My electronic power steering (eps) rack and pinion completely failed out of nowhere. I took it to the dealership and they told me the module basically fried itself and that I had to replace it. I've only owned the truck for 5 months now and can't really afford to pay 4,000+ dollars to repair this defective part.
2017 Ram 1500 steering complaints
Page 4 of 9: complaints 71 to 100 of 230, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My Power steering started going in and out a few months ago. Somehow survived the trip from South Carolina to Alaska. Power steering completely went out on Tuesday, [XXX]. I’ve ran diagnostics and it has to be the EPS rack. The rack is getting power but is not responding. I’ve been hearing this is happening to a lot of 4th gen rams. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At 76,000 miles the electric steering rack and pinion went out! Causing the steering to be stiff and potentially setting up for accidents since steering just got stiff. After spending $4,000.00 the problem has been replaced.
Was running errands in town, truck was on and off a few times over 2 hours. Started up leaving restaurant, I had no power steering. Completely gone, the (service power steering) light and warning popped up on my dash. The power steering has been intermediate loss for the past 5 days now. Works when it wants. Took a local shop to get the code read, lost communication to the EPS. Some times when I start the truck, I can drive 1-15 miles, and the power steering goes out suddenly.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering failed to function as intended. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The contact was informed that the entire steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB: VB9; but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2017 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 55 MPH, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the steering wheel. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering column. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 67,000.
I was driving and electric steering went out and almost crashed few to no way you can steer it cause front end damage
Update to previously reported incident: Electric Power Steering unit would intermittently stop working - twice while driving and dash warning message to "Service Power Steering" appeared. Took Truck to Ram Dealership who duplicated problem. Dealership had to replace entire Electric Power Steering Rack. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY PROBLEM. I ALMOST RAN THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD WHEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ROUNDING A CURVE. BOTH 2015 AND 2016 RAM 1500 YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM - WHY NOT 2017???? I HAD TO PAY OVER $4,000.00 TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK. WHY HAS 2017 MODELS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET?????
Service electronic braking system/ service antilock brake system, (ABS). My local dealership stated this is a nationwide known issue for the past three years with manufacture and supplier issue and that there is no no remedy or fix for this at this time.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in a parking area, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering gear. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19E077000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Was driving my truck and everything was working fine then the power streering just shut off making it very difficult to control the vehicle then proceeded to go off and intermittently at different times after that now it has been completely gone and not came back. The rack and pinion would have to be replaced.
Something going on with my electrical in my steering 1 minute I'll have great steering the next minute extremely hard to turn everything is functioning properly boo when you turn it doesn't feedback like it's supposed to you actually have to turn it back so when you turn a curve or corn actually have to pull back or turn the wheel back to get it to go back straight doesn't just kind of follow back like it's supposed to there's definitely an issue looking online there's been numerous people that have had the same issue with the same year off truck it's definitely a safe concern of mine especially when my family rides in it and other people on the road I do believe it should be recalled because there's definitely an issue going on
While driving slowly, the EPS will turn violently on its own. Service steering warning light comes on.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The contact was informed that entire steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Power Steering intermittently stops working upon starting the vehicle, trying to park the vehicle and twice during driving on the road. This condition makes it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. If on a curved road it could cause the vehicle to leave the road. Problem was replicated by Dodge / Ram dealership with a dash warning to "Service the Power Steering Unit" but code and message disappeared after restarting the vehicle by the technician.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to regain control of the vehicle and stop the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.
Driving on highway power steering suddenly stopped could not turn around curve. Loss control ran another oncoming car off road. Stopped vehicle on side of ditch. Steering wheel would not turn easily. Shut truck off. Restarted and steering wheel resumed normal operation.
Electronic power steering just shut off randomly a year after my extended warranty was up costing 3-4000 $ in repair bills this is absurd that this has not been recalled yet
Electronic power steering is working intermittently or not working, making it extremely difficult to steer. It’s doing the same thing as previous years that was recalled.
While driving this truck at approximately 45 mph to 50mph the steering locked up and could not turn wheel either way with both hands . It then broke loose causing to truck to take a herd right turn . It does same thing if you are pulling to left when it frees up causing a quick left hand turn . This is very dangerous as total loss of steering occurred . Luckily there was room to stop . The steering then started working again then after consort distance it happened again . At this point I had a roll back haul it home . This could cause serious injury to me and or my family or someone coming in other lane . This is a totally bad design a vehicle should never be unable to be steered .
I will lose steering ability at random times and it will jerk the truck while driving or turning. I have checked to see if there are any open recalls currently and there are none
My power steering randomly cuts out, I get a service power steering message and then eventually the power steering comes back. I took it to a local dealer it did not fail during the time they had it. There were no codes. I bought an obd reader and when the power steering failed, no codes. There are no indicators or obvious scenarios that can replicate the symptoms. It’s totally random. It does seem to happen more in cooler weather.
The power steering stopped working while driving. Almost drove off the road because it is so hard to steer.
While driving several times since purchasing it the vehicles steering had completely locked and I've had to slam on brakes in middle of traffic before i crash several times, very close to causing serious injuriesto myself or others and possibly death. This has happened numerous times since i bought it. I took it to the dealership where I purchased it, they said they fix it in 2021 it has happend several times since then also, im scared to drive it. Or it will get super lose like a joy stick, but won't turn at all. Ive taken it to several other dealerships for diagnosis with similar results. Now when i brought it to the dealership where i purchased they're saying they have to charge to diagnosis it again when I have several other diagnosis stating same problem plus i brought it here in 2021 same problem. so there own diagnosis which should be in system, ive went to another dodge dealership for diagnosis and auto separate auto repair shop who confirmed the same electrical power steering issues. They even printed papers stating the 2015-2016 ram had same problem and recalls on same steering wheel issues.
Lost eps while pulling my Travel Trailer. Was able to get stopped without incident. Restarted vehicle and had eps. On another occasions ,started vehicle and no eps. This has become a problem any time the outside temperature is below 65 degrees. Can usually get eps after letting engine warm up.
In my 2017 dodge ram 1500 big horn, the rack and pinioning computer system failed while driving it. Dealer ship stated it was a pretty common failure and the parts are normally in high demand. After doing research it appears that the years around 2017 have had recalls on the same part but the 2017 does not. If the system failed while someone unfamiliar with driving a car with no power steering it could cause wrecks and serious health problems.
Power steering failed while driving. Replace the power steering rack (dealership replaced it). It still failing due to the torque sensor or the steering wheel, a steering wheel angle sensor being faulty,. Very dangerous if the vehicles power steering randomly stops doing its job while in motion.
Experiencing intermittent loss of power steering making it difficult to turn or maneuver the vehicle, which is more prevalent during colder temperatures. A safety issue is created by the inability to react quickly or control the vehicle in certain situations, such as icy or snowy road conditions where loss of traction occurs. A diagnostic scan has been performed and a code was recorded for a short circuit, or low voltage, to the power steering. Code for power steering was first noticed in July, 2024. Intermittent loss of power steering was first noticed in October, 2024. Code was cleared and has not returned. However, the most recent diagnostic run is now showing a code for, “Battery Voltage - circuit voltage below threshold” (C2129-16). Other codes are present for open/short circuit for the passenger door module as well. Between July and October other electrical related issues were experienced. This includes incorrect reading of heading/direction displayed on dash (showing N when driving S) and complete loss of function of radio controls in center stack. Both issues occurred at seemingly randomly instances and were often corrected by turning the vehicle off and back on, have not occurred since October, 2024.
experiencing total power steering loss, and intermittent loss of power steering
Electric power steering failed suddenly while making a left turn, on a two lane highway, left me in the oncoming lane with risk for near head on collision. My [XXX] old old drives this truck, she would not have had the strength to turn the wheel enough to avoid collision or hit a tree. No signs of this problem before incident, took me by surprise. The service power steering light came on after and continues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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