2017 Ram 1500 Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control engaged and set to 70 MPH, the engine was misfiring and made abnormally loud sounds. Additionally, the vehicle started losing motive power. The message "Service DEF System - See Dealer" was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon opening the hood and lifting the engine cover, she noticed that the engine was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water bottles. There was no Fire or Police report filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25–30 MPH, the vehicle slowed down and stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were flickering. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
As many have mentioned already. I have had to have the passenger side exhaust manifold bolts replaced along with manifold due to heat warpage. Now at 88k the ticking from exhaust leak has returned. The same bolts have broken and dealer is now telling me that I have to replace the head due to the bolt not being able to be extracted. I feel as if the customer shouldn't be responsible for this known issue after purchasing an 60K truck at the time in 2017. 2 issue all with less than 90K and truck is not abused.
I purchased my truck used in November 2022. After I purchased the vehicle, about a day or two later my wife said she continues to heat a ticking sound coming from the engine bay area while idling. I started the vehicle up and heard the exact same sound. I subsequently took it to my mechanic for a diagnostic test and he said my truck and many many more come to him with the same problem and it is very common. The problem was defective exhaust manifold bolts that break off prematurely into the engine block leaving owners with a costly repair of $1200 or more depending on how many bolts are broken, if one side or both sides are damaged, and the difficulty of the repair. I had broken bolts on both sides of the engine. The manufacturer knew about this issue and failed to conduct a recall. My truck also failed the emissions test. Now Ram is preparing to discontinue the Hemi engine and replace it with the 6 cylinder Hurricane engines in future Ram light trucks.
The exhaust manifold bolts broke on my truck. There was a recall for this, but my VIN wasn’t included. However it’s the same problem as the recall
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred when starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head of the exhaust manifold bolt was fractured on both sides, causing hot fuel to leak onto the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Was driving slow on a county highway following a tractor. Got got a service message for electronic throttle system, followed by the check engine light, then a service message for def system see dealer. I then noticed smoke coming out of my vents and the truck started on fire.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. No information on parts availability was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
There was a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. Upon taking it to a service center is was diagnosed that 2 bolts from the passenger side exhaust manifold were sheared off due to the heat wrapping of the manifold. This happened a year before on the driver side which had 2 bolts as well sheared off from heat warping on the manifold. This is a common issue with most rams and should be a recall for faulty heat treated manifolds.
Both exhaust manifolds cracked around 55k miles to include pins. Causes exhaust to leak into the cab.
Noticeable engine noise experienced with my Ram 1500 Eco diesel. My local dealer diagnosed the noise to be coming from the high pressure fuel pump that there is an open recall on for over a year. Dealer cannot make repairs without the parts available. Looks to be they are now. Recall this is referenced too: 22V-406
The exhaust manifold bolts broke letting exhaust gases escape think that is dangerous
How did NHTSA miss this one? Engine exhaust manifold bolts broken leading to exhaust gases unknowingly getting into the cabin while driving which has also may be impacting my lungs. (I have a CT scan from MAYO to prove it.) This went on for at least 3 months. During long, 2 hours trips with the windows closed led to drowsiness. The problem was not only confirmed by the local Ram dealer but also confirmed this is a problem for all Ram vehicles using the 5.8 liter engine. These exhaust manifold bolts and gaskets should be replaced after so many miles or time. I had 95,000 miles on my truck when I brought it in for a tuneup. The service department then found the problem during their overall inspection. Frankly, ALL service departments should be doing the overall inspection first BEFORE any other scheduled maintenence. The only symptom was ticking on startup for about 10 seconds. Just search on youtube: Ram 5.8 liter engine ticking on startup OR replacing exhaust bolts. Youtube is FILLED with how to videos. The mechanic also stated this has been going on for years.
While idling in line at a fuel station, my vehicle suddenly started shuddering and quickly followed up with a strange squeak that sounded like metal on metal contact from the lower portion of the engine. This happened on June 5th 2023 around noon timeframe. I was able to pull the vehicle into a parking spot where I turned the engine off and called for a tow truck. There were no visible lights or codes stored during this period. After getting the vehicle home, I removed the oil filter and discovered metal flakes throughout the filter and oil system. The vehicle has just under 70k miles on it and has been maintained regularly with quality lubricants and filters. Thankfully I was not on the highway with my family to include two children under the age of 5. Chrysler/Fiat has been aware of engine failure issues on this particular engine and continues to ignore the fact that their power plant is faulty and continues to put owners and bystanders at risk.
RAM ENGINE FAILURE May 7, 2023 SUBJECT: Engine failure RAM 2017 ECO Diesel TO: whom it may concern: Tuesday April 25, 2023 while driving to Riverside California with my wife, daughter and two grandchildren in my 2017 ECO diesel, it began to overheat leading to my engine oil pressure immediately dropping to zero. The loss in performance and lack of drivability forced me to hastily veer off highway 91, on to Adams Street/Auto Center Drive. I immediately pulled to the side of the road and shut off my truck’s engine. After the panic subsided I called Redlands Dodge Redland and was redirected to MOSS BROS. Riverside, California. The history regarding my purchase of RAM eco diesel: I’m a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran who utilizes a service trained mobility dog. This was the primary reason for the purchase a RAM full size pickup truck that is licensed with military disability veteran plates and equipped with K-9 support equipment. See attached photos. I suffer from severe neural back injuries requiring both lower back and leg prosthesis. My service dog is the only way I’m able to be mobile and not bed ridden. My RAM truck is my chosen vehicle to allow me some resemblance of a normal life. At 73 year old, I depend on my RAM truck. Today I’m confronted with multiple recalls and premature engine failure on this truck which had been waiting for over a year to have corrections made to critical equipment defects which could result in fire, loss of vehicle control and possible vehicle crash endangering my life and the lives of my family. My RAM case number is GOOD-WILL # 86043416, The contact stated the first case appears to have gone unresolved and speaking with another specialist/mechanic from FCA would inspect my vehicle's engine and authorize it's repair/replacement.
Ram 5.7 hemi engine exhaust manifold leak ticking sound if it’s not fix or the bolt snap the smoke coming from the exhaust can be suck on the vent and can have a carbon monoxide poisoning inside the truck please I just found out that it’sbeen a known problem for dodge ram trucks and nothing is being done by the company to recall or fix such problem than you
On the 5.7liter Hemi engines the exhaust manifold bolts break into the block of the engine causing exhaust leak which can potentially get in the cab and cause injury or death. As well the heat shield bolts that cover the exhaust manifold break.
The plastic fan exploded and cut through the transmission lines causing the truck to stop moving and thousands of dollars in damage. While towing a 6500lb trailer, the fan was spinning at a high rate of speed when the plastic failed and broke apart in the engine bay causing damage to the paint, heat shield, and transmission lines. It was unknown that this occurred until the vehicle started to hesitate with the gas pedal until it no longer would drive. The vehicle and trailer were towed to Brandon Dodge on Broadway in Littleton Colorado where the service associate then told me the driver caused the fan to break!? Seems very unlikely that you could run over something that could fit up into the engine area and go into a high rate fan that blows into the engine bay and anything that did fit into that small opening would damage a fan so badly that all blades would break off. This issue had to be resolved by my insurance company as the warranty on the vehicle said they wouldn't fix it due to the service man's comments. The transmission had to be dropped and checked for damage and pan replaced, hoses replaced and new fan, which looks a different color/type to me was installed. The fan has been in the shop at 46k miles for noise and they replaced only the clutch.
This is my second Ram truck with this issue. My first truck was a 2014 1500 Big Horn and now I own a 2017 1500 Sport. The 2014 was in the shop 3 times for a manifold bolt breakage and the 2017 has been in the shop 2 times now for a manifold bolt break. This issue causes an annoying engine ticking sound that gets louder over time and causes a serious health risk to the passengers of the vehicle. Even the newly designed bolts that Mopar has been using still break. This has been ongoing for many years with the Hemi engines and should have a repair that will not fail by now.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the crankshaft sensor and the ECU were replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Dodge has failed to recognize an issue that is extremely prevelant in Americas Number one selling truck. The 2015-2020 models are all experiencing exhaust Manifold deformities/ Warpage that are causing the manifold bolts to snap at the engine resulting in the vehicle spewing untreated exhaust fumes both into the environment as well as the passenger compartment. They have redesigned the components but have not issued a recall. This is both an environmental issue as well as a health issue for the drivers. This is the number 1 selling truck in America so I cant imagine how much unfiltered exhaust is entering our environment from these vehicles. A simple google search of 5.7 hemi exhaust leak will show you how prevalent this issue is. Dodge's redesign of the manifolds is a clear indication that they admit the issue was a design flaw. It is both seriously detrimental to the environment as well as the passengers.
I just purchased my truck in November 2022 and noticed an audible ticking noise coming from the engine immediately after start-up. After having the vehicle inspected by an ASE mechanic, it was discovered that the manifold bolts had broken on each warped manifold which was likely causing the ticking sound. Because of the defective manifold bolts, this exhaust leak created a dangerous situation while the Hemi engine was running and possibly resulted in a failed emissions test required to obtain a license plate in metro Atlanta, GA.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that oil was leaking from the oil cooler. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the tone wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
When the truck is started, the engine knocks on the right side of the motor more.
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The 2017 Ram 1500 has 111 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.