500 for this problem but not for 2017 ?

- Errol, NH, USA

problem #44

Mar 242021

1500

  • miles
The truck was in my driveway, with ignition off. I had come home for lunch and was doing some work on the computer when a neighbor saw my truck on fire and alerted me. We called 911 and I went out to see what was going on. By then the entire bed area was completely engulfed with flames and it was beginning to spread into the cabin area. Within 10 minutes the truck was completely engulfed in flames. AFter the fire was extinguished, the fire department (captain) told me they believed the fire began in the rear passenger side taillight. That was the "hot spot". The truck was a total loss.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #43

Oct 012021

1500

  • miles
The vehicle-€™s electronic ignition control does not seem to detect the presence of the key flob in order to activate, thus leaving the vehicle inoperable. This is an intermittent problem. I contacted my local dealership (Herb Chambers Ram, Millbury, MA.) and a service inspection was conducted. Though the dealership could not replicate this fault during my visit, they did confirm that an internal Ram service advisory exists pertaining to this ignition problem. The recommended correction is to replace the ignition module. The dealership put the part on order. It has now been four weeks since my visit. The dealership reports that the part is on back order and without an expected delivery date. I am also told that the module is a Ram/Mopar specific unit. As such, only an OEM can be used. In the meantime, I am unable to drive the vehicle. Though it may start, I cannot rely upon it restarting. Since an internal Ram service advisory exists on this issue, it is obviously a documented problem. The safety issue at hand is that a faulty ignition module leaves the driver/passengers at risk of being stranded should the unit fail.

- Worcester , MA, USA

problem #42

Aug 032021

1500

  • miles
When the truck gets to a half of a tank the fuel light will come on and the gauge drops down past empty as well as a check engine light will come on. This is getting more frequent and if this happens at a lower fuel amount there is a possibility of the unit running out of fuel and being in traffic or interstate highway. This could prove to be deadly.

- Wheatridge, CO, USA

problem #41

Jul 282021

1500

  • miles
While driving on fwy engine just turn off at 65mph and started again?

- Alamo, CA, USA

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