2017 Ram 5500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (5) · Tires (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ram 5500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (7)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2024-11-27 · campaign 24V896000 · 317,630 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The hydraulic control unit (HCU) may fail, which can cause the anti-lock brake (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control systems to fail.
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake HCU, or replace the HCU motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 9, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is C4B.
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2021-05-27 · campaign 21V398000 · 447,985 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for
Electrical System:software 2018-05-17 · campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the c
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmissi
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2018-02-08 · campaign 18V100000 · 180,462 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment 2017-12-21 · campaign 17V824000 · 61,791 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the v
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift 2017-12-20 · campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
Defect: 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 op
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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2017-09-12 · campaign 17V562000 · 443,874 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (277)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-21 · 9100923 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air cleaner - none instruction to dealers while ordering the pn# 68137142ad. 1. if the air cleaner assembly is functional and only the maf sensor has failed, the dealer should order and replace only the maf sensor(68002441ac). 2. if the air cleaner assembly has failed and the maf sensor remains func
Service Brakes 2026-06-26 · S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trac-rite operation diagnosis, chatter, shudder, moving from a stop and turning
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Engine 2026-06-17 · 112906 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bearing - crankshaft thrust and kit
Structure:body 2026-06-12 · S1623000028 Rev. K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Structure:body 2026-06-05 · S1623000028 REV.J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
outside power fold rearview mirror noise or loose at pivot. mirror contacts door window glass in the folded position.
Showing the 6 most recent of 277 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact stated that the abs and traction control warning lights were illuminated. the braking system was not operating normally. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulic). the dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. the fail…”
2026-09-05 · Wheels“my vehicle does not currently show an open recall in the nhtsa vin lookup, but the vehicle has experienced repeated and potentially catastrophic wheel and brake-related failures. i am requesting that nhtsa review these incidents for a possible safety defect and determine whether an investigation or safety action is warranted. i checked the nhtsa v…”
2026-05-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 88,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact stated that an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel which stated that the abs function was not available and that the 4wd was disabled. the vehicle was taken a dealer where they kept the vehicle for over a week where they eventually replaced the brake hydraulic control unit ("hcu"). t…”
2026-02-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v896000 (service brakes, hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. several local dealers were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceed…”
2024-08-20 · Service Brakes“abs pump faulty and needed replacement at 10, 866 miles in 2022 when vehicle was just 5 years old. cost at this time was $1459. now just 2 years later and only 3000 additional miles abs pump is again faulty and unable to replace but no module is available at this time. …”
2024-08-06 · Engine · 85,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact stated that on several occasions while turned on the vehicle shut off and would not restart. the contact stated that the fuel fuse was replaced at the residence by an independent mechanic but the failure reoccurred. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tipm needed to be repl…”
2022-09-27 · Wheels“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v398000 (wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact stated that the manufacturer had…”
2022-09-20 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · 292,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 mph, there was a loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. the contact stated that the transfer case had fractured and the front driveshaft had failed. the vehicle was towed and remained at the towing lot. the dealer was contacted and informed of the failure ho…”
2022-09-20 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · 310,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 mph, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. the driver pulled to the side of the roadway and became aware that the transfer case had fractured into several pieces, and the front driveshaft had also fractured in several pieces. th…”
2022-09-01 · Power Train · 193,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 ram 5500. the contact stated that after shifting into park(p), the vehicle rolled away and the parking brake failed to stop the vehicle. the contact used rocks to chock the front tires to stop the vehicle from rolling. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. the manufacturer was n…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.