2017 RAM 1500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2017 Ram 1500. The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module has been non-functional for approximately one year. I have been informed the replacement part has been on national backorder for nearly two years, with no clear timeline for repair. The ABS system is a critical safety component designed to prevent wheel lock-up, maintain steering control during emergency braking, and reduce stopping distances in wet or icy conditions. Without a functioning ABS module, the vehicle is at increased risk of skidding, loss of steering control, and extended stopping distances. In a full-size pickup truck, this creates a substantial risk of serious injury or death to occupants and others on the road. Additionally, related systems such as traction control and electronic stability control may be compromised. Online owner forums indicate this is an ongoing issue affecting many Stellantis-built vehicles, including Ram 1500 models. While recalls have been issued for other model years for braking-related defects, no recall has been issued for the 2017 model year despite similar failures. It is unacceptable for a manufacturer to leave owners operating vehicles with a known safety defect while critical braking components remain unavailable for extended periods. If a safety system cannot be repaired within a reasonable timeframe, regulatory intervention is warranted. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter and determine whether a recall is necessary. Should an accident, injury, or fatality occur due to this unresolved ABS defect, the manufacturer should be held accountable.

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2017 Ram 1500. The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module has been non-functional for approximately one year. I have been informed the replacement part has been on national backorder for nearly two years, with no clear timeline for repair. The ABS system is a critical safety component designed to prevent wheel lock-up, maintain steering control during emergency braking, and reduce stopping distances in wet or icy conditions. Without a functioning ABS module, the vehicle is at increased risk of skidding, loss of steering control, and extended stopping distances. In a full-size pickup truck, this creates a substantial risk of serious injury or death to occupants and others on the road. Additionally, related systems such as traction control and electronic stability control may be compromised. Online owner forums indicate this is an ongoing issue affecting many Stellantis-built vehicles, including Ram 1500 models. While recalls have been issued for other model years for braking-related defects, no recall has been issued for the 2017 model year despite similar failures. It is unacceptable for a manufacturer to leave owners operating vehicles with a known safety defect while critical braking components remain unavailable for extended periods. If a safety system cannot be repaired within a reasonable timeframe, regulatory intervention is warranted. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter and determine whether a recall is necessary. Should an accident, injury, or fatality occur due to this unresolved ABS defect, the manufacturer should be held accountable.

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2017 Ram 1500. The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module has been non-functional for approximately one year. I have been informed the replacement part has been on national backorder for nearly two years, with no clear timeline for repair. The ABS system is a critical safety component designed to prevent wheel lock-up, maintain steering control during emergency braking, and reduce stopping distances in wet or icy conditions. Without a functioning ABS module, the vehicle is at increased risk of skidding, loss of steering control, and extended stopping distances. In a full-size pickup truck, this creates a substantial risk of serious injury or death to occupants and others on the road. Additionally, related systems such as traction control and electronic stability control may be compromised. Online owner forums indicate this is an ongoing issue affecting many Stellantis-built vehicles, including Ram 1500 models. While recalls have been issued for other model years for braking-related defects, no recall has been issued for the 2017 model year despite similar failures. It is unacceptable for a manufacturer to leave owners operating vehicles with a known safety defect while critical braking components remain unavailable for extended periods. If a safety system cannot be repaired within a reasonable timeframe, regulatory intervention is warranted. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter and determine whether a recall is necessary. Should an accident, injury, or fatality occur due to this unresolved ABS defect, the manufacturer should be held accountable.

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 resolve while driving and requires me to pull over, shut the vehicle off, and restart it to restore operation. This defect has occurred multiple times at freeway speeds, requiring me to pull over onto the highway shoulder due to loss of vehicle function. A vehicle that cannot reliably shift or accelerate at highway speed presents a clear safety hazard to the driver and surrounding traffic. Requiring a stop-and-restart is not a safe or reasonable mitigation strategy in real-world traffic conditions. The issue occurs more frequently when the vehicle is cold, indicating a predictable and repeatable failure mode, not driver error or misuse. I have had to alter normal driving behavior, including extended warm-up periods and avoiding highways, to reduce risk. I was informed by repair facilities that this is a known issue related to transmission control module (TCM) software, and that Chrysler has issued Technical Service Bulletin(s) describing TCM software updates to address abnormal shifting and drivability behavior. The existence of these TSBs demonstrates manufacturer knowledge of the failure mode and a defined corrective action, yet the issue has not been addressed as a safety recall. I am submitting this complaint so the issue can be evaluated based on objective safety criteria. A vehicle that routinely loses drivability and requires emergency stops on freeways warrants formal safety investigation.

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 resolve while driving and requires me to pull over, shut the vehicle off, and restart it to restore operation. This defect has occurred multiple times at freeway speeds, requiring me to pull over onto the highway shoulder due to loss of vehicle function. A vehicle that cannot reliably shift or accelerate at highway speed presents a clear safety hazard to the driver and surrounding traffic. Requiring a stop-and-restart is not a safe or reasonable mitigation strategy in real-world traffic conditions. The issue occurs more frequently when the vehicle is cold, indicating a predictable and repeatable failure mode, not driver error or misuse. I have had to alter normal driving behavior, including extended warm-up periods and avoiding highways, to reduce risk. I was informed by repair facilities that this is a known issue related to transmission control module (TCM) software, and that Chrysler has issued Technical Service Bulletin(s) describing TCM software updates to address abnormal shifting and drivability behavior. The existence of these TSBs demonstrates manufacturer knowledge of the failure mode and a defined corrective action, yet the issue has not been addressed as a safety recall. I am submitting this complaint so the issue can be evaluated based on objective safety criteria. A vehicle that routinely loses drivability and requires emergency stops on freeways warrants formal safety investigation.