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 into our drive way, the power rack and pinion failed. Couldn't turn the wheel and drove into our yard. A red steering wheel appeared on the dash. After this happened, I have discovered this has been a recall item on many dodge ram trucks. I have tried to order a new part, but none is available. The part # is 68628858AA. I can't drive my truck and I can't get a part to fix it. The failure is a real safety issue because there is no warning, until after the failure has occured. The steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn, which results in losing control of the vehicle. This issue has to be a common occurrence, since no parts are available.
Tried to leave and the service power steering light came on and there was no power steering. We shut the truck off and started it again and the light went off and we had power steering again. This has happened on and off a few times which is consistent with the recall we were informed of. We brought our truck to the local repair shop and they told us that there is a recall for this very issue (see attached copy from them). We then contacted the Dodge dealership we purchased the truck from and was told that this is VIN number specific and that our VIN number was not included in this recall, however the recall is occurring with vehicles made between 2013-2019 and ours is a 2017. We also contacted Chrysler who told us the same thing.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test produced an unknown code. The contact stated that the 120 positive terminal fuse was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,00.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. The check power steering message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. The "Service Power Steering" message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ23003 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 55,500. The VIN was invalid.
Driving approx. 45 mph when truck lost acceleration. Truck began making clanking sound and check engine light came on and electronic throttle control light. Almost got into an accident due to someone almost rear ending me and then had to coast into a parking lot when I lost total control of all steering and almost hit a parked car. Truck would not restart, had to call for a tow back home that was 150+ miles because no dealerships close by would accept vehicle or had availability. Truck taken to local Dodge dealership and diagnosed with high pressure fuel pump failure and the eta for parts for a fix are unknown at the time. Have been without a truck or car for 2 weeks now, have 4 kids and both me and my wife work full time and now only have 1 car to get around in because the truck had to be diagnosed first before a rental could be granted, if they even give me one. Still waiting to hear back about getting a rental and been 2 weeks without a truck.
Me and my girlfriend were driving down a 2 lane highway and my ram 1500 suddenly lost power steering ability and spun out of control because the steering was very hard to steer at 55 mph. Lucky I was able to start the truck back up and slowly try to drive to a pullout with no steering help.. My girlfriend and I were very scared but grateful that our lives spared. Prior to this incident there were no warnings or signs of electronic power steering failure. After pulling away from the road shoulder we were able to drive slowly home as we we-??re about a mile from home warming lights on the instrument cluster and chiming -??Service Power Steering!-?? The truck is out of warranty so I could not afford to have the dealership repair the power steering problem.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel was firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
While driving, my Ram Power Steering completely failed. I brought to the dealership and they advised there is an internal failure of the power steering rack. I found out of an ongoing investigation by the NHTSA for this issue and wanted to make sure my VIN was included if a recall was initiated.
I have a 2017 Ram 1500 V6 3.6L (VIN [XXX] ). When I used my parking break I have noticed that there are certain issue with the steering (hard to steer) and also that the parking brake cable hanging loose. When I checked the e-brake the cable is hanging down under the truck. It looks like parking brake is engaged and stuck and doesn't provide enough tension to the cable (doesn't retract). However, I have also noticed when going at around 65 mph that there the wheel is shaking like e-brake is engaged, and it is also hard to steer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Towed travel trailer to Yellowstone. While travelling along road south of Yellowstone near Jackson, Wyoming, I completely lost power steering. Warnings on dash to not stop driving vehicle. Fought with steering in traffic, nearly crossing into oncoming traffic. Made it to visitor centre in Jackson. Had to get towed to Rexburg, Idaho. Diagnostic was critical and total failure of electronic power steering. Part $2600. 3 weeks away. Broke CV axles driving without power steering. Had to rent 3/4 ton in Idaho Falls to get our family and trailer back to Canada. Now fixed. $6000 poorer. Had to drive back 700 miles to Idaho to pick up truck.
Another one of our agency fleet vehicles: [XXX] 2017 RAM -1500 truck suddenly loss power steering. Repair shop diagnostic recommendation: replace complete steering rack and reprogram new module via tow to dealership. Cost estimate provided $2,087.75; work was paid for by USDA-NRCS-Wisconsin. If want more information on similar issue throughout agencies fleet, POC: [XXX] Senior Fleet Operations Specialist Fleet Operations East Personal Property Management Branch Management Services Division Farm Production and Conservation Business Center US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office: (816) 926-2688 Cell: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
Power steering failed driving straight down a road. This seems to be a very common and costly problem (dealership quoted $4,000). If this happens while trying to make a turn it is a guaranteed accident considering the strength it requires to turn the vehicle. This seems to be a known issue and in most cases, occurs around 60,000-80,000 miles which seems WAY too soon for this kind of issue. Dealership is also charging nearly $1,000 more for the part than the part is available to the public (direct from Mopar).
Vehicle sat for approximately 30 days. Upon starting to drive the steering was very stiff and jerky when turning. Felt like there was no power steering only manual. Extremely difficult to turn. Drove vehicle several times and tried to loosen it by rapidly turning wheel right and left at slow speeds. No improvement. Researched recalls and found multiple recalls for same issue for years other than mine. Called the dealer and Chrysler Customer Care and was told nothing they could do, VIN is not on there lists. Since there have been other year versions with the same issue I feel that the 2017 RAM 1500 should be added to a recall list.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel operated as designed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
When backing my 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 out of a stall, I suddenly lost power steering. As I tried to crank my wheels straight the issue became worse. The issue persisted until I reached a certain MPH and then returned to normal. The next day the issue was back from the moment I turned the truck on. I have researched extensively and have found recalls for this exact issue on all surrounding years of the 2017 Ram, but the dealership tells me my year is not included in this recall, which seems very odd to me. The recall listed on the website describes my issue exactly, so I am unsure why the recall wouldn't include the 2017 model. It seems that Dodge is opening themselves up to a major potential law suit. I fear that it will go out while driving at higher speeds and will cause control loss of the vehicle.
While moving across a parking lot to the back row, my truck suddenly and without warning sharply turned left. This sharp turned was not initiated by me. The turn resulted in a severe impact with a light pole concrete base, causing severe damage to the left front bumper and fender. Also caused damage to the interior steering column. Luckily no other person or vehicle was involved, and I was not injured in this event. The front wheels were lock in extreme left position. Due to the severe damage, my truck had to be towed. The tow truck driver stated that the steering was also locked. The truck has since been deemed irreparable by the insurance company. My son made me aware that there have been 59 similar issues reported with the steering of the 2017 Ram 1500.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Wales, Fl, FL, USA