I’m Losing Confidence In My 2017 RAM 1500 66K Miles In, I Have To Put In Between $7K-$11K To Fix It, and To Make Things Worse, Parts Are Over a Month Out

Is Your Ram a Money Pit?

A 2017 Ram 1500 owner hits a shocking repair wall at just 66,000 miles, sparking a crucial debate: Are these expensive, recurring issues bad luck, or a ticking time bomb for all high-mileage fifth-gen Ram owners?

Researching common maintenance issues for the 2017 Ram 1500, I stumbled upon a post from a frustrated owner on the Dodge Ram 1500 Owners Facebook page. With only 66,000 miles, this owner is facing a laundry list of recurring problems—from electrical glitches and failed exhaust manifold bolts to a slipping transmission —quoted at $6,600 to $11,000. This struggle raises a serious question about the truck's longevity: are these expensive failures common for the model, or is this owner simply unlucky?

A 2017 RAM owner on the Dodge Ram 1500 Owners Facebook page says,

"I'm starting to lose confidence in owning my 2017 Ram. With all the issues that have come up so far, and honestly, maybe it's my imagination, but the stories are similar to others once these trucks get higher miles."

Mine's only got 66,000 miles, and it's already had:

• Multiple electrical problems (backup camera works when it feels like it, infotainment screen glitches, and the windows randomly open/close)
• The exhaust manifold bolts and gaskets were replaced once, but they need to be replaced again.
• Just developed a transmission slip from 3rd to 4th

I've had quotes from five different shops (including two dealers) for the transmission, with prices ranging from $6,600 to $11,000. 

"And to make things worse, parts are over a month out. I was told by multiple shops that Mopar isn't trying very hard to keep up with transmission production. I'm thinking about getting rid of it, but I wanted to hear from others what your experience with your trucks has been. Am I just unlucky, or are these problems more common than they should be at this mileage?"

The Transmission Time Bomb and Expensive Quotes

The most immediate concern for any truck owner is a major powertrain failure, and the reported 2017 Ram 1500 transmission slip from 3rd to 4th repair cost is staggering. Quotes ranging from $6,600 to $11,000 indicate that shops anticipate a full replacement or a complex rebuild, likely of the valve body or clutch packs. 

This isn't just a physical failure; it's a failure of confidence. The fact that this specific owner is seeing prices from five different shops tells me they've already done their due diligence. This frustration echoes reports we covered in the piece, I Just Traded My 2025 Ram 10K In With Major Electrical Issues, For This 2023 Ford F-150 With 38K Miles, I Think the Older F-150 Is a More Reliable Truck, demonstrating that electrical refinement—or the lack thereof—is a consistent sticking point for the Ram brand, spanning different generations and mileage counts.

The Hemi's Recurring Flaw

When it comes to the 5.7L Hemi, the recurring Ram 1500 exhaust manifold bolt replacement is not a sign of bad luck; it's a design flaw that has plagued these engines for over a decade. The bolts are prone to breaking due to the expansion and contraction cycles of the cast iron manifolds and the aluminum cylinder heads. This often leads to an exhaust leak, which sounds like a ticking noise—a clear signal that the manifold gaskets need to be replaced again, as the owner reports. 

I know many readers who've faced this exact issue. In my article, "As a GMC Sierra Guy, It Hurts to Say It, But I'm Done with GM, and Now I'm Conflicted Between the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra", I noted that while the Hemi offers power, it comes with well-known long-term concerns, and the manifold bolts are chief among them.

Parts Availability and Dealership Service

Here is where my expertise comes into play: the frustration of a long repair wait time. The mention that "Mopar isn't trying very hard to keep up with transmission production" and the estimate that Mopar transmission parts delays and availability exceed a month are systemic problems we've tracked across the industry since 2020. 

While the specific components might vary, the supply chain crunch is real, and it affects owner confidence, especially when facing a high bill. This situation mirrors the larger service environment we discussed in the context of high dealership quotes, such as the one referenced in my reporting, "Chevy Dealer Quoted Me $799 For My Silverado Transmission Service, That's Outrageous, But I Bit the Bullet and Had Them Do It Anyway If It Craps Out Later."

Diagnosing Electrical Gremlins

The electrical gremlins complete the trifecta of issues: a backup camera that intermittently fails, a glitching infotainment screen, and windows that randomly act up. When diagnosing intermittent electrical problems in the Ram 1500, they can often be traced back to grounds, harness routing, or the Body Control Module (BCM). 

The intermittent nature makes them incredibly frustrating for both the owner and the technician, as they are hard to replicate. It's not uncommon for these models to have electrical system recalls; in fact, we covered a related issue in the piece, "Ram is Recalling more Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 Trucks for Gear Shift Failures", which affected 2017 models. This is a reminder that when you see the pattern of why does my Ram 1500 infotainment screen glitch alongside other module failures, it's often a sign of a deeper, systemic power or communication issue.

My Recommendation for Longevity

If you're looking for the best advice for high-mileage 5th-gen Ram owners, my recommendation is to be proactive and strategic. The transmission slip should be addressed by a transmission specialist, not necessarily a dealer, as the independent shops often have better access to remanufactured units or a dedicated repair process that can be more cost-effective than the dealer's "replace-only" mentality. For the manifold bolts, switch to high-quality, aftermarket stainless steel bolts and thicker gaskets (like those from a reputable brand like ARP) to prevent the recurring issue. 

This is a complete solution, not a band-aid. The ultimate question for this owner and others facing is, 66,000 miles considered high mileage for a 2017 Ram 1500? It is whether they have the appetite for the inevitable cost and downtime. Sometimes, selling a vehicle before the $11,000 repair becomes necessary is the best financial move.

Key Takeaways for Ram Owners

• Proactive Manifold Fix: Don't wait for the tick. Have your technician install stainless steel exhaust manifold bolts to fix the Hemi's weak point permanently.
• Specialist vs. Dealer: For major transmission issues, prioritize a local, reputable transmission shop over the dealership for a more repair-focused solution (and potentially faster/cheaper).
• Electrical Checklist: Address battery, ground straps, and fuse box connections first. Many "ghost" electrical issues stem from simple power delivery problems before you blame the BCM.
• Calculate TCO: Factor in the recurring costs of common maintenance issues for the 2017 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi when deciding whether to keep or sell your truck.

What Ram Owners Are Saying

Morgan Renee - I have a 2017. I've driven it since 22k miles in 2019. I'm at 118k and still going strong. I didn't start dumping money until after 100k miles, and even then, it's only been a couple grand. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Very, very well-maintained truck with zero rust still!

Jordan Zumbo - Went from a 02 Dodge Dakota with the 3.9L to a 14 Ram with the 5.7L. Definitely been missing my Dakota over the past year I've owned my Ram. I've had to dump so much money into it between basic maintenance and some dumb stuff. Almost traded it back in, but decided to take a gamble on it, which I'm realizing was dumb, but now that it's fixed, it's been alright. Not sure if I'd buy another one though. My Dakota was a way better truck overall. The Dakota definitely handled a lot more abuse. I'm at 162k with my RAM right now.

Conclusion

The 2017 Ram 1500 owner's experience at 66,000 miles highlights a confluence of known engineering challenges and a frustrating post-sales support environment, making the decision to keep the truck a challenging financial calculation. At the same time, the Hemi has proven weaknesses that can be addressed with smart aftermarket parts, transmission failures, coupled with Mopar transmission parts delays and availability issues, demand that owners weigh the high cost of continued ownership against the peace of mind offered by a newer or different vehicle.

Tell Us What You Think

If you own a 2017-2018 Ram 1500, what is the highest-mileage issue you have successfully fixed, and what was your total out-of-pocket cost for the repair? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role for every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles—equipping me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via RAM 1500 Facebook