Ram 1500 steering problems, 2016–2027
1,141 of the 7,221 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 1500 2016–2027 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2019 (337), 2016 (311), 2017 (232). Filed under the same heading across these years: 6 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ram 1500 steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 8% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2023 | 18 | 9% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2022 | 40 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 50 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 61 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 337 | 23% | 19k | 3 recalls | the record → |
| 2018 | 86 | 13% | 78k | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 232 | 26% | 65k | — | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 311 | 20% | 71k | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 10 · 2018: 22 · 2019: 72 · 2020: 66 · 2021: 71 · 2022: 87 · 2023: 174 · 2024: 234 · 2025: 237 · 2026: 168
Across the model years, half of the 372 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 14,000 and 81,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Started truck in a parking lot and started to pull away, went to turn and truck went straight till it indicated to 'service power steering.' once I realized it had lost all power steering I was able to limp it home with much effort to make turns. Traffic was light so was able to use multiple lanes to make turns.
I was driving down interstate i95, when I got an alarm on my dashboard saying my power steering was unavailable, and I had no power steering, I took my truck to the dealer and they checked for loose wires and changed the PCM module and the battery sensor, my truck has been there 3 times as this last from anywhere from 10 seconds to 10…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned especially while making left turns. When the vehicle accelerated, the power steering indicator illuminated. When the vehicle was cold started, the power steering would not work at all.
While executing a left hand turn power steering cut out completely. No power assist at all for about a sec or so. Half ways through the turn the power steering restored itself. It happened a second time within a few minutes of the first occurrence while executing a right hand turn.
Electric power steering failure. Over a period of 2-3 weeks power steering has become more and more inoperable and requires very much effort to steer. Dealer suggestion is to completely replace rack & pinion module at high cost - est $2200. Repair must be done to make this vehicle safe to drive.
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V729000 ModerateOct 1, 2024 · 129,313 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective devices, and Associated Equipment."
- 24V199000 HighMar 14, 2024 · 38,164 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram 3500, Ram 3500 cab chassis, Ram 2500, Ram 4500 cab chassis, Ram 5500 cab chassis, 2023 Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs., and Chrysler Voyager vehicles. The steering column control module may not be welded properly, which can prevent the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- 19V812000 HighNov 14, 2019 · 193 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 trucks. These vehicles may have been built with a contaminated electric power steering (EPS) gear that may short circuit, potentially resulting in an intermittent loss of power steering assist.
- 19V201000 CriticalMar 14, 2019 · 52 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. These vehicles have improperly machined steering column stub shafts that may break, possibly causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
- 19V020000 HighJan 24, 2019 · 159,740 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. The battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender may have been improperly secured, possibly resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
- 16V167000 HighMar 23, 2016 · 440 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to September 13, 2015. Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ23003 Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steeringopened Aug 4, 2023 · open
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 380 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance in certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500. The failure allegations occur at various speeds with limited detectability to the driver. On March 23, 2016 Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) conducted recall campaign 16V-167 to address a possible contamination of the …
Other systems with a record on the Ram 1500
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ram 1500 years have the most steering complaints?
2019, 337; 2016, 311; 2017, 232. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (26%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Ram 1500?
Yes — 6 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V729000 (2024), 24V199000 (2024), 19V812000 (2019), 19V201000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 50,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 14,000 and 81,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.