The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the electronic power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn and was almost impossible to turn. The contact stated that on the previous day, the power steering warning light was illuminated momentarily. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: C2217-00 (internal electronic power steering module failure). The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency investigation RQ23-033. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 138,210.
2016 Ram 1500 steering problems
316 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 72,000. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 316
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 72,000
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion1
- Electric power assist system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ram 1500 steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Ram 1500 steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS unit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S19.
Recall number 16V167000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
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 electrical power steering unit in certain model year 2015-2016 RAM 1500. The recall involved 440 vehicles and potentially resulted in loss of power steering assist.Consumer complaints indicate a similar failure may be occurring in vehicles that are out of scope of the recall.A Recall Query has been opened to determine if the scope of the recall mentioned above is correct or if another defect might exist that causes the alleged steering concerns.The reports cited above are listed in the attached document.
RQ23003
What 2016 Ram 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
ELECTRIC STEERING RACK FAILURE. The truck requires tremendous strength to steer manually, risking accident and injury to passengers and other vehicles. Emmett's Auto in Klamath Falls, OR has ordered a new steering rack. RAM Corporate advised the truck is not on recall. Other trucks manufactured the same year have the recall for the same defect. A "service steering soon" message appears in the message center of the truck. Local dealer, Lithia Auto received 18 new steering racks which were already promised to other repairs. This indicates to me that this is a widespread problem and the recall should have involved my vehicle.
The electronic power steering has failed. The system failed on 10/19/26. Also, the truck has stalled while driving on three different occasions in the last two years. It has never shown a code for the stalls.
On my son's 2016 Dodge Ram 1500, he was driving and as he was turning into a gas station, his Electronic Power Steering (EPS) stopped working and he had to use much force to turn the wheel into the gas station. The steering wheel warning light came up on his dash and after several attempts of turning off/turning on the engine and removing the battery cables and putting them back, the EPS would not come back on. We did check the fuse from the positive battery terminal with a multimeter and the cable to the EPS still had power, to include fuse 78 in the fuse box. We check the wire under the engine to the EPS and found no issues with the wires.
Electric power steering failure
Driving down residential street and steering got stiff . Not safe at all . Message on screen power steering service. 2 mechanics said to would need to replace complete electric power steering gear assembly.
Rack and pinion has failed after 10 years. Luckily it went out a my wife was getting home. I've had a mechanic verify that it has failed completely and I am in the process of getting a new one.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while pulling out of the garage and onto the driveway, the steering wheel seized, and the message "Power Steering Needs to Be Serviced" was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as intended, and the contact slowly drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer, RAM, was notified of the failure via website and by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that no assistance would be provided and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 13,800.
Power steering failing intermittently while driving, usually at low speeds.
ABS module failed causing ABS, traction control, and cruise control to stop functioning along with intermittent loss of power steering. Contacted multiple dealers which all stated the part is no longer available and no replacement part. This was a nuisance for two years until I towed a trailer and was merging onto an interstate when I lost traction due to wet roads and no traction control. Vehicle and trailer fishtailed and I was barely able to gain control without contacting any other vehicles on the very busy interstate. I was able to find a rebuilt abs module on eBay for $1100 that I installed and corrected the issue. This year model needs to be added to the existing recall that has been posted for many other years for this exact issue
Questions about the 2016 Ram 1500 steering
Does the 2016 Ram 1500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 316 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Ram 1500, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 72,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ram 1500 steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V167000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ram 1500 have bad steering?
The Ram 1500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (643 complaints), 2014 (509 complaints) and 2015 (342 complaints).
Other 2016 Ram 1500 problems
Engine 354Brakes 287Fuel system 284Transmission 204Electrical 194Acceleration 111Suspension 68Airbags 49Body 36Driver assistance 31Lights 18Wheels 14Seat belts 13Locks 11Tires 8Visibility 6Seats 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Ram 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history