Complete loss of power steering around turn. Nearly caused a major incident due to EPS failure.
2013 Ram 1500 steering complaints
Page 11 of 23: complaints 281 to 310 of 643, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Power steering stops working at random times and I have very limited control of the vehicle. Service power steering light appears on the dash. This has happen approximately 15 times without any warning. My truck has been at Ram Dealer in Panama City since July 8, 2024. They say I need Rack and Pinion gear part #R8573449AA but they have not been able to find the part.
Driving on interstate, service power steering light came on and instantly lost all power steering. Luckily I was going straight, if I was on a curve it could have been very bad. There was no previous notices or c.e.l. The eps system is one whole contained unit. Dealer says it is not serviceable. If one thing fails you lose steering completely. Currently looking at a $4000 dollar repair bill for a faulty steering module. Seems extremely dangerous
Electrical power steering went bad out of the sudden, and almost lost control of the vehicle. It was so hard to steer. I had to replace that whole EPS racking and pinion. New part was on back order, so my only option was to get a used part.
Intermittent steering issues. Some times the electric steering kicks off and back on. Sometimes It doesn’t work at all. Sometimes it works fine. Brought it to dealer they want 3k to replace the whole rack and pinion even though they have recalls for this same problem just not mine. I have a vehicle I’m paying every month for that’s too unsafe to drive, and to expensive to fix
Intermittent Power steering failure first occurred ~March 2024. Truck is not safe to operate and is currently at the dealership awaiting parts for repair and is available for inspection. Power steering failure occurred multiple times without warning and required enormous physical effort to maintain control through the turn. No warning signals or symptoms occurred before, during, or after any of the power steering failures.
Tried to start my truck in the morning a nd the power steering system light came on. Steering wheel was hard to turn. Took my truck to the mechanic and he said there was no parts to be found the the computer said it was an internal problem in the EPS rack and pinion unit. Went to the Dealership and they sated that they could not help me cause the part was discontinued . No parts on back order or were even available anymore. There also were no aftermarket parts made for this either leading me to hunt down old parts off of junked Ram trucks. This truck is only 10 years old and I don't know how it slipped through the recall when every other truck of that age is recalled.
The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving back to the house after work doing normal speed for the road leading there which is usually 35-60 mph. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, requiring significant effort to maintain control of the vehicle. This occurred without warning and created a hazardous situation as the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The power steering system is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been consistently reproduced under varying driving conditions, -e.g. City streets, turning, etc. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. I could have been seriously injured or injured another as well. I did contact the manufacturer and they stated that they do not make this part any longer laughed at me and said good luck. I felt silly and that was the last thing I needed that day after almost wrecking the vehicle due to this issue.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the service power steering warning illuminated, and the power steering function became inoperable. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality had returned. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred the same day and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the rack and pinion gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel seized. The message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
7/11/2024 Moving aprox 3 mph approaching a stop sign with slight right pressure on steering wheel the EPS failed. The steering seemed to “jerk” toward a center position. Service power steering light appeared on panel. I was able to continue home aprox two blocks but noticeable upper body strength required to move steering wheel. This will be a difficult situation for older. strength impaired drivers.
While driving home my truck started making an unusual sound like a dry bearing rubbing in a bearing would make, and I found it difficult to keep the steering wheel centered, a little further down the road I made a turn while doing so the steering wheel abruptly cut back the opposite direction of the turn yanking the wheel out of my hands no lights on the dash illuminated nor were there any warning chimes,I was able to make the last mile home by keeping both hands on the wheel firmly. Upon an inspection of the underside of my vehicle I found that the electric power assist system was making the loud sound that I thought was a bearing, I also noted that the front sway bar was broken on the passenger side was broken, I turned the the steering wheel to one side then the other and again the power steering yanked it from my hand, at this time I haven't taken it to a garage or called my insurance company,if I had been in traffic or congested area it would have caused an accident but as it was I was traveling a country road
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact became aware that the power steering was not functioning as designed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and seized and jerked. There was warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 208,908.
Malfunctioned ABS module. ABS , ESP, and trailer brake control not working. When ABS or ESP would be activated an error occurs and truck goes into neutral with neutral light blinking on shifter. ABS did not activate and almost hit a deer. ESP did not activate and almost spun into ditch. Working with dealer currently to confirm.
As I was driving suddenly the power steering emergency light came on on the dashboard and the steering wheel locked up creating a extremely dangerous condition. This all occurred without warning or any signs of a problem prior. My safety and others safety needless to say was in great danger.I called the dealership to ask if they had any incidents of this kind reported but they would not confirm... however a search on You tube and google verify many others have experienced this issue.
Electronic Power steering went out while driving the vehicle. Temporarily lost control while driving the vehicle. We took it to a dealer and they confirmed this is the same issue the previously recalled 2015-2016 trucks have and they cannot order the part needed to fix the issue as the part has been discontinued. The system says "national backorder with no ETA" however, the dealership said Dodge has discontinued the part entirely so they do not anticipate the part coming back and becoming available. There were NO prior warnings of any issues before losing control of the power steering. The truck has always had regular maintenance, oil changes etc. Very well maintained truck so this was unexpected. Now we are left with a truck that we cannot buy a part for with NO anticipated release date & Dodge still has not recalled the 2013 so there is nothing we can do. This is extremely dangerous to not recall as it will cause serious harm to future drivers with the same issue.
Power steering stopped working with no warning as the truck was being driven up a busy Highway at 65 MPH. Lost momentary control of the truck but was able to pull over and turn it off without incident. When it was restarted the engine light came on with an error message popping up. It was on a very busy highway but we were able to limp it home, going miles under the speed limit with emergency flashers on for safety. It is very hard to steer and the brakes do not seem to be working correctly now. After starting it again today to see if its still giving an error, another light is on regarding the ABS system and the power steering is not working at all. The truck is not safe to drive as and the problem has been confirmed by a local dealership and the truck is on a waiting list to see about further diagnostics & repairs. It is available for inspection at any time.
Vehicle encountered sudden loss of power steering while driving, nearly resulting in a crash. Vehicle steering tends to lock in a drifting angle, and recovery often requires a turn in the opposite direction of the intended direction to correct.
Power steering faild
Loss of power steering still continues. Replaced the intermittent lower steering shaft. Still losing power steering occasionally. Turning left or right the wheel will lock up half way through the turn making me drive straight into on coming traffic. Vary scary.
Was driving and the power steering stopped working out of nowhere. And an icon popped up on dash of a red steering wheel with exclamation point. Now sometimes it will work but 98% of the time it doesn’t
Steering jerked while turning and needed extra strength to maintain control. This problem has happened multiple times in the last 24 hours. Upon looking at the federal safety agency website I found an open investigation (RQ 23-003) and I feel like my truck would fall into the action/summary provided. I have been able to maintain control but there is no notice provided (that I have caught onto) and it is intermittent. The service power steering light does come on and very quickly turns off.
*Power Steering locked up and you cannot steer the vehicle. * The steering locked up and almost caused me to hit the guardrail at intersection. * Have replaced Rack and Pinion but still locks up. *No warning or messages and no previous warning.
Electronic power steering failed while driviing with warning. Failed system is available for inspection on vehicle due to lack of recall for specific vehicle. Component failed while driving speed limit on highway curve endangering self and others. Problem has been confirmed however recalls are not appropriated to vehicle in question. It has been inspected by mechanic shop who stated dealership must correct. Dealership confirmed recall information. The warning was not present at time of incident. The warning light on the dash only appeared after turning the vehicle off and back on, multiple times on the day after the incident.
The electric power steering went out in oct 2023 and I have been driving this using manual steering since. The truck only had 35000 miles on it when the eps failed. This needs to be recalled since other ram trucks have reported the same failure.
Power steering went out but after restarting the vehicle a couple of time it worked for about an hour then completely stopped working.
When the weather got sub 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the power steering went out completely, and then after warming up the truck came back on, but would rapidly jerk my wheel when steering for a while until it fully warmed up. Now its completely out with no signs of life. Ram will not service this part, only out right replace it, and you cant get the part anywhere. which is rediculous being that this power steering rack is in more then just the 2013 ram 1500.
No power steering suddenly. Checked fuses but those seem fine Unknown cause.
Power steering failure. Upon starting the vehicle, a 2013 Ram 1500 Bighorn, driver information center showed a power steering failure warning indicator. Turning the vehicle off and back on did not clear the warning. No prior warnings existed to show the imminent failure of the power steering system. Took the vehicle in for service and was advised the part and labor would be around $5,500.00.
electronic power steering went out, while driving, like driving a 80’s model. Wheel lock and had to man handle the steering. Hard to tell how much fluid there when the system is sealed
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 Ram 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history