2017 Ram Promaster: Problems & Reliability
TOO FEW REPORTS2017 Ram ProMaster: TOO FEW REPORTS — 76 owner complaints; top issue: engine (27 complaints).
The verdict engine has only 0 complaints for the 2017 — under the 15-complaint floor — so it is not rated yet rather than called clean by silence.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
76
NHTSA complaints
12
Model years compared
327
Service bulletins
10
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2017 Ram ProMaster problems
Engine is the clear leader, named in 36% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2017 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 36% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 32% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 14 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 11% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2017 Ram ProMaster recalls
10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2017, reported between Dec 16, 2016 and Oct 15, 2020.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V582000 | Oct 15, 2020 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift |
| 20V036000 | Jan 23, 2020 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift |
| 19V818000 | Nov 15, 2019 | Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner |
| 19V333000 | Apr 29, 2019 | Seats |
| 19V313000 | Apr 18, 2019 | Seats |
| 19V332000 | Mar 1, 2019 | Seats |
| 17V824000 | Dec 21, 2017 | Equipment |
| 17V786000 | Dec 8, 2017 | Equipment |
| 17V273000 | Apr 25, 2017 | Equipment › Other › Labels |
| 16V910000 | Dec 16, 2016 | Air bags › Frontal |
2017 Ram ProMaster service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 327 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2017 — more than the 231 of the median ProMaster year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover engine & cooling (52), powertrain / transmission (50), structure (50). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2017 vs. the year before and after
From the 2016 to the 2017, owner complaints held roughly level (71 → 76). The 2018 that followed fell by more than half (76 → 38), so the 2018 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 ProMaster | CAUTION | 71 | 363 | 15 | — |
| 2017 (this page) | TOO FEW REPORTS | 76 | 327 | 10 | — |
| 2018 ProMaster | SOLID | 38 | 324 | 10 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ram ProMaster years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2017 Ram ProMaster
Engine (27 complaints on the 2017): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Electrical system (24 complaints on the 2017): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Powertrain / transmission (14 complaints on the 2017): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Exterior lighting (8 complaints on the 2017): check low and high beams, brake lights and turn signals, and look for condensation inside the housings.
Visibility / wipers (5 complaints on the 2017): test the wipers at every speed, the washers, defrosters and the climate system.
Recalls: confirm all 10 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2017 Ram Promaster — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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Found a 2017 Ram Promaster for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
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FAQ
Is the 2017 Ram ProMaster reliable?
2017 Ram ProMaster: TOO FEW REPORTS — 76 owner complaints; top issue: engine (27 complaints). The verdict engine has only 0 complaints for the 2017 — under the 15-complaint floor — so it is not rated yet rather than called clean by silence.
What are the most common 2017 Ram ProMaster problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2017 Ram ProMaster are engine (27, 36%), electrical system (24, 32%), powertrain / transmission (14, 18%). The manufacturer has 327 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ram ProMaster have?
10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2017 Ram ProMaster, most recently 20V582000 (Oct 15, 2020, powertrain / transmission); 20V036000 (Jan 23, 2020, powertrain / transmission); 19V818000 (Nov 15, 2019, equipment). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2017 Ram Promaster before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2017 Ram ProMaster come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.