2018 Ram 1500: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Steering · OK

1. The electronic power steering system on my 2018 Dodge Ram began malfunctioning intermittently, with the power steering going in and out, before eventually failing completely. I was informed that due to the design of the system, the entire rack-and-pinion assembly must be replaced because of the design. 2. The intermittent steering failure progressed to a complete loss of power steering assistance, creating a serious safety concern. Difficulty steering can affect the driver's ability to maneuver, respond quickly to traffic, and maintain control in emergency situations. Driving under these conditions puts me and other motorists at risk. I depend on this vehicle to get to work, but I cannot safely drive it with the steering system malfunctioning. Being unable to use my vehicle also creates a significant hardship because I must maintain my employment and daily responsibilities. 3. The problem has been identified as a failure of the electronic power steering system. I have been informed that the entire rack-and-pinion assembly must be replaced because of the way the system is designed. I have also been told that the required replacement part is on national backorder and is unavailable in Oklahoma with no delivery date in sight. The vehicle was inspected by Kasterke of Shawnee, OK and Kevin's Automotive. 4. To my knowledge, the manufacturer, police, and insurance representatives have not independently inspected the vehicle. 5. Before the complete failure, the electronic power steering system began working intermittently, repeatedly going in and out. The problem continued until the power steering failed completely. There was no warning. The vehicle just became unable to steer and handle. Once the system failed, the message "Power Steering Unavailable" appeared.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Steering · MI

Sudden loss of power steering while driving. National chain won’t fix it either, although they said I could lose steering altogether. This is a huge safety issue.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · UT

As we were driving along the freeway at highway speeds, the dash lights completely cut out on my ram 1500 2019. At first, this seemed to simply affect the visibility of the central console, speed controls, light indicators, etc. But then as we continued on and proceeded to exit the freeway, the entire vehicle shut down and lost total power steering speed control and power braking. I had to rapidly exit and take at safety on side of the road before completely losing control. Previously we had lost power to the video control display but it had never lost power before. We had also previously experienced where we were on the freeway at freeway speeds and the cruise control just rapidly shut down the same time as the video console shut down and the vehicle proceeded to slow rapidly and unexpectedly. After the incidence of losing cruise control and losing the central display, we took the vehicle multiple times to a ram authorized dealer service center in salt lake City as well as an independent shop. Neither could replicate and the issue as it is severely intermittent. We continued to use the vehicle given their clean bill of health. However, this incident showed a new level of severe risk in driving the vehicle. There were no warning indicators or flashing lights as the console completely failed in the middle of the driver screen. By several mechanical shops unable to replicate the issue. We were able to start recording upon the demonstration of the latest incident and have a video of this happening but too large to upload. Should this have happened while we were still on the freeway and unable to safely navigate to a shoulder on either the left or right of the road, we would have essentially been forced to go from full-freeway speeds in a matter of seconds, creating a significant risk for ourselves and others. You can see in the video the central console goes completely black does not show speed Indicators does not flash any warning signal, intermittent control.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Steering · FL

Have had repeated intermittent EPS warning light alerts, sometimes followed by complete loss of power steering even at speed. The light and issue go away once I cycle the key off and back on again but eventually come back. Obviously this is a dangerous fault.

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Steering · NJ

My 2018 Ram 1500 suddenly lost power steering assistance while I was driving, making the steering extremely difficult to turn and creating a significant safety hazard. The power steering stopped working without adequate warning, and I am concerned about the known issues involving the electric power steering system on these vehicles. I am reporting this failure to the federal safety agency because a sudden loss of steering assistance could increase the risk of a crash.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Engine · TX

EGR cooler failed while driving on May 29, 2026. Towed truck to Greenville Chrysler that day. EGR cooler, melted intake manifold and melted wiring harness are being replaced. Service Advisor says "Safety Recall VB1 / the federal safety agency 19V‑757 Diesel EGR Cooler" was accomplished in 2021. Per the Recall, the EGR cooler is replaced with a new part number. Accomplishment of this recall clearly did not eliminate the problem of egr cooler failure and the resulting damage to intake manifold and wiring. Do i have any financial recourse in this case due to recalled parts failing again ? I have requested that the dealer provide failed parts upon completion of reparis. Myself and others were put at risk when my truck lost all power on IH-30 in traffic before daylight. Dealer has verbally indicated that the egr cooler failed and melted intake manifold and wiring harness. No inspection by anybody except dealer service shop. No warning lamps or other symptoms noticed before failure.

Filed May 28, 2026 · Steering · VT

I experienced sudden and intermittent loss of power steering. I nearly crashed going around a corner as the steering suddenly required a hard active return to center. I brought the vehicle to my local independent service center where they test drove it and confirmed/experienced similar sudden loss of power steering. No one else has inspected the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The onboard diagnostic computer shows no error codes. The vehicle is unsafe to drive as is. It is currently in the shop for repair.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Transmission · NE

Took excellent care of my truck, doing all recommended maintenance and replacing parts as they wear out. I had catastrophic engine failure at 86k miles. Was getting off a highway on an off ramp and got a low oil pressure warning and lose of power/no throttle response from the truck. Pulled over and oil was spewing out. Had it towed to a shop and they said the engine was seized up and there was metal in the oil, recommended full engine replacement.

Filed Jul 22, 2025 · Steering · FL

Subject: Ongoing Power Steering Malfunction – Safety Concern I am writing to report a recurring and now potentially permanent issue with the power steering system in my vehicle. The problem began approximately 2 to 2.5 years ago. Initially, it was intermittent — the power steering would occasionally fail at low speeds, then resume normal operation. During these incidents, the dashboard would display a warning message: “Service Power Steering.” Over time, the issue has become more frequent, and in some cases, the failure occurs immediately upon startup, before the vehicle has even been driven. I first brought the vehicle to a local repair shop, where I was advised that the power steering unit might need to be replaced. They also mentioned that the problem could be related to a known defect involving contaminated components. However, after checking the serial number, I confirmed that my vehicle is not included in the current recall for this make and model. Next, I took the vehicle to a Ram Chrysler dealership. They were unable to replicate the issue during their inspection and advised me to bring the vehicle back on a tow truck if the problem occurred again. Since then, the issue has returned multiple times. I was previously able to temporarily clear the fault by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery terminals, but that method is no longer effective. The failure now appears to be persistent and ongoing. This is a serious safety concern. A sudden loss of power steering — whether at startup, low speeds, or while driving — poses a significant risk to both myself and others on the road. I plan to return to the dealership for further diagnostics, but I believe this issue deserves broader investigation and may warrant an expansion of the current recall. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · LA

While driving through a hard rain and some standing water (which was totally unavoidable)one afternoon, I began having Electric power steering problems. It stared off with grinding noises for a couple days and on the day i took it to be checked is when I loss all power steering with EPS warning light engaged. After searching for the part continuously, through manufacturers and auto parts dealers, I was told countless times that it was on national back order. So, weeks passed with no luck and finally found one from a used auto parts which cost me 1k plus labor. About 2 months later, almost same scenario all over again. Loss power steering while driving. Now im back in the same situation again but this time different mechanic has one on order for me but a new steering rack which is now costing me $3000 for parts labor programing and wheel alignment which is needed after replacing rack. Now the insurance adjuster is telling me that from his research this is a huge ongoing problem with RAM trucks. Since 2018 when I got my truck i haven't had any issues until now twice within two months with this EPS rack.Ram needs this fixed immediately. It is a major safety hazard, inconvenience, and a big financial burden that insurance won't cover

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · WA

We may have started a claim already reference number 1592940, this is the first I've been able to write out the details. On [XXX] we were driving through South Dakota on the freeway; which was cold but dry and clear with no hazards and within a mile everything happened or about 45-60 seconds First, it was like the gas wasn't getting through because RPMS went from normal to almost 5000. From there, my husband started losing driving power, so he started trying to pull over. Within seconds it seemed to lose engine power as were were pulling over to the shoulder. As we were pulling over the truck gave "loss oil pressure" and then died luckily as we just made it to the shoulder. If my husband had hesitated longer we would have been stalled on the freeway not able to start the truck again. The truck was towed to a local Ford dealership. The Mechanic said it may be a Ram recall but dropped it there and did not continue researching. We called the nearby Ram dealership where the mechanic said over the phone with out actually seeing the truck that is was not a recall. No one else has yet inspected the truck. I first need to know where I'm allowed to go to find an unbiased diagnoses and fair assessment. This was and is the only issue we have ever had with this truck. Maintenance was scheduled regularly, it was well taken care of and only had 110,000 miles on it. We have already had to pay for the towing to the dealership and also the towing from the dealership in South Dakota to home in Washington State to try and get this figured out. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Engine · AL

my vehicle started knocking loudly, the all of a sudden I lost power on a 4 lane highway causing other vehicles to swerve around me. this could have been a accident if the road conditions were icy such as they are in Alberta. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership, the connecting Rods were in the bottom of the oil pan. since this incident I have learned of 2 other Eco diesels that had the same thing happen to them. These people are my friends and close aquaintances. So there must be more if I know 3 Eco diesels personally on my town.