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.
2016 Ram 1500: steering wheel locks up
21 of the 1,565 complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500 describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 73,845
- recalls
- 1
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds under 25 MPH and turning, the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel was held firmly until the steering wheel released. The contact stated that on another occasion while the vehicle was parked, the power-steering warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle, but the steering wheel was stiff, and the contact was unable to drive any further. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion, steering gear, and linkage, AUX coolant pump, and driver's seat airbag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V812000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Steering wheel locks up when cold
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Transmission won't shift out of second gear,and a code showed up U0402 in order for it to shift gear you have to disconnected the battery cable wait a few minutes then connect the battery back this will reset the computer then it will shift gear, while driving at 45 the truck suddenly stop making it feel like the transmission was about to fall out Now the EPS system while driving the steering wheel lock up, when I took it to dealership it sat in the shop about 45 minutes to and hour and they said ok you ready to go don't give me a copy of what was supposed to be done
While driving My Dodge Ram 1500 on the freeway at 65 MPH the steering wheel locked up and I had no control over my vehicle. The vehicle put everyone on the freeway in danger, including myself. Each time this happened the engine light and the light for the traction control system came on. This has happened multiple times and each time I have reported it to the dealership, they say they can not help me unless it happens while they are driving it. Please address this before someone gets hurt because of my steering column locking up.
I was driving my Ram 1500 when all of a sudden my steering wheel locked in place and I could not control my steering wheel. This was a bit frightening as I did not know what had happened. I was able to bring my truck back home and called a mechanic, the mechanic told me it is a rack and pinion issue with my truck and after investigation we found there was a recall on a few of these Rams surprisingly when looking it up it shows “no unrepaired recalls” I find it hard to believe and really frustrating as this could’ve caused a really bad accident had even cost me my life.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and heard an abnormal buzzing sound. The contact stated that the "Steering Wheel" symbol with an exclamation point was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stopped and turned off, and restarted the vehicle to attempt to reset the steering assist; however, the vehicle to return to normal functionality. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the electric power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall related to the failure, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The contact had called a dealer but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact called the manufacturer, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Power steering locked up while driving. Upon investigation discovered EPS had went out and found there was a current recall on the vehicle but not my specific Vin.
I was driving the truck when the light came on for EBS (Electronic Braking System) and the steering wheel locked up then the truck dash read a warning stating "Service Power Steering". Through my research on Kelly Blue Book this is a common problem with this year make and model of Ram 1500 pickups yet mine doesn't have this as a specific recall. I also have an issue with the exhaust manifold bolts rattling loose separating the exhaust manifold separating from the rear of the engine block at the head. My father owns a 2014 Ram 1500 and had that same issue with his exhaust manifold and I know 3 other gentlemen that had the issue with the exhaust manifold I was wondering seeing as these are common problems with this generation of Ram 1500's if I could have these 3 issues put out as recalls on my specific Ram 1500 because with these common problems I feel like I shouldn't have to come out of pocket to pay for them. Please consider my complaint. Thank you.
While turning left out of the school parking lot, the steering wheel locked and prevented any further steering ability while actively driving at approximately 15 miles per hour. The power steering light on the console flashed immediately prior to the event but stayed on while the truck was in motion and then finally stopped. After leaving the truck at rest and turned off for approximately 15 minutes , we were able to unlock the steering wheel and drive the vehicle home. This issue has occurred no less than 5 times in the past year, although previously the steering locked for just a few seconds.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Service bulletins that may apply
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
Questions about the 2016 Ram 1500 steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2016 Ram 1500?
21 of 1,565 owner complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500 (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Ram 1500?
There is 1 recall and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Ram 1500
ABS 250Check engine light 123Power steering loss 120Loss of power 96Adaptive cruise 85Stalling 59Fuel pump 54Fuel gauge 46Engine failure 41Fire or smoke 32Won't shift 25No deployment 23Jerking 22Hesitation 19Won't start 17Knocking 16Overheating 15Backup camera 13Headlights 13Brake failure 12Rollaway 12Power windows 10Warning lights 10Grinding brakes 9Fuel smell 8Misfire 8Key fob 7Sudden acceleration 7Tire blowout 7Harsh shifting 6Transmission failure 6Ball joint 5Door locks 5Seat belt 5
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