2017 Ram 1500
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, FFV, Midgrade Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 13 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 23% better than the average 2017 standard pickup truck (18.7 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Ram 1500 is a standard pickup truck offered with 3 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 23% better than the 2017 standard pickup truck average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 13 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 884 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2017
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 1500 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 1500 →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 2WD Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | +23% | $4,150 | 448 |
| 1500 4WD Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | +24% | $4,350 | 465 |
| 1500 2WD FFV | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | +7% | $3,350 | 450 |
| 1500 4WD FFV | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | +7% | $3,550 | 475 |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -9% | $4,450 | 512 |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -4% | $4,450 | 527 |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $5,050 | 580 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Ram 1500.
Similar 2017 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Ram 1500 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2017 Ford F-150 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 17 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Silverado | 20 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2017 Toyota Tundra | 16 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2017 Nissan Titan | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 GMC Sierra | 20 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2017 Roush Performance F150 | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (13)
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator · Jan 16, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V010000 · 6,066 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 8, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V411000 · 80,629 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jun 9, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V406000 · 138,645 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
- Risk
- Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator · Aug 12, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V632000 · 212,373 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- Risk
- A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel · Aug 13, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V475000 · 58,016 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) · Oct 24, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V757000 · 107,980 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
- Risk
- Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch · May 9, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V347000 · 1,103,209 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
- Risk
- If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch · Jul 27, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V486000 · 1,149,223 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
- Risk
- If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U74.
Electrical System › Software · May 17, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
- 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 transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Feb 8, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V100000 · 180,462 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 in the ignition.
- 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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift · Dec 20, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V821000 · 1,482,874 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Jul 7, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V434000 · 4 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Ram 1500 trucks. The fuel tanks in the affected vehicles may have a broken fuel tank control valve which might leak fuel if the vehicle were to become inverted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
- Risk
- In the event of a rollover crash, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T45.
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit · Mar 23, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V198000 · 30 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 1500 trucks. The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up.
- Risk
- A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T20.
Not every 2017 Ram 1500 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Ram 1500 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 226 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 156 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 106 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Ram 1500. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 1500 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 1500 | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 1500 | 22 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 9 | 103 |
| 2025 1500 | 23 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 8 | 365 |
| 2024 1500 | 23 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 77 |
| 2023 1500 | 24 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 11 | 203 |
| 2022 1500 | 26 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 16 | 631 |
| 2021 1500 | 26 | 233.1 in | ★★★★★ | 15 | 683 |
| 2020 1500 | 26 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 14 | 640 |
| 2019 1500 | 23 | 233.1 in | Not rated | 29 | 1,494 |
| 2018 1500 | 23 | – | Not rated | 15 | 667 |
| 2016 1500 | 24 | – | Not rated | 16 | 1,554 |
| 2015 1500 | 24 | – | Not rated | 17 | 1,459 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ram. How we calculate this →