2016 Ram 1500: jerking or lurching

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Steering · MN

Power steering is intermittently working. It happens at different speeds. It makes it very difficult to steer and power steering will engage after executing a turn which will jerk the vehicle and wheel.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Steering · 75,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the steering wheel jerked to the left. Additionally, while making a turn, the steering wheel jerked to the opposite direction. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. The message "Check Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact borrowed a screwdriver to access the power steering electrical wires. The contact discovered that the power steering wiring and electrical plug wiring were burned and melted. The contact purchased a new rack and pinion, but had become aware that the rack and pinion replacement would not repair the vehicle due to the burned electrical wiring. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · FL

Reversing in our driveway, backing in with the trailer to store it. Backing up hill, the truck stopped moving. I applied additional pressure to the accelerator to get the truck moving again. The truck lurched backward suddenly enough that the rear tires broke traction loudly. Before I could stop the truck, the trailer struck the corner of the house, causing significant damage.

Filed Sep 6, 2025 · Airbags, Suspension · TN

Front suspension has completely bottomed out while the back is all the way raised making the truck sit awkwardly and drive extremely unstable and very roughly. You feel every bump on the road and hitting any kind of hole/bump will cause the truck to jerk. I definitely feel less safe driving this truck. Problem was identified by dealership and been an issue since I have owned it for 2+ years. Warning light has been on for most of the time I've had the vehicle included when I bought it and the dealership attempted to fix it.

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 168,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) and 23V411000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 5MPH, the vehicle started to stall, then jerked back and forth before eventually shutting off. The fuel control sensor warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with high-pressure fuel pump failure. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired; however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 31, 2024 · Steering · TX

When driving and making turns, steering wheel will lock up and sometimes try and jerk the in the opposite direction as if to try and straighten itself. “Service Power Steering” warning will pop up on screen for a brief moment and go away. This problem has almost become predictable, happening with a harder turn or when at speed. Never happens when sitting still, rolling steering wheel back and forth. And it happens every day, not just a single incident.

Filed Feb 6, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · 73,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated the instrument cluster lights were intermittently dim and bright while driving, and the cabin light was inoperable. The contact stated while reversing into a parking spot, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the power steering became functional. Additionally, the contact stated that while making a left turn to park the vehicle, the steering wheel jerked and pulled to the right. The contact was able to pull into the parking spot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off the instrument cluster lights were illuminated and the RPMs revved up. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Steering · MI

Loss of power steering making it hard to steer at low speeds. Power steering on and off intermittently making steering to feel jerky.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · Fuel system · 124,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Dec 30, 2022 · Transmission · WI

Traveling at hwy speeds the vehicle lurched as if the brakes were suddenly slammed on then removed. Speed was reduced to 60 mph, no sounds or vibrations noticed so began accelerating back to hwy speeds. RPM kept building but speed was not increasing as normal. Within a few seconds loud banging under the vehicle was heard and half the drive shaft came out the back flipping end over end down the hwy. The shaft struck the grill of a jeep following me but no damage was seen upon inspection. The truck came to a relatively calm stop on the side of the road. Both halves of the drive shaft were recovered, one from the middle of the road, the other about 20 yards into the ditch. Rear diff was spilling fluid. All casings and covers seemed to be intact. Towed to Dealer, inspected and they said best they figure is the axle seized up, destroyed the diff, and shaft. They do not believe the transmission or transfer case were affected but can't be sure until new rear assembly and shaft installed. No one was injured in this event, although if the speed and height of the axle shaft flipping end over end down the hwy into the jeep was different serious injury could have occurred. Additionally, if a component of the rear assembly came off the truck could have come to a violent stop.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Engine · 92,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle jerked and made a loud banging sound. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the engine oil was leaking underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine was blown. The dealer disassembled the engine to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2021 · Steering · 73,845 miles · UT

I currently have my 2016 ram laramie in the shop in need of a repair to the power steering. When turning and accelerating the power steering locks up and the vehicle lurches. The dealership initially diagnosed the problem as concurrent with recall 16v167000 (the federal safety agency recall 16v‑167), but then later determined that the VIN of my vehicle did not meet the specifications. This issue occurred out of the blue on my vehicle, and makes it undriveable. The repair quote is upwards of $2600. It stands to reason that the 16v‑167 recall extends beyond the initial scope of what was originally documented, and the manufacturer and dealer are jumping on this loophole. I have no choice to repair the vehicle, but am in hopes that an adjustment to the 16v‑167 recall will be made at a further date which may provide me reimbursement from the manufacturer. Willing to provide documentation upon request.