What 301 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 3500

The contact owns a 2017 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes activated, and the vehicle slid and crashed into a deer. The contact stated that the deer appeared instantly. The brake pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to stop, and the vehicle crashed into the deer. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred two times, and each time the contact's vehicle crashed into a deer. The contact stated that each time the deer appeared so fast. In addition, the contact stated that the area in which the contact resides was highly populated with deer. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for damage repairs to the exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed HCU module. The contact was informed that the HCU module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer ordered the parts two years ago. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order and the parts were not available. The contact received a recall notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and provide a diagnostic fee. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11704470

Needed to use brakes but unexpectedly the pedal did not work or stop the vehicle. Had to swerve into a ditch to avoid a collision with another vehicle. Abs, traction lights then activated.

NHTSA ODI 11634296

On December 14th, I was driving my 2017 Ram 3500 with 95,000 miles down the road when I encountered a tree completely blocking the roadway. When I applied the brakes I heard a pop and the brake pedal went the the floor. At this point I had no brakes and was forced to hit the tree. Thankfully it was in a rural area and no one was killed because of the failure. My safety was defiantly put at risk because of this failure. Once stopped I was able to look under the hood and found the top bolt that holds the brake master cylinder to the firewall sheared completely off. This caused the brake master cylinder to fall away from the firewall and disabled all braking functions. I had the vehicle towed to a Ram Dealer and then contacted Ram (Stellantis) for a reason and solution to fix the failure. They sent an engineering analysis associate to look at the the truck finally on the January 9th. They then sent a very generic letter on the 12th stating that they don't believe it is a manufacturing issue. They will give the dealer or myself no further information on what they found, what the cause was, or how the dealer should proceed to fix the problem. The vehicle is still currently sitting at the Ram Dealer and has not been fixed if you would like to inspect it. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior problems associated with this failure. It was a sudden and catastrophic failure of the braking system.

NHTSA ODI 11501596

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH, THEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND ENGINE WAS AT MAX RPM AND COULD NOT SHUT ENGINE OFF. CONSUMER COULD NOT STEER BACK ON THE ROAD. TRUCK FINALLY STOPPED AFTER 5 TO 6 TIMES AFTER REVVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE FRONT END DAMAGE AND TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *DT*JB *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11208061