Just pulled out of the garage, put it into drive, and some red words were displayed for about 5 to 15 seconds stating something to the effect that “your steering is inoperative, take to dealer or something like that,
2020 Ram 1500 steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 65 of 65, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle steering locked while driving at highway speed, dealer tested system and replaced a can bus switch. Upon driving home from dealership (after fixing) the steering once again failed. Luckily no one was injured. We did get a warning steering failed only after the steering locked and was immobile. This is the most critical part of a vehicle and should not fail in under 50,000 miles and fail to the point of uncontrollable. This is a horrible design, someone is going to get killed if this does not get addressed and Stellantis recalls these faulty components.
While driving from Abilene, tx to Houston, tx on [XXX] my vehicle displayed intermittently several warning message. The first message said idle-stop was unavailable and lasted for about 30 minutes. The second message was displayed in red and stated the electric steering was inoperative and lasted for about 10-30 seconds and it was definitely harder to turn the steering wheel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Update to Complaint 11594199 filed on June 13, 2024 While driving the vehicle to the Ram dealership the power steering went out again and stayed out until I arrived at the dealership. I received a call today from the service department advising that the entire power steering rack has to be replaced. There is a fault in the control unit. Estimated repair cost $3,500.00.
The electronic power steering has stopped working three times in the last couple of weeks. It stops working and will stay out for 15 to 30 seconds or until the truck is shut off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a local RAM dealer, and they advised that could not find any failure codes in the history. When the power steering cuts out the dashboard displays a warning to service the power steering. The vehicle is extremely had to steer when the power steering cuts out. When I picked up the vehicle at the dealer, they completed an oil change and recall on the tailgate but there was no mention of the main reason I took the vehicle in for service which was the loss of power steering. The service writer stated he did not list that since they did not charge me for the power steering diagnosis. If he listed, it there would be an additional charge on my bill. The loss of power steering is a safety hazard since it makes the vehicle very hard to steer and makes any turns or sudden changes in direction to avoid potential hazards impossible.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH around a curve, the vehicle failed to turn properly. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to veer the vehicle to the shoulder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Steering Rack and Pinion - Began malfunctioning (noise, and vibration when turning) at less than 10,000 miles. I visited Ram Dealer several times between 10,000 - 34,000 miles and they stated they could not replicate the issue. I drove the vehicle with their technical and they agreed there was an issue. Finally they replaced the Steering System when it had about 34,000 miles. This is a potential safety issue. Drive Selector Switch - I have had 3 selector switches (move from Park to Drive, reverse, etc.) malfunction and require replace (started in side of standard warranty), they appear to be replacing faulty part with same part. Most recent repair in April 2024 only lasted about 150 miles before the device went bad again. This is a potential safety issue. Radio - My 12" radio has been replaced 3 times. At times it impacts the controls of the vehicle features, heating, air-conditioning, etc. Starting at less than 10,000 miles inside normal warranty. Water Leak - I have a rear cabin water leak...mold and mildew in car (39,000 miles). The dealer did an initial inspection and said it had a know issue...back window and/or brake light leaks and requires further evaluation. This is a health issue - due to mold and mildew.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering soon warning light illuminated and the steering wheel jerked in the opposite direction. The contact almost struck a moose due to the failure of the power steering. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The following day when the vehicle was started, the power steering warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and diagnosed with a failed power steering rack. The contact stated that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000. The VIN was not available. I was involved in an accident The contact stated due to power steering going out he hit a moose and damaged the front end of the vehicle and now the vehicle has $6500.00+ worth of damages done to the front end of the vehicle.
Upon inspection the rack and pinion failed and needs replacing. At the time of the failure i was getting ready to make a left hand turn with traffic to my left and i had to forcibly turn the vehicle almost hitting the vehicle to my left. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership and independent warranty inspector and determined the rack and pinion failed. There was a steering failure waring that appeared when the loss of power steering occurred.
Driving at highway speeds, power steering disengages. Drove for about one mile and it reengaged. This repeated itself multiple times and at multiple speeds. Was able to steer but vehicle had no power steering assist. This posed a high risk of accident with injury or death. Have not taken vehicle to the dealer as of yet. Power steering warning indicators displayed during incident.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole and made a loud popping sound. The steering wheel became stiff, and the contact jerked the steering wheel to prevent a crash. The steering wheel then inadvertently spun, and the contact slammed on the brake pedal and applied the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The power steering assist, brakes, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column and clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Vibration and noise when turning. We have taken it to the Dodge dealers 5 time and they said nothing found until last visit after truck was through warranty. They report a new steering pump is needed. This issue first appeared in 2021 and was dismissed by the dealer mechanics. The dear was able to feel and hear issue when driving the truck. This steering issue poses a safety issue every time we drive the truck.
While making a right turn from a stop, I lost all steering almost running into the car adjacent.
When turn I hear a rubbing grinding sound and the right front wheel shudders and vibrates when driving
November of 2022 I took my truck to the lithium dealership in Reno NV for an exhaust leak they reported back to me that they replaced the manifold passenger side. two weeks later exhaust leak returned they informed me that it was a lifter tick and there was no exhaust leak this was at 51,000 miles. The problem got worse I took it back to them twice with both times I'm telling me it was a lifter tick, but I could smell exhaust in the cab of the vehicle. Now that the truck is out of warranty it's 61,000 miles the exhaust leak got so bad I took it to a different dealership where they have found both exhaust manifolds were leaking and now that it's out of warranty the extended warranty has taken over. but with that said now I am without a car because the extended warranty does not cover loaner cars. the manifolds are both on national back order. the sad part about this is the lithium dealership said they replaced the exhaust manifold and they did not according to the Carson dodge dealership the manifolds were never changed. Apparently this is a known problem with these vehicles and the parts are on national back order. I just find it very disgusting that a dealership would kick the can down the road just so they didn't have to replace the exhaust manifolds or give me a rental car while my truck was sitting there so now I have my truck in the dealership with no ETA on when I'll get it back I'm having to rent a car on my own and still make a truck payments. Don't know if this is a common practice with Ram/Chrysler but this is a despicable way to do business. The second problem is the power steering assist stops working while I'm driving that is also at the dealership waiting for parts that are on national back order.
Electric power steering failure at 36,000 miles. Warranty ended at 35,000
Brakes grind at random and brake pedal when pressed goes to the floor resulting in having to let off brake pedal and pump it back up which has caused me to nearly hit vehicles at stop signs, stop lights or heavy traffic. Information center also keeps going out and when that happens my power steering has also went out causing issues with steering.
Truck was going at 40 MPH and power steering went out, brakes went out and truck started to accelerate resulting in a serious crash. Vehicle was totaled out but not inspected by Dodge. There was no warning of any problems with truck.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 -40 mph, the wheels were moving back and forth, and the steering wheel was shaking. The parking brake not available message was displayed. The traction control warning indicator light was flashing and the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his left wrist and medical attention was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 38,600.
Bought new Ram 1500 BigHorn in March 2020. In August 2021, I noticed on long left curves, my steering would stick at the 10-11 o'clock position and remains in that position coming out of the curve when I tug the steering wheel to the right. Since it was out of warranty for an alignment, I brought it to a Firestone 2 weeks ago for the alignment. I noticed the issue again and brought it back to Firestone where they did another alignment. They suggested its a rack and pinion issue. Today, September 13th, I called the only 2 RAM dealers in town and explained my situation and they said it could be weeks for them to get parts. This is my only vehicle and I am driving it from Arizona to North Carolina to relocate for a new job. I wanted this documented in case something happens on my 2200 mile trip that is caused by the steering. Thanks.
Steering wheel locked up while car was moving. Was able to replicate. Seems intermittent though. Towed to the dealership, wasn't locking then. Service Representative confirmed they have seen this before and seemed to know exactly what to do. Scary - life safety issue!
Was pulling out of the gas station & the dash started to blink. As soon as it blinked the steering became almost impossible to steer. I am not weak by any means & I could barely turn. It almost caused me to crash if I wasn't going under 10mph. This is going to kill someone doing highway speeds. I was pulling out of the love's gas station in mead kansas around 6:40pm on march 23rd 2021.
While driving, out of the blue my truck will pull out of center and sometimes sticks when trying to pull it back. Does this mostly in left turns or on the highway. Is very dangerous and almost crashed on wet road. Took to dealer and they couldn't find problem. Took me only 5 minutes to find numerous complaints on line for the same safety issue. Some said that the rack and pinion was replaced by the dealer and the problem was fixed. I need to have this fixed before someone gets killed.
I have owned a 2020, ram 1500 limited edition since march 2020. When driving the steering sticks in the 11:00 position. If I release hand off wheel and steering remains in position. I have to pull the wheel back to 12:00 position. This problem started occurring about 2 months ago and has progressively been getting worse. I travel 1500 to 2000 miles a month and afraid I may over correct especially in heavy traffic. Spoke with dealership and they said this was the 1st they have heard of this issue. Have not found a solution to the problem. I will be taking the truck back to dealership sat july 25, 2020.
I was driving in the highway at 65mph while steering power shut off and warning on dash came on saying power steering was disengaged. I pulled off the highway shut vehicle off checked under hood and nothing. Got back on vehicle started it and warning had gone away and steering was ok. Drove for about 10 miles and it happened again. I was told to drive vehicle to dealer and they said it was a problem with the battery. Vehicle was in shop for a day. They called and said problem was fixed. I left the dealer, drive 40 miles and it happened again. Took it back. And now they don't know what the problem is. Very unsafe vehicle. Power steering goes off randomly. Im glad I didn't have my family with me. Truck is very hard to control with no power steering. I also noticed while driving to the dealer the instrument panel would go dim and then back to normal.
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