8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,940
Average Mileage:
83,550 miles
Total Complaints:
37 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (19 reports)
  2. replace steering rack (14 reports)
  3. not been fixed (3 reports)
  4. replace the alternator (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ram dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Nov 192021

1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,500 miles

they said control module was bad but need to replace whole thing. Not covered under warranty, Will not work when temp get below 20 degrees part on backorder I need it in winter not just summer weather

- dude1959, Reedsburg, US

problem #16

Jul 312021

1500 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

click to see larger images

power steering failure

Similar to the other 6 pages of complaints. Unexplained power steering failure.

- Todd S., Crossville, US

problem #15

Aug 282020

1500 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,476 miles

2014 Ram has had more recalls than oil changes. Steering went out after only 21,400 miles. After checking for a place to check the power steering fluid found out it had electronic power steering. Had to have it towed to dealership to find out rack and pinion needs to be replaced for over $2,600. While there found out there were two more recalls on the Dodge that needed to be taken care of. Chrysler needs to step up and include 2014 in their recall list.

- Robert W., Waco, US

problem #14

Aug 312020

1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

Our 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 has experienced the same power steering failure reported in the recall of the 2015 and 2016 models. It began as an intermittent and quickly became undriveable due to very dangerous conditions without steering ability.

Our Dodge dealer informed us it would cost $2,450 to replace the entire steering rack as the only means to fix the problem. It is obviously out of warranty, but as a 6 year old truck with under 100,000 miles should not require such a costly repair.

We submitted a BBB complaint to the Fiat Chrysler, who has just reiterated that it is not under warranty and the part in our 2014 is not covered under the recalls of the 2015 and 2016.

I am curious what happened with the other 2014's that were reported here with a similar issue.

- njramownerjoek, Montclair, US

problem #13

Sep 012020

1500 Big Horn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

When driving the vehicle an indicator light that says "check power steering" comes on and the power steering fails. When the power steering goes out this could be serious safety issue. It is apparently caused by a defective electric circuit board located in the rack and pinion steering portion. This is a known issue. from what I understand , Dodge has recalled the 2015 models for this same issue. It does not make sense to me that they do not recall this on the earlier models. If the power steering goes out unexpectedly while making a or when you need to make a turn it could easily cause a crash. I would not be surprised if it has not already caused accidents.

The second thing is the cost. To replace the whole rack and pinion assembly is about $2500.00 at the dealer. I believe it could be made more serviceable to keep the costs down by designing it where the components could be replaced without having to replace the whole rack and pinion.

- Larry H., Terry, MS, US

problem #12

Jun 122021

1500 REG CAB Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

This is beyond revolting. We bought this truck, new, and babied the hell out of it since 2014. It has barely over 34K miles on it!!! And, yes, the number of recalls on this truck is disturbing... and, Greenway Dodge royally screwed up one of the recalls, concerning the gate that wouldn't shut.

So, consider this, since 2014:

A new 4dr Jeep Chieftain was leased A new Jeep Grand Cherokee was just leased two weekends ago All repairs, oil changes, recalls on the truck done at Greenway

...and, they STILL refuse to acknowledge that the power steering (rack & pinion) NEVER should've gone out on a truck with 34K miles on it.

I'm currently in the process of finding out who the top executive is at Greenway Dodge. They need to step up and fix this for the miles on the truck, alone.....nevermind the amount of business we've given them over the past 6yrs. So, far they haven't even TRIED to at least meet us somewhere in the middle on this issue. Still waiting on a reply from the dealership, and how they intent to treat us on this issue as of this post....

Update from Jun 15, 2021: I mentioned the number of recalls on this truck. However, I wasn't aware of just how many people are having the same issue, not just with the RAM trucks but other Dodge models. But, I've found several on the Ram 1500 here, doing the exact same thing... power steering goes out, making the truck nearly impossible to steer, with the power steering light coming on. So, it's a known issue... BEYOND unacceptable.

- John L., Orlando, FL, US

problem #11

Nov 022020

1500 Big Horn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

I have never even had my truck off road and bought it new. The EPS is getting very hard to turn. Taking it to a dealer this week to determine the cause. I see some big costs to repair in other complaints. I take very good care of this truck and am wondering if I should ever buy another Ram, this is my third one. I like it for the most part but this is unacceptable. the steering should last longer than this!! They have so many complaints on this issue that they need a recall or cover the repair costs, very bad for Ram not to address this issue and will most likely loose business over this.

- Rick P., Ellwood City, US

problem #10

Mar 222019

1500 Tradesman 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

A truck that is only 4 1/2 years old, excellently maintained, should NOT have a complete steering failure. There must be something systemic with this model based on the number of failures I am reading about.

- Bill R., Highland, UT, US

problem #9

Jan 302019

1500 Outdoorsman 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,800 miles

Failure caused by electronic power steering rack caused vehicle to go into the ditch. Vehicle sustained damage and is at a body repair shop

- John J., Circle Pines, US

problem #8

Jan 282019

1500 LX 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

I went to work at 4am on a snowy day.. made a 90 degree turn to the right and all the sudden the steering wheel jerked back to the left....wow! I thought it was ice...drove ahead on the autobahn in Germany and did not think anything of it. I then made it to work and drove around the circle and turned again to the right and the steering wheel again jerked in the opposite direction...crazy...I held if strong and it finally released and I made the turn.

I went maybe 500 yards to our company parking lot...it was empty so I turned left and right while applying gas...nothing...

I then put the truck i reverse and backed into my parking space, no problems yet, Didi I imagine it? I turned the wheel while in park to the left all the way, and it immediately jerked back right....it let up and I turned all the way right and it immediately jerked back left...hmmmm....something odd...

I took it to Chrysler Jepp in Germany...they said hmm..maybe EPS system and we replace it for 3000 euros (4000 US dollars)...

I asked for the code =DTC C2129-17 Battery Voltage -= Circuit Voltage above threshold....? Voltage from where? how=? what is happening? NOBODY knows....but give us 3k? My understanding of EPS is ...if the voltage is higher or lower this is the first thing affected because it travels back through the electronic system. (RAM) please tell me I'm wrong after so many RAM mechanics said I'm right and the next thing to check is the PCM? (changed the battery by the way by 3 other shops (BMW, Mercedes, Jeep/Chrysler) and no issue there)

The question is...what the f*ck is going on and what happens when It locks up on the autobahn and kills 100 people?

IS RAM or FIAT/CHRYSLER - NOT GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE TILL SOMEONE DIES????

this car is now at a RAM place for further inspection....unreal and unsatisfactory...I dont have 4k to fix THEIR faulty part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- jbrummund, Würzburg, Germany

problem #7

Aug 252018

1500 SLT 5.7L 8v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

click to see larger images

power steering failure

Power steering failure- while turning, while going in reverse, and while driving. It started happening while reversing and making turns, but as I was driving in the highway steering wheel became very hard as I was switching lanes and jolted. Shortly after, I stopped at a stop sign and as I was going to turn the steering wheel became stiff/hard, and I couldn't move the vehicle at all. A red light came on with a red exclamation point and the steering wheel sign and a message that said Service Power Steering. Now my steering wheel is hard to turn at a surprise I have an appt. At the dealership, next week to see what is happening. I will update but this problem is a big safety issue that needs to be dealt with. No surprise that the 2015 model has a recall for a power steering wheel failure, how come this one does not have the same recall with many have had that problem?

Update from Aug 29, 2022: So, the problems was the power steering problem and I had to get it replace with a new one. That was the only solutions provided by the dealership. It was a costly job and I am very dissapointed that Ram as yet to do a recall for this year. Be aware if you purchase this vehicle/year/model you might be disappointed to see your power steering give out. Oh and no warranty available to help cover cost. 4k+ to fix

- versa, Clute, US

problem #6

Jun 302018

1500 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

First Dodge I have every owned and now most likely my last.. $2500.00 after 125k miles. Where is the dependability in that? Don't feel real safe letting my kid drive a truck that might lose power steering going down the road. Trying to decide weather to trade vehicle tomorrow or repair and replace it.

- Frank P., Sioux City, US

problem #5

May 182018

1500 Laramie 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

The EPS cut out when I was driving on the highway, and rushed to the field beside the highway, luckily not big crash.

I parked there for about 10 minutes, and then restarted the engine, the EPS worked again, drove for about 20 minutes, the EPS cut off again, parked then drove, the issue happens intermittently.

Took the truck to the dealer and they said we have to replace the whole power steering rack and it is not covered by warranty.

Any one could provide some idea, the dealer will charge more than $3,500 Canadian dollars, that's too much.

- J W., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada

problem #4

Dec 062017

1500 Laramie 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,429 miles

I have a 2014 Ram 1500 in which I have intermittent power steering loss. It started the day it got cold and seems to be when it is cold. When the truck starts the steering wheel symbol is on and there is no power steering, after a while and turning on and off the truck the power steering starts working and the steering wheel symbol on the dash turns off.

I am taking it to the dealer today.

- Hugo M., Prairieville, LA, US

problem #3

Feb 252017

1500 Outdoorsman 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

Power steering control module has failed 8 times now on startup during cold weather. It is getting progressively worse. At first the temperature had to be below zero. Now it is doing it at almost 20 degrees above. The dealership has verified the failure code in the system, and has indicated that they have seen this problem before on 2013 and 2014 RAM 1500's with the electric power steering. RAM refuses to pay to fix the problem under warranty unless the power steering fails completely.

The NHTSA site shows complaints where the power steering failed while driving and caused a crash. I have been lucky that the cold weather is causing the defect to manifest itself before it fails while I am driving. The dealership indicated that RAM used to replace these when this happened, but now they have "tightened down" on warranty work in and effort to save money. I've talked with 3 different mechanics (including the dealer, who has experience with the problem) and all indicated that the unit will eventually fail. I have spoken with RAM customer service and they acknowledge that it is a safety issue, but they refuse to cover the repair.

Bottom line is, this is a problem that RAM has seem before, and they are aware of the defect in the power steering control module. And yet they refuse to address it, putting a few dollars of warranty work ahead of the safety of their customers and the public.

- Jim O., north reading, MA, US

problem #2

Sep 292015

1500 Express 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,200 miles

Truck is only 6 months old with 14200 miles. Little young to have a major steering issue occur.

- David R., Krum, TX, US

problem #1

Jul 082015

1500 ST Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,041 miles

While driving on highway about 65 miles per hour I lost capability to control of steering for abou 20 seconds this has happened about 3 times it just about rolled over before I gained control

- Thomas M., Orlando, FL, US