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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,116 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.

2021 Ram 1500 steering problems

steering problem

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2021 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Oct 152024

1500

  • miles

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

Steering wheel/power steering sticks at a certain point when steering to the left on road curves at a lower speed. Power steering also makes grinding noise on cold start and very stiff prior to vehicle warming up. This has been brought up at the dealership during oil change service who stated that power steering service is not covered by warranty and wanted $300 to try and diagnose the issue. I mentioned that my wife drives the truck with 4 kids and power steering issues should not be something they should ignore but they didn't seem to care much. It seems like the noise is getting worse and I don't feel I should have to pay for a power steering issues on vehicle that's less than 4 years old and under 40,000 miles.

- Redmond, WA, USA

problem #25

Nov 292024

1500

  • 75,327 miles
The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction contract warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering and the service brakes did not function as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the steering was inoperable and very hard to steer. The contact stated that snow was on the ground and due to the failure, the contact's vehicle crashed into a concrete curve. The contact stated that when the vehicle crashed into the concrete curve, the service brakes and the steering were independently reset. The vehicle was damaged on the front driver's side rim, however, the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was being towed to the local tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,327. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Berkley, MI, USA

problem #24

Oct 302024

1500

  • miles
The Electronic Power Steering malfunction while driving. The -??Service Power Steering-?? warning light was illumiated and no power assisted steering was available during failure. The vehicle was nearly impossible to steer off the highway. Luckily other drivers were paying attention and were able to steer clear of me. Waited about an hour in a parking lot with the Truck off and when I restarted it Power Steering was working again. The Truck was brought to the Dealership and I was told they were unable to replicate the issue and to bring it back if it does. I also started hearing a grinding sound when making a slow right hand turn. After the 3rd occurance of losing Power Steering while driving I brought it back to the Dealer and they replaced the steering rack. After about a year the replacement rack is exhibiting the same symptoms. I tow a 5th wheel trailer and if I lose Power Steering while hauling that heavy load myself and others around me can be seriously injured.

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #23

Oct 052024

1500

  • miles

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

My lights on dash come on stablizer, abs, anti slip and 4 wheel drive and it wants to jerk to left like brake activating had it looked at poages Hannibal mo fixed wheel speed sensor didn't help so now said nothing they can do theres no solution. I can't drive my truck to scared of it. Need to get something I don't have a vehicle and making a payment on something I can't drive. Don't know if I can trust this vehicle anymore can't trade it In nobody wants it please somebody help GET RAM company in gear to take care of this before somebody gets hurt or even killed

- Hannibal, MO, USA

problem #22

Sep 062024

1500

  • miles
Steering went out as I was turning -??right-??onto the street we live. The vehicle would not turn thus causing the rear end to hit a storm drain and slash the side wall of my right rear tire. The tire immediately went flat. It took me several minutes to inch back and forth to get the truck into my drive and out of the street. I contacted the Ram dealer here in Flowood, Ms and got a car hauler to come get it the next morning. When we rolled it back to allow the car hauler room to winch it up, three of the tires and wheels were straight but the right front was positioned at a 45* angle inwards. Service department at dealer said it was an internal issue and they would order the part. That was Friday [XXX]. I got it back on Friday [XXX]. I called Ram during this time and they gave me a case number and a case manager. I told the case manager what happened and his comment was -??wow-??. I explained to him that I felt it was a serious issue bc I could have been traveling at a higher rate of speed than what I was. He said he has one other case with the same issue. I have never had a vehicle that the steering went out. This truck has just under 50k miles and all miles are street or highway. Case #with Ram [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #21

Aug 262024

1500

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while reversing, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the wheels were turned to the left during the failure. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the service trailer brake message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to release the steering column to place the vehicle on the lift. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion and steering column needed to be replaced, but the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- Monroeville, PA, USA

problem #20

Jul 132024

1500

  • 38,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering function failed to operate as intended. Additionally, the electronic power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the electronic power steering warning light was off. The contact stated that the electronic power steering function was reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was advised that if the failure should reoccur, the rack and pinion would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Sylvania, OH, USA

problem #19

Jan 222024

1500

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and steering to the right, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the upper steering column assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to partially cover the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #18

Jan 202024

1500

  • miles
Two months after I bought the truck in late 2021 I noticed the steering wheel would jerk causing me to swerve, and then the power steering completely failed. I took the truck to the dealership, and the problem disappeared while I was there. The dealership couldn-??t recreate the issue. Then it happened again. I took a video and took it to the dealer who replaced the steering assembly in February 2023. No issues until yesterday, January 20, 2024. The same thing happened again! Power steering completely failed! The car is now out of warranty, yet this is the third time the issue happened, even after the dealer replaced the part. This is not safe! I had my child with me when this happened yesterday, and we almost crashed into a parking garage column.

- Hampstead, MD, USA

problem #17

Jun 012023

1500

  • miles
The turn signal self-cancelling feature does not function properly. Specifically, the left hand turn signal does not disengage. This has become a safety risk as I am unaware that it does not disengage on some occasions. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer/manufacturer.

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #16

Oct 302023

1500

  • miles

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

In approximately August 2021 the vehicle stopped operating at highway speeds. When the vehicle stopped operating, it caused the auto parking brake to engage as well as the engine to shut down. All steering was lost and it caused my vehicle to skid off the side of the roadway. since then, numerous other electronic failures have happened in the car even after multiple attempts for warranty service to include additional engine failures luckily, at stoplights the vehicle is currently in the shop again for additional electrical problems related to the start stop button in the vehicle, it appears that ram does not take responsibility for the defect, and this should be investigated. If I would have been near any trees, pedestrians other vehicles or buildings, I would-??ve surely run into them without any control whatsoever over my vehicle.

- Oak Point, TX, USA

problem #15

Aug 222023

1500

  • miles
Has happened a few different times but didn't know what was happening. I'm driving, yesterday was on the highway at 65mph and my truck suddenly "stalls out" for a few seconds! I almost lose control of the vehicle! No power steering no brakes no control and then all of a sudden comes back on. Cars going behind me are driving around me. Scariest thing ever happened while driving. I first noticed it a year ago but was not a interstate wasn't as scary. Then has happened through out the year 4 or 5 more times. The VIN says no recalls but it sounds exactly like the powertrain control module problem. My truck is a hemi 5.7-liter engine that is randomly stalling multiple times now almost causing me to wreck!

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #14

May 062023

1500

  • miles
For past month have been getting "service power steering" mssg when starting truck with no power steering..turn truck off it resets and all is fine. Yesterday 6/7/23 started truck now light stays 9n and have had intermittent loss at times with power steering called dealer and have appointment Wednesday 6/14/23 for recall issue and this problem at Shivley Motors in chambersburg PA. Have been reading forum about this issue and will update upon diagnosis from dealer. My vehicle has the electronic steering assist so there is no pump or fluid that I am able to check it is all incased in a gear box and seems that 2013 thru 2019 had recall for this issue. I am concerned of my loss of steering driving to myself and passengers. Dealer did not seem concerned which concerns me this writing is document.

- Saint Thomas, PA, USA

problem #13

Apr 112023

1500

  • miles
I had issues with the electrical systems on various occasions. There were times when the vehicle shut down in middle of driving while other times some functions such as keyless entry or auto braking didn't work. I took the vehicle to the dealership on 3 separate occasions and they said that they could not recreate the issues but rewired the system. I still had issues and was told that as long as the engine light is not blinking it is safe to drive. On 4/11/2023 while driving full speed on the highway, the electrical system stopped and i lost brakes and steering. This caused me to crash into the car in front of me. In addition, the auto braking did not engage and the airbags did not deploy

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #12

Apr 122023

1500

  • miles
In the last week, truck shut down in the middle of acceleration in the middle of an intersection. All truck electronics shut down completely for 30 min, even the ability to lock and unlock vehicle. Today, while going 49 miles an hour, the breaks and steering shut down completely for several minutes.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 072022

1500

  • miles
vehicle stalled and shut off while merging into traffic. Dash lit up and ebrake engaged. No check engine light after incident.Extremely unsafe and could have caused an accident on coming traffic had to swerve out the way to avoid an accident. No prior warnings and has happened twice now.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #10

Apr 042022

1500

  • miles
While starting to drive forward or backward turning, there is a shutter vibration felt slightly heard. It also has grinding shutter vibration at turn in intersection during the turn. The dealer on the 3 complaint visit replaced a front passenger CV Joint and bearing, upon picking the truck up it did it immediately again. Could not return as it was the service department closing time. There is also vibration grinding around 50 mph and up. Dealer states they can not duplicate issue. This is abnormal and concerns me as in a turn or higher speed, something breaks will put my family's lives and other motorist in danger. Also when using AC defrost vent stays open and will cause dew on the windshield.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #9

Jul 162022

1500

  • miles
While driving my vehicle a message came up stating (service Power steering) at which point I completely lost power steering. This almost caused an accident as I was towing 6500lb boat/trailer and had little to no control with my steering. The power steering lost function twice and after letting truck set for couple of hours the power steering functioned again. Note this is a Electric Power Steering (EPS) I am 2nd owner and vehicle is under mfg warranty but when I dropped it off at Dodge Dealership I found out that the truck was in at 5000 miles due to same issue and the rack and pinion was replaced. This issue has reoccurred at 8885 miles and poses a definite safety issue.. I am waiting for follow up from the service department to advise what the issue is, however after researching on line found this has been a common issue and I have not seen any recalls on the rack and pinon and EPS Power steering.

- Tulare, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 282022

1500

  • miles
Engine shut off from a quick stop. After I pressed the gas to go again rolled through intersection and stopped. Had to be put in park restarted and take the e-brake off to get to go again

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #7

Feb 022022

1500

  • miles
After letting the truck warm up for at least 3 to 5 minutes, got in the truck and drove less than a mile and came to a second stop the engine stalled. Also I do not have the E torque system. I've also had an issue from day one a purchase of the truck and even filed a complaint with FCA about my stability control activating on certain turns under 30 miles an hour.

- Henderson, NV, USA

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