RoadVitals

2017 RAM 3500 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Jan 8, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 304 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 RAM 3500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from Facebook. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 234,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 380,000. A Police report was filed.

NHTSA ID
11709698
Incident
Jan 8, 2026
Mileage
380,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 1, 2025

FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE (ABM). FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU). BOTH HAVE FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED *TWICE* AT DEALERSHIP IN UNDER 40,000 MILES. WARNING LIGHT AND AUDIBLE WARNING INDICATED PROBLEM. BRAKE RESPONSE DANGEROUSLY INADEQUATE. THIS PROBLEM IS UNDER NHTSA 24V-896 / FCA C4B. HOWEVER THIS VIN APPARENTLY EXCLUDED AND/OR NOT RECOGNIZED AS INCLUDED IN RECALL BY FCA/NHTSA. THIS IS IN ERROR AND MUST BE REMEDIATED.

NHTSA ID
11645725
Incident
Dec 20, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 23, 2025

The cruise control stop working and we received a service electronic braking system warning and the trailer brakes stopped working

NHTSA ID
11644434
Incident
Feb 23, 2025
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 4, 2024

ABS light goes on and off constantly, cruse control will not work. Truck has 29,000 mikes and has been doing this for 3 years

NHTSA ID
11628804
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 22, 2024

The abs and traction control lights flash on and off. They also have remained off and the back on for while. Happens a lot during summer and when driving for a while. While on cruise control and the lights comes sudden loss of power and agrressive engine slow down causing the vehicle to shake. Has happen multiple times.

NHTSA ID
11621257
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 20, 2024

On two separate occasions I had total brake loss , the truck has under 21,000 miles on it and while driving and trying to stop I have total brake loss , today I almost rear end a car due to the failure, luckily for them I have relatively good reflexes and I don’t panic , if either of those were not true I possibly could of killed the two occupants of the car in front of me , I was traveling approximately 70 miles an hour on the interstate had had to apply my brakes. When I did I had absolutely no brakes at all, no idiot lights or anything warning me of the problem, this was the second time this occurred , the first time I was on my way home at night and went to stop at a stop sign at an intersection and again total brake loss , both these times I limped home , hoping I would make it home safely. This needs to be investigated before some dies

NHTSA ID
11615707
Incident
Sep 20, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 28, 2024

Abs and traction control lights come on, simultaneously canceling cruise control. Vehicle speed immediately slows, and traffic behind me catches up quickly as it takes a few seconds to react and get the vehicle back up to speed. Also, no abs in wet condition, etc. Bumps in the road cause the system to go out and come back on. It's become such a problem that I've had to pull the fuse for abs, which means no more cruise control. But also activates the red brake warning light. So if another problem comes up, I won't know as the brake light is already on.

NHTSA ID
11604949
Incident
May 17, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 4, 2024

I've been waiting for replacement parts for Technical Service Bulletin S2005000004 for over 8 months. It's my understanding from the dealer I visited that I could have a complete failure of electronics and/or brakes. Many warning lights and warning messages are displayed on the dashboard. Dodge has not issued a recall. I've been towing an 18,000lb RV around the country off and on for a number of years and was never made aware of this danger.

NHTSA ID
11592429
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 3, 2024

The anti lock brake controller is failing and keeps the traction controller and cruise control from working properly.

NHTSA ID
11581050
Incident
Apr 3, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 28, 2024

issue with reoccurring Electronic Brake System Failure message along with ABS and Stability Control faults. This is now the third time this error has appeared. Twice they replaced both the ABS controller and hydraulic unit.

NHTSA ID
11580010
Incident
Feb 17, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 21, 2024

The ABS and traction control lights keep chiming and flashing. This condition disables the cruise control as well and possibly the 4WD system. Parts aren’t available at this time from the dealership and after doing research, this seems to be a very common problem with the 2017-2018 Ram 2500/3500 models.

NHTSA ID
11566765
Incident
Jan 10, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 8, 2024

ABS control module has failed part number 68347098AA this part has been on back order for over a year dealers do not have a firm date on the delivery, This is a safety issue that dealers can not repair.

NHTSA ID
11564289
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 6, 2023

ABS control module has been back order since June 2023. Abs light flashes and bing on regular bases. Cruise will not work when the ABS light is on. I’ve been on a wait list since June 2023, truck is very annoying trying to drive with constant binging. Towing my 5th wheel is very concerning with on going ABS module problems.

NHTSA ID
11558868
Incident
May 17, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Dec 5, 2023

Random occurrences of an audible bell along with error messages stating, "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service Antilock Brake System" flash momentarily on the dash. They may also stay on for prolonged periods of time. Cruise control is inoperable when the error messages flash, or stay on. The ABS trouble indicator light is also on during these events. The abrupt cancellation of cruise control in traffic is dangerous, especially when towing a trailer. The problem started (for me) just after purchasing the vehicle, used, with 27,428 miles on March 9, 2023. I suspect the pervious owner traded this vehicle on another vehicle because of this problem. I tried to get out of the purchase of this truck because of this problem. Dealer would not allow that without much expense on my end. So, I'm stuck with the problem. It has the potential to be very dangerous. Luckily, I had purchased an extended warranty but the dealer said I needed to wait a month or so before I took the vehicle to a Ram service center so the warranty would be fully established. I purchased the vehicle for pulling purposes and I do that regularly. In the similar cases I have read about, the owners say that the dealers are not helpful and the vehicle has to be kept for long periods of time for evaluation. I have not had time to get it properly diagnosed yet but the problem is exactly like the many others cases I have read about.

NHTSA ID
11558613
Incident
Mar 9, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 15, 2023

Service Electronic Braking System and Service Anit-Lock Braking System alarm lights. Code C0020-01 ABS Pump Motor Control- General Electric Failure. This issue is related to Anti-Lock braking that can cause injury to my safety and family safety. Problem is very well know and fully reproducible at dealers. Vehicle has been at dealer for long term waiting for dealer to find/repair issue .Dealer is at loss for repair. Dealer repair for this was change HCU and ABS Module. This repair has shown to not work in many scenarios and multiple repair and replace of the same units are not fixing the issues.

NHTSA ID
11555362
Incident
Sep 5, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 15, 2023

While driving the vehicles message display center says "service emergency braking system", the traction control indication light turns on and off, the abs indicator light turns on and off, the park sense indicators turn on and off, and if cruise control is on it is deactivated and turns on and off. An audible chime indication is also sounded when the message center displays a message. With the traction control and abs turning on and off creates an extreme safety problem especially with the winter months ahead. The vehicle has not yet been looked at by a anyone but an appointment has been made with the local dealership. This first started while driving on 11/11/2023. However, the indicator lights and chime still occur while the vehicle is in park and motor running.

NHTSA ID
11555233
Incident
Nov 11, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 16, 2023

When I hit a bump my ABS warning light and my traction control light come on on the dash. My cruise control stops working. Had it scanned and there is an error code C0020-01-ABS PUMP MOTOR CONTROL - motor pump (open recirculation test). - internal electronic failure. It comes on and off more often when hitting a bump. This is apparently common and should be a recall.

NHTSA ID
11550090
Incident
Oct 6, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 28, 2023

On 32600miles abs and traction control start glitching. Happened to me on the highway pulling a rv and using cruise control, all of the sudden I lost cruise control on 70 mph and ABS with traction lights came on and off several times and end up go away, I stopped in the safe area and check all related parts on the vehicle that related brakes and abs, fluid was up to level all parts, brakes, wiring was good where I was able to see. After I continued to drive, abs did same thing several times, end up abs and traction lights came on and stayed for a while and all of the sudden for no reason came off for several miles. Sims like bad connection or abs module failure.

NHTSA ID
11547025
Incident
Sep 21, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 16, 2023

ABS and traction control. Is available for inspection. Loss of these functions increases the risk for loss of control. Has been inspected by the dealer. Parts to fix are in high demand and are not available until March of 2024. Warning lamps ABS and the traction control laps are on. First appeared in August 2023.

NHTSA ID
11544866
Incident
Aug 11, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 14, 2023

Truck spun out with my baby in the back seat due to not have abs or traction control due to a abs and hcu failure.

NHTSA ID
11538519
Incident
Jul 20, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 14, 2023

The traction control and ABS warning lights come on and go off intermittently without cause. When the lights are on, anti lock braking and cruise control are non functional. The ABS portion of this issue is an extreme safety hazard. This is a known common issue of this year vehicle

NHTSA ID
11538488
Incident
Aug 6, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 20, 2023

ABS warning has been going on and off for 2 years This is the same problem that the current class action lawsuits make reference to. I have had this problem for a long time and parts to repair it have not been available. Recently my wife ran into a bullard in a wet parking lot that she felt was a result of the antilock brake system. I only use the truck when it is absolutely necessary due to this problem. It scares me to think that I might not be able to stop this heavy vehicle. I hope this gets resolved soon.

NHTSA ID
11533545
Incident
Jul 15, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 11, 2023

The ABS and Electronic breaking lights keep go on and off each time it does it it turns off the cruise control

NHTSA ID
11526441
Incident
May 4, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 1, 2023

ABS Pump Motor Control electrical failure. Bad ABS pump and module.

NHTSA ID
11524756
Incident
Oct 31, 2022
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 2, 2021

Front turn signals, driver side headlight, passenger side fog light all went out at the same time. Tested bulbs and all are good. Message on dash said they were out and yes they were. Checked grounds all good. Found the big plug under fuse box moved it around and lights came back on. Connectors are very lose in the plug we will we need to change harness?

NHTSA ID
11423208
Incident
Jun 28, 2021

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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