10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,364 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ram 1500 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Aug 242018

1500

  • 26,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electric power steering rack went out 26500 miles $2700 to replace.this is a safety issue! recalled 2015 model but not 13&14! and they had problems. I guess it will take a death.

- Irvington, AL, USA

problem #31

Aug 112018

1500

  • 75,160 miles
When starting truck a dash indication of "service power steering" is displayed. Attempt to turn steering wheel and it manual steering. No assist. Turn vehicle off for 5 minutes and start again and issue returns. Vehicle is unsafe to drive without power steering.

- Plant City, FL, USA

problem #30

Jul 182018

1500

  • 100,000 miles
Driving vehicle when digital instrument cluster went black and engine stopped total loss of braking and steering assist. Loss of control of vehicle which rolled to stop. No collision or damage to vehicle. Vehicle restarts and driveable no digital information displayed. Dealer says digital instrument cluster failure. Concern definite safety risk if happened in traffic or when turning or stopping. Did the failure of the digital instrument cluster kill the engine or did something else kill the engine and the cluster. If the vehicle is driveable is it safe to drive or can expect repeat of same incident?

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #29

Jun 282018

1500

  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electric power steering quit working on 6/28/18. Vehicle had only 29000 miles at time of problem. Dodge would not cover replacement for steering rack. Dodge Ram 1500 had a recall on this steering rack in 2015. But would not cover the 2013. The coast for replacement was $2617 vehicle was in motion on city street.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #28

Jun 152018

1500

  • 36,623 miles
Driving 2013 Ram 1500 with only 36,623 miles on the odometer. Made a right hand turn at major intersection, without any warning, the steering wheel would not turn, reacted instantly applying brakes to prevent collision. At that point, the dash light illuminated steering wheel, indicating problem after the occurrence. This could have been catastrophic to others and myself, by not having steering control. After taken to the dealer, it was diagnose as electric steering module failure and part was non serviceable. To make the repair, this would require complete steering rack replacement, along with front end alignment. Having no recalls and being out of warranty, estimated repair cost $2,200. It is a disgrace, that consumers are being put into danger and then charged for poorly design product. After checking, the electric steering is a problem and other complaints have been filed. There should be a class action submitted concerning this issue, demanding compensation for this inferior steering control.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #27

May 272018

1500

  • 75,000 miles
Driving assistance features were rendered unavailable during a software update which I believe contributed to a collision. The vehicle was in motion on a highway when control was lost resulting in a crash.

- Centereach, NY, USA

problem #26

Apr 062018

1500

  • 37,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck lost electric steering when I was driving the vehicle. Safety issue, steering very hard to do manually

- Bonita Springs, FL, USA

problem #25

Mar 022018

1500

  • 75,000 miles
Power steering modular went bad thay had to replace the entire power steering rack went out when I was driving down the interstate could not turn the wheels at all

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #24

Jan 222018

1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
Steering wheel stopped working went round and round while driving. Truck has 31000 miles but out of warranty because of years. I could not steer but was fortunately barely moving in parking lot. Dodge refused to acknowledge issue of pay for repairs.

- Littleton, NH, USA

problem #23

Dec 312017

1500

  • 92,000 miles
Vehicle has electronic power steering. The computer controlling the power steering has failed at 92,000 miles. Pretty dangerous due to the size, weight & tires on a big truck like this. I understand that at 92,000 mile things fail but the computer that controls steering is dangerous. I called Chrysler and they said can't help me. It happened when the weather got cold here in atlanta.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #22

Dec 072017

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle randomly loses the power steering at both high and low speeds and can't be safely controlled. Sometimes the light comes on and sometimes it doesn't. however, it's very dangerous trying to steer such a heavy truck. This causes it to be almost impossible to steer the vehicle and if you get stuck on a highway. Good luck if you lose it and you need to make a quick turn.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #21

Jul 072017

1500

  • 28,595 miles
The electric power steering (eps) failed without warning July 7, 2017at 28559 miles while traveling at 55mph. The vehicle became dangerously difficult to steer almost resulting in an accident. Out of warranty the repair cost was $2175

- Dillsburg, PA, USA

problem #20

Oct 302017

1500

  • 78,000 miles
The complaint had to do with the complete failure of the power steering. On the morning of October 30 while driving at approximately 45 mph the steering wheel seemed to lock in place for a split second and then no power steering, I was lucky traffic was light and not in a curve, I was able to manually pull of to the side. Had this been in traffic and or a curve this could have been disastrous of myself and any nearby drivers.

- Walker, LA, USA

problem #19

Sep 082017

1500

  • 94,400 miles
Eps failure - an indicator light that is not in the manual mind you, suddenly appeared and the power steering completely stopped working. Occasionally the light will cut off and it will work again for a short time then cut back on. This is very dangerous so the truck is undrivable. There was a recall for this on some 2015 and 16 models but not 2013. I ask that mine be included. To service this will cost $2300.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #18

Aug 152017

1500

  • 59,000 miles
All steering wheel electrical function not working, including horn, air can not deploy, vehicle had this issue when new and clock spring and wiring was replaced 3 years ago, then recall was done for air bag and now the same problem. Last week almost involved in accident and could not use horn to alert other driver. Cruise control functions also do not operate, I am afraid to let wife drive with kids since air bag will not function if accident happens.

- Lake Grove, NY, USA

problem #17

Sep 092017

1500 8-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
I was driving down a city street at 45 mph and my power steering suddenly failed causing my steering wheel to lock up. The steering was so locked up I had to put all my strength into pulling over onto a side street. I had to drive into oncoming traffic lanes and park on the wrong side of the roadway. After several google searches my vehicle a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 has electric power steering and after taking the vehicle to the dealership they said the electric power steering module had failed and needs to be replaced completely. That one piece costing $1700. My truck still has power train warranty and extended "limited" warranty that does not cover the cost or the labor for the fix. After searching the web several people with the same vehicle has had the same issue. I believe that this should recalled. What happened to me was very dangerous and I was about to hit the highway going speeds of 70-75 mph. I'm just glad it happened to me in the area it did. So the total cost of labor and repair at my local Dodge dealership is $2500! I'm in no financial situation to afford this. Dodge has to have known there was a problem and for your power steering to lock up peoples lives are at stake and something needs to be done or investigated. In the mean time my Ram truck that is only a few years old will be at the dealership until I can find a way to pay for this. Thank you for your time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #16

Jun 142017

1500

  • 35,000 miles
The passenger side front wheel bearing was iniquitously greased at time of manufacture, causing failure without warning, and the front wheel came off, damaging the upper and lower control arms, break caliper, rotor, hub and wheel assembly, causing the truck to go out of control with no breaks. I have observed similar complaints on makeitsafer.com, this is a lie safety issue and could have caused a fatal accident had this happened on the highway. Fortuitously it happened on a city street at 35 mph, with no warning

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #15

Oct 232016

1500

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. After starting the ignition on the vehicle, the power steering failed. At times, the power steering appeared to work properly. The contact felt that this was a safety issue and was dangerous if the failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #14

Jun 182015

1500

  • 18,300 miles
While traveling on a paved road at about 25-30 mph, right front tire blew out. The tire was separated from inside bead all across top of tread to outside bead. Tire blowing out caused damage to fender. No evidence that the tire struck anything in the road, initial report from a Goodyear rep said that the tire just separated. Nothing was found in the road or vicinity to indicate that the tire struck anything

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #13

Jul 152016

1500

  • 55,000 miles
Shortly after buying this pickup it would stall, the dash had an red electrical indicator exposed. The power steering shut down, the brakes were no longer power brakes.. this happened at speeds up to 45 miles an hour. Never happened at high speeds. I live & drive on mountain highways, and at times it took my breath. I would apply the gas pedal, it would eventually begin running again. No matter the time of year. It wasn't every day, maybe go along 2-3 months not happens, but it might happen every day for a couple of days. I took the pickup to Town & Country dealer in alamosa co. Twice, they would drive it. The explained to fix it, they would need to see it happen. I decided to drive it. However, today I have to rely on other people to drive it, and I worry now about there safety. I decided to take a trip in September of this year, and I have a friend driving for me. So I decided to research the web on this problem, finding there were several cases of this happening to doge pickups. One fellow was driving 80 miles an hour in the "fast lane", his stalled. He recommended that if you've had this happen to notify your state attorney general. I did, they ask I file it with you. I'm not angry with my dealer, other than the fact they ask me to notify Chrysler, and I told the they should represent me as their customer with the company. I'm 77 years old, been driving over 60 years. I've never hurt another person in a wreck, but this pickup is dangerous. I could trade it in, but that isn't a christian type thing to do to another party. It's a dilemma that I have no answer for. If it were only this pickup it would be different. It's the only mode of transportation that I currently have. My driving is generally over these mountain roads, to pueblo, Colorado springs, maybe denver. Chrysler corporation needs to understand the threat this pickup is over these highways. Help

- Cuchara, CO, USA

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