What 1,251 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab

I was driving and my power steering light cane on and the power steering went out

NHTSA ODI 11749837

Ram has a known issue with the air suspension giving out which can cause the lights to shine up in the air or lower on the pavement. This can also lead to one side dipping or leaning which makes driving difficult at best. It’s such a known problem many individuals opt to delete the suspension and go with one of the many after market shock replacements. Have not had it in the shop because of age. Does air down over time or dip. Love this truck and it only has 18K miles on it so not over use.

NHTSA ODI 11748706

I was on my way to work, and the power steering stopped working as I was making a turn. The power sterring light came on in the dash. The mechanic told me he had worked on a few with the same issue, and that it was probably the rack, but he checked the fuses and wiring first. A new rack is $3800.

NHTSA ODI 11748848

Abs module shut down causing truck to lose control. Now all drive train systems are locked out

NHTSA ODI 11748866

My power steering stopped functioning all of a sudden when driving on the road. I had to steer after that with much force and taking up almost two lanes when turning

NHTSA ODI 11748068

EPS (Electronic Power Steering) failed while driving. Red steering wheel with exclamation point lights up on dash and loss of steering. Local dealership blamed it on low mileage and lots of city driving when I called them about repairs. They are a week out or more just to diagnose the issue. It has just over 95k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11748074

While driving and making a left hand turn at a major intersection my electronic power steering failed and put myself and my passenger at risk as it was extremely difficult to make the turn and my truck ended up hitting the curb before completing the turn. There was the potential to hit pedestrians or other vehicles if I had not been able to turn the steering wheel manually. It was confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by any other individuals or entities. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to this immediate failure during a turn. Following the failure of the power steering a warning lamp appeared on the dash that said service power steering and stayed on.

NHTSA ODI 11747725

Loss of power steering during turning. Steering wheel goes stiff and bucks while warning lights light up. After turning vehicle off and checked fuses for electronic steering it worked and then later it occurred again while pulling into main road.

NHTSA ODI 11747835

Vehicle steering became extra hard to steer. Has now been parked for about 12-24 months as could not steer. Not enough personal strength to move/steer it.

NHTSA ODI 11746810

Started vehicle this morning 6-25-26 and noticed the power steering light flashing. Shut off truck and started again but light still flashing. This is the first time this has happened as I have driven the truck everyday without any issues before.

NHTSA ODI 11746454

Power steering goes in and out while driving which causes the steering wheel to get very stiff and lose the ability to steer the half-ton vehicle. This is a huge flaw in the design and wildly unsafe

NHTSA ODI 11746277

The electronic steering suddenly went out while driving. Became an intermittent issue for a couple days and then fully died all the components and fuses have been checked. Just a service steering light on the dash is on, once the problem started. I am an independent technician. The vehicle can be inspected at any time. There was no warnings or any symptoms the power steering just turned off and became incredibly hard to use.

NHTSA ODI 11745904

The power steering stopped working several times on a local trip I was on today. The steering unexpectedly became hard to steer, and the power steering failure alarm came on. I parked my vehicle at my destination, and when I started to return home, the steering failed again as i was leaving the Dr's parking lot. I am taking the vehicle with the suspected component, in for repairs, and will retain the part for NHTSA inspection. The first failure occurred as I was entering freeway traffic, and it caused my truck to change trajectory and speed while entering 70 mph traffic. I am taking the vehicle in for evaluation and repair on 6/23/26. There were no warnings or alarms prior to the failure, on either incident of failure. The alarm light came on during the failure both times.

NHTSA ODI 11745763

Electronic Power Steering failure. It is available for inspection on request although we can not move the truck. Do to no steering and we do not want to damage anything else by driving it. Luckily we were not traveling at the time. This happened yesterday. We have not taken it to a repair facility. In reviewing these problems on line. Everything matches what we have read concerning other Electronic Power Steering problems on our 2013 Ram truck . How the problem occurred: I backed the truck from the garage. parked it in the driveway to work on my mower in that space. When returning the truck to the garage. No steering and the notification light came on. Requesting service on power steering unit. I barely got it into the garage. This is a 2013 truck. Purchased in 2013 only has 42000 miles on it. We bought it with only 10000 miles on it. It has been in a garage most of it's life. According to your information : out of 1234 (complaints on you web site) 597 were for this exact Power Steering issue. Out of 526 "Manufacture Communication" none deal with loss of Power Steering. I see there is 1 investigation still open. Questioning why there is no recall on these units. I don't know how many of the other complaints have more usage of their vehicles but 42000 miles on a 2013 vehicle and a well cared for vehicle should not have an issue happen just all of a sudden. I am certainly glad we were not out driving. We live on gravel roads and no steering could have cause an accident. This is a life changing situation just waiting to happen Please reply with intentions toward this complaint. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11745361

The electric power steering light came on and has caused difficulties driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11745258

The contact owns 2013 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, when attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned the vehicle off, turned the vehicle on and the vehicle began to work as intended. The contact mention after reentering the vehicle attempting to start after five minutes the vehicle began to work as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 19E077000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they referred to call NHTSA to have his VIN recalled. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11745125

Complete and sudden loss of power steering assistance. Occurred June 11, 2026.No warnings prior to failure.Failure occurred in my driveway thankfully. No accident or injuries. Diagnostics performed by owner to determine electrical failure within the EPS.

NHTSA ODI 11743871

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a slight right turn, the power steering suddenly failed. The Power Steering failure warning light was flashing. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact inspected the fuses, disconnected the power steering, and continued driving; however, the failure recurred approximately 10 minutes later. The contact was able to drive to the residence with manual steering. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.

NHTSA ODI 11743439

Will driving in the rain my abs brakes, traction control, and 4wheel drive went out all the sudden causing me to lose control crash into the back of the vehicle in front of me. There was no warning no sound just light everywhere and all the safety items that make me truck worth buying gone. I even spent extra money to have 4 wheel drive. After the accident I found out that this is happening so often that the part to fix my brakes, traction control, and 4 wheel drive is 2 years out and now is no longer made. So now I’m supposed to drive a once 4 wheel drive truck that is now 2 wheel drive. It also no longer has abs brakes just reqular brakes and no traction control so now everytime it rains no matter how fast I’m going I’m sliding all over the place. I bought this truck to have the vehicle that was able to pick daughter up and rain sleet or snow and now I have to use my fiance suv to pick her up even on sunny days. I whole reason to buy my truck is now gone. It’s literally a car that looks like a truck and it’s a car from the 80s before abs was a thing

NHTSA ODI 11743114

2013 Ran 1500 with 120000 miles. Service Anti-lock Brake System advisory message. Truck will start but will not switch into gear.

NHTSA ODI 11743229

Power steering failure, known issue with stellantis, EPS. Failure to be able to control vehicle. Yes and independent service center confirmed malfunction and inspected by mechanic. No warning lamps or other messages appeared prior to failure.

NHTSA ODI 11743232

The electric power steering (EPS) suddenly failed while driving. Loss of this system created an unsafe situation in which it was extremely difficult to hold the vehicle within the appropriate driving lanes and especially difficult to make any turns at intersections. The problem occurred on June 2, 2026, the failure was confirmed by an independent service center and the vehicle is currently at the center awaiting replacement of the entire EPS. A warning message was displayed immediately when the EPS failed by showing a red steering wheel followed by an exclamation point (!)

NHTSA ODI 11742242

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was at a stoplight, the fuel tank detached. The driver was able to reconnect the tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11738823

Steering is loose and unresponsive at times. Just bought the 2013 truck, used, from a dealer. Dealer stated no issues, but discovered while driving it home on the highway. Feels very unsafe and by researching other complaints, with same make and model, it appears this is a serious issue replicated across many different owners, with similar make/model/year.

NHTSA ODI 11738540

Unknown power steering just stopped working and vehichle wont drive

NHTSA ODI 11738410