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Home›Ram›Ram 2500› steering problems
Owner complaints · Steering · every model year

Ram 2500 steering problems, 2016–2026

211 of the 4,388 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 2500 2016–2026 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2018 (85), 2017 (49), 2016 (43). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

211 complaints, 11 model years 5% of everything filed about the 2500 typically at 31k miles

Ram 2500 steering problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One 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 yearComplaints naming the steeringShare of the year’sTypically atOn file under the heading
20260———the year →
202535%——the year →
20240——1 recallthe year →
2023510%—1 recallthe year →
20220———the year →
202155%——the year →
2020106%——the year →
2019116%——the year →
2018 in depth853%22k1 recall · 2 investigationsthe record →
2017497%45k1 recall · 2 investigationsthe year →
20164317%38k1 recall · 2 investigationsthe year →

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.

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When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database
211complaints name the steering, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 44 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 22 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 30 · 2026: 23

31kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 83 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 9,000 and 60,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed 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.

2018 dodge Ram. Consumer writes in regards to drag link safety recall. The consumer stated the drag link repair was performed but, the fialure recurred
Steering Jul 23, 2019 NHTSA owner report
I have the very same issue that has been previously expressed on may 20th, 2019. I had my service done on the may 20th, only to be told about the 'spot weld' when I picked up the truck, after the repair was done. I too agree with this description the frustrations, issues and concerns.
Steering at 9,200 miles Jun 10, 2019 NHTSA owner report
The recall for fixing the drag link separation is not safe. You do not weld steering components because you change the molecular structure of the steel making it harder. Instead of bending, it will snap. Also you cannot adjust toe in and toe out any longer.
Steering Jun 21, 2019 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. While driving at any speed, attempting to park the vehicle, or backing out of a parked position, the steering lost power. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not provided
Steering Jun 11, 2019 NHTSA owner report
Recall v06 calls for part the steering components to be welded. If the jam nuts are loose or the threads are bad the drag link is replaced. I don't feel comfortable with a not certified welder welding a steering component that was never designed to be welded.
Steering Aug 5, 2019 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the steering, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

NHTSA investigations

Other systems with a record on the Ram 2500

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Ram 2500 problems by year →

From here
Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Ram 2500 years have the most steering complaints?

2018, 85; 2017, 49; 2016, 43. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (17%).

Is there a recall for the steering on the Ram 2500?

Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V199000 (2024), 19V021000 (2018). 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 2500?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 31,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 9,000 and 60,000. 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.