2017 Ram 1500: steering wheel locks up

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · CA

On Approx. July 15 2026, I was driving down the highway 65 mph and my power steering locked up, I could no longer drive I finally got the truck to turn a little bit so I can get off the highway and pull over and I had to be towed the rest of the way home. . After this incident it became sporadic sometimes it would start to lock up and sometimes it wouldn't there's a loud noise when I turn the steering wheel either way.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Steering · 200,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. The message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact called a tire retailer and was informed to disconnect the battery to reset the vehicle. The contact disconnected the battery, which corrected the failure temporarily, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19E077000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2026 · Steering · WA

Electric power system failure causing sudden loss of power steering assist. Safety hazard steering locks up while driving requiring extreme effort to turn creating crash risk. Codes: C2217-00 and U11E8-00 Connections to Recalls: My vehicle exhibits the exact failure mode covered by recalls 16V‑167 and 19E-077, but my VIN was not included despite having identical symptoms and diagnostic codes. The problem occurred about a month ago 12/15/2025. There was a warning message on the Dash and Loss of Power steering while driving. We took it to our trusted mechanic and multiply codes came up: C2217-00, U11E8-00, U0155-00, U0415-00 and C2128-00

Filed Dec 26, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · IA

Steering goes in and out, stability control keeps acting up and light stays on, and service braking. Contacted RAM dealership, and was told that the recall was already completed before I owned it. It seems odd that the same symptoms are showing up again. I can’t drive the truck safely. The steering locks up and hard to turn. The anti-lock brakes are activated when using brakes.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Steering · KY

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 .

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Steering · NE

Was driving down highway and steering wheel locked up and service power steering alarm came on, almost hit an oncoming car in opposite flow of traffic. Shut truck off and re started it and was able to limp the truck home on back roads with the steering still intermittently giving out. Got it home and called service to get it scheduled and had to have it towed as steering went fully out and the shop said the whole electronic power steering rack and pinion went out and needs replaced, now I have to cough up over $4300 to fix it on a new truck, let alone im scared to death to drive it as the shop said this is an ongoing problem with a lot of Ram pickups due to water getting into the EPS board and shorting it out. Ram needs to recall this!! I had my girlfriend and baby in the truck with me and we could have all gotten hurt when the steering went out down the highway.

Filed Jul 5, 2024 · Steering · PA

Was driving my truck on vacation and the steering locked up and is stuck! Rack and pinion fail diagnosed by the dealer.

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Steering · OH

I was driving down the road at 30 mph and my steering wheel seized, I got a check steering alarm on my dash.

Filed Feb 10, 2024 · Steering · OR

Rack and pinion unit locked up and the tires immediately locked all the way to the right Along with the steering wheel locking up, Part not available for inspection. Has already been replaced. I could have injured or killed myself or another person because I could not steer, only able to apply brakes. The component was inspected and replaced by an independent service. No other inspections were done. No warning of any kind.

Filed Jan 29, 2024 · Steering · OH

Drove home from work and stopped the vehicle, put it in park to check the mail. When I returned the vehicle to drive the steering locked up and "service power steering" light came on the dash. I drove into the yard a bit because the steering wheel was incredibly difficult to turn. I thought I was going to break something with how much force I had to use to get the vehicle to steer into the garage. This is a recalled issue on other Ram gen 4 trucks and should be one for this one as well. I can only imagine if it had locked up with my 6 year old son in the vehicle on the highway or something.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Steering · ME

While driving down the road at 55mph in my 2017 Ram 1500 express I was rounding a corner when my steering locked up. I lost power steering and I could barely get my steering wheel to turn. While applying excessive force to turn my steering wheel, the locked steering freed up and nearly sent me off the road. I stopped to gain my composure and noticed when the vehicle was in park, the steering wheel turned fine. While at highway speed the steering gets very stiff and will lock up from time to time. I took the truck to the local Ram dealership for diagnosis and they confirmed the steering rack is faulty. The technician who road tested the vehicle could not replicate the issue, although it was intermittent. In the time leading up to my appointment for service the steering continued to worsen. I could not drive my truck with my infant daughter for fear of a steering failure. There were no messages, warning lights, or associated diagnostic codes associated with the steering issue. The truck is currently at the dealership getting a new steering rack.

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Steering · 63,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at slower speeds, the steering wheel seized with the wheels turned to the left. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.