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.
Turning left out of my neighborhood, the truck veered right instead. I lost control and ran up into a yard. Mechanic diagnosed rack and pinion. There is a recall but MOPAR States my VIN isn't affected. I beg to differ as we almost lost our lives.
I am submitting this report to bring attention to an ongoing issue with the power steering system in my truck, which appears to be under investigation. Notably, a similar problem led to a recall for the same vehicle in the previous year, prompting me to contribute additional information. The problem manifests as intermittent loss of power steering, resulting in increased steering difficulty while driving, accompanied by a power steering warning indicator on the instrument panel. This issue first occurred approximately 8 months ago, at intervals of about once a month, given my limited vehicle usage (estimated at 200-300 miles per occurrence). In the past two weeks, there have been 3-4 instances of this occurring. I turn the truck off and back on and everything works normally. Within the last week something new that presented is that when the wheel is turned sharp to the left or right, the steering wheel would violently jump back the opposite direction. I am willing to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. While the safety risks associated with this malfunction are numerous, the primary concern is the potential loss of steering ability at any speed, posing a significant risk of accidents resulting in severe injury or death. I have not sought professional servicing for the vehicle due to the intermittent nature of the problem, and as of now, the affected component has not undergone inspection. As previously noted above the power steering warning indicator consistently displays on my instrument panel during these occurrences until the truck is turned off and then back on. This occurs at any speed.
Starting in late winter of 2021, I began to experience several momentary instances of loss of power steering and steering fault messages in the cluster, the steering wheel was nearly impossible to move. In January of 2022, I brought the vehicle to Chrysler/Ram dealership for service of the intermittent power steering. At that time my 2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x2 had 17,000 miles of use. Dealership stated the fault was a dirty EPS connection. After service, the vehicle operated normally until nearly one year later(January 2023) when the power steering completely failed(steering fault warning on cluster) while on the interstate sixty miles from home. It was dark and raining that evening and I was forced to wrestle the vehicle home as I had no means of calling for help. It was stressful and incredibly unsafe. The first appointment available on January of 2023, I returned my truck to a Chrysler/Ram dealership for service. The dealership service department indicated that only a complete replacement of the EPS module/rack and pinion steering assembly would correct the issue. I addressed the 2016 steering recall for Ram 1500s several times with the service department, but was told that the recall did not affect my truck nor was it related to my current problem with the truck. At this time my 2016 Ram 1500 had only 20820 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the steering wheel spun in a circular motion and seized. The steering wheel warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The failure persisted and became more frequent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,800.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
- Etna, OH, USA
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2016 Ram 1500 steering failure. When my truck had around 50,000 miles, the steering wheel became near impossible to turn. Vehicle was towed to Dodge Dealership and was still under warranty and was told it was the steering box that failed. Repair was made by dealership. Truck now has around 130,000, and today, luckily while pulling into work, steering wheel locked up again while driving it and the service power steering lights started flashing. This is the 2nd time the steering in my vehicle has failed.
While driving on a highway my power steering stopped working. There is a recall for 2015-2016 Ram 1500 for power steering failure. The recall states, vehicles manufactured in January of 2015 through September of 2015 may be effected. This truck was manufactured in September of 2015. Manufacture says this is not there problem. The fact this vehicle has no power steering greatly increases the risk of myself, my family and of every other motorist on the road, especially during snowing and icy months.
My truck has the electronic steering with just over 130k miles, for some reason the electronic steering will just stop working, but no warning lights come on to the dash. When I take it to have it check it works fine. Then it will quit working again. I've read where thier is a recall on them but the dodge dealership says my truck isn't one of them.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving while the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the Chevrolet dealer it was purchased from. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer, Crystal Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (5404 S Illinois Rte 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60012), and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated the instrument cluster lights were intermittently dim and bright while driving, and the cabin light was inoperable. The contact stated while reversing into a parking spot, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the power steering became functional. Additionally, the contact stated that while making a left turn to park the vehicle, the steering wheel jerked and pulled to the right. The contact was able to pull into the parking spot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off the instrument cluster lights were illuminated and the RPMs revved up. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
The steering in the truck has gotten a lot more difficult all of a sudden. It is still drivable for now but some turns require additional force. This just happened and as such has not been taken to a garage or dealership. I have contacted FCA to see if the repairs may be covered under the recall for the EPS module if that is what this turns out to be. There were no warning lamps etc. It just got a lot harder to turn yesterday (06/02/2024)
Power steering failure this truck I believe was manufactured 12/2015 and I do not believe it was recalled originally for this problem but it has failed
Several days ago, I started to notice on my 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 (Outdoorsman edition - 5.7L Hemi V8 Engine) that my power steering is working intermittently. At first I thought I was hitting potholes or bumps in the road when turning, but the problem is getting progressively worse. My wife was very scared last night 2/1/2024 when driving the truck because she stated she was having a hard time steering. Driving the truck this morning, I noticed again and more frequently, that the power steering on the truck is working intermittently. Of course, I did what we all do, I Google searched this issue, and saw the NHTSA was doing an investigation on these issues for the 2016 series of Ram trucks, so I thought I would report this issue with my truck to the agency. The truck routinely visits automotive shops and service stations, and nobody has stated there are any issues with the electric power steering system.
Power steering went out at highway speeds. Truck was almost impossible to steer. Not yet currently at shop as of 1/25/24 Message said to service power steering immediately.
The below issue is my 2016-??s problem, only thing is my truck has a build date of 5/2016. I-??ve replaced this two times already, -??it-??s very expensive-?? to which I now have a fractured one yet again. I NEED A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS ISSUE PLEASE. It-??s my daily driver, hwy driven. ********Below recall noted******** **-301 / S32 Recall Summary The front axle half shafts may fracture and separate from the vehicle. Dealers will replace both front half shafts free of charge to resolve the concern. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured February 19, 2016, to March 3, 2016.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fishers, IN, USA