10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 26,686 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Power steering fails as the -?? Service Power Steering-?? & the steering wheel with exclamation mark lights up. It-??s most common during temperatures of 70 degrees or less. Power steering comes back after engine is warmed up for approximately 5 minutes before needing to drive it.
- Stuart, FL, USA
Electric Power Steering has stopped working completely. A service Power steering warning has popped up on the dashboard.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Service Power Steering Unit" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
- Douglas, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while in reverse (R) and moving at approximately 4 MPH, the steering wheel had frozen, and he was not able to turn the wheel. The contact stated that he had crashed into his other vehicle. The contact stated that the front end of the other vehicle was not damaged; however, the vehicle he was driving in had damage to the bumper and tailgate. The contact stated that the traction warning light had illuminated after the crash. The contact stated that his insurance company had the vehicle towed to a collision shop. The contact was advised by the collision shop that, before he could get the collision damage repaired, the power steering failure needed to be repaired. The contact stated that he had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist had failed, and he needed to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer, however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to an open NHTSA Action Number: RQ23003 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
- E Landsdowne, PA, USA
Steering wheel locks up when cold
- Deerpark , NY, USA
Service power steering light comes on and steering wheel doesn-??t move when car is cold. Turn car off and restart and is fine with no lights.
- Deerpark , NY, USA
I was attempting to make a left hand turn when my power steering failed. Continued to be out for several more minutes of driving and then it restored itself. Has not been a problem while driving the vehicle today.
- Janesville, WI, USA
Power steering seems to have a defect. There have been other Dodge Rams affected by a power steering recall. When we called our local Dodge service provider they stated that our VIN was not affected by this recall, but there is definitely something wrong with our power steering. It-??s very difficult to turn the vehicle and doesn-??t seem safe to drive.
- Portage , WI, USA
Loss of steering, good this I parked and back up and loss power
- Schaller, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to drive to exit the residence, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact researched and was became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Brick, NJ, USA
I was getting ready to leave for work and was unable to because my steering wheel was completely locked up. Red steering wheel light flashing and message saying service power steering. The issue seems to fall under the recall on a limited number of RAM 1500s for the faulty EPS system, however mine was not included in that recall for some reason. I-??m thankful I never left my driveway and it didn-??t happen while driving because that would put myself and others in danger or even worse my children in danger as they ride in this truck with me on a daily basis. Chrysler needs to make this right and recall and fix the issue with the steering. I have read through countless complaints of the same issue.
- Henderson, KY, USA
I have a 2016 ram 1500 with 25,000 miles on it. the electronic steering went out on me and almost caused me to wreck into other traffic. they do have some 2016 ram trucks that have recalls on contaminated steering issues but mine did not qualify. after doing research it seems many other owners are in the same situation with the steering going out for no reason. I took the truck to the dealer and had recalls done to it but the steering was not on my trucks recall list. The issue is a danger and could have caused a really bad highway accident due to the steering going out. I think this issue needs to be told before more highway accidents or fatalities happen before this issue is addressed. Thanks
- Thibodaux, LA, USA
On [XXX] the power steering icon on my dash turned on. I was parked at post office and had to call tow truck as I could not turn the wheel. I was fortunate that I was not driving as a week prior I was driving from Morro Bay to Bakersfield, I currently am dealing with tennis elbow and it would have been impossible to steer if it failed while driving. The truck is currently at my local dealership and they have verified that it needs a replacement EPS rack to resolve the issue. I was on my way home from work, stopped at the local post office and my traction control light flashed for a few minutes. I arrived at local post office, turned truck off and when I returned to my vehicle to turn on the red light signaling that power steering had failed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
There was no warning light until the steering will lock up and then the light will come on. Which is a life safety hazard because we went into on coming traffic because there was no steering ability. When we turn the truck off the steering will come back. But we lost control of the steering once again. Now the truck has no power steering at all. There is power to the system but continues to fail on the steering system because the light only comes on after the problem. This has happened to well maintained vehicle.. thanks in advance
- Fort Smith, AR, USA
This is the third complaint I have filed. Now the steering is stiff and makes noise. A mechanic advised that the issue is the ABS module. Dealers still say the ABS module is still unavailable. NHTSA needs to order a recall based on uncertain dependability of steering. Owners are presuming that trucks with faulty modules are safe to operate until NHTSB orders a recall.
- Hillsborough , NC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH and driving over a bump in the road, the steering wheel seized while going around a corner. The driver was able to avoid a crash and moved over safely. There was an alarm activated inside the vehicle. The message to check the power steering was displayed. After waiting approximately 5-10 minutes, the message disappeared. The contact linked the failure NHTSA Action Number: RQ23003 (Steering). The contact called the local dealer and was provided with the cost for a diagnostic test and an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
- Aberdeen, WA, USA
About a week ago I was headed to work and I noticed that the steering was HARD (no grinding or otherwise noticeable noises), like trying to lift bricks every time you make a slight turn. Obviously a pwoer steering issue (I think!)... After a few minutes though it went back to normal. After three days it came back. Today its 95 degrees outside, circuit board inside the eps couldn't take the heat so it completely stopped working
- Hollister, CA, USA
Steering Sensor leading to ABS malfunctioning. Including Instrument dash lights...Parking Break, Anti Skid, and ABS. Traction control does not work. Cruise does not work....All fuses are good. Cannot clear Dash lights.
- Portland, TN, USA
Power steering failure. Luckily for us, the failure happened while still in our driveway, so no accident or collision occurred. We had warning messages for ESC, hill start assist, and several other systems, but nothing for EPS (electric power steering). The dealership was able to repair the problem by replacing the steering rack and two associated wiring harnesses. The mechanic noted water and a lot of corrosion in the wiring connector on the steering rack. This vehicle has only had normal water exposure (rain and puddles on the road).
- Warm Springs, VA, USA
- Ovalo, TX, USA