What 858 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Trx

Our vehicle was a 2017 Ram 1500 crew Cab 4x4. We’re getting near to Goldfield Nevada. I saw this town to my left when I remarked about the town to my wife, we were going the speed limit of 70 mph about 2PM in the afternoon than all of a sudden steering went erratic, twisting and turning us all over the highway to strong for me to hold with no warning lights, Genie yelled out what is going on, I slammed on the brakes and the steering forced us off the road and rolled our vehicle close to two time over. My wife and I escaped with bruises and small cuts. Backs still hurt. I just had spent over $8500.00 on services including a new computer timing ring replacement new intake manifold and new ventilated brakes , tires had over 92% tread on them upgraded wheels I could not control the steering at all. All I could do was slam the brakes down trying to stop all of it and come to a halt. Steering twisted us all over the highway. I left a quite a stretch a rubber on the highway as we left the roadway and hit the loose gravel dirt and flipped over into a rocky ditch. This totaled our vehicle my wife and I had to be extricated through the front windshield and by a miracle did not need to go to the hospital. I’ve been in touch with [XXX] at Progressive. The vehicle was towed to Tonopah NV we have pictures that we sent to [XXX] at Progressive. I told [XXX] the brain box needs to be preserved along with the brake system for further investigation. I have learned now through my research as there is a problem with this type of electronic steering system. This vehicle types has to cause major accidents and an ongoing lawsuit. I’ll be contacting attorneys to let him know what happened and I know you need to know what happened also because the ongoing problems with these models 2013 through 2018 with the EPS. Sincerely [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11717945

Truck suddenly lost power, and no power steering assistance at all. Had it checked out by mechanic and mechanic stated a new Rack and Pinion was needing costing over 2 Grand.

NHTSA ODI 11717141

Electric power steering failure. (EPS) the Eapas system has failed and now it’s causing my steering to be extremely rough and almost impossible to drive. I have now taken it to a Dodge/Ram dealership and they have confirmed EPS failure on my truck. This happened while I was driving trying to make a turn, almost caused me to get hit but luckily that did not happen.

NHTSA ODI 11714700

Power steering failed on two seperate occasions. Both times i was moving at a slow rate of speed and was able to safely exit the roadway. Both times check power steering warning light came on after the fact. I feel this is a real safety issue. This vehicle only has 27000 miles on it

NHTSA ODI 11712560

Lost all power steering.

NHTSA ODI 11711903

Electric power system failure causing sudden loss of power steering assist. Safety hazard steering locks up while driving requiring extreme effort to turn creating crash risk. Codes: C2217-00 and U11E8-00 Connections to Recalls: My vehicle exhibits the exact failure mode covered by recalls 16V-167 and 19E-077, but my VIN was not included despite having identical symptoms and diagnostic codes. The problem occurred about a month ago 12/15/2025. There was a warning message on the Dash and Loss of Power steering while driving. We took it to our trusted mechanic and multiply codes came up: C2217-00, U11E8-00, U0155-00, U0415-00 and C2128-00

NHTSA ODI 11711647

Sudden loss of power steering first occurred in early 2025. Truck was towed to nearby auto shop and it was deemed that the eps system had failed. Geico deemed I was not at fault and that it was likely due to moisture getting in the system. The steering rack and pinion was replaced with insurance and then in January 2026, the same issue occurred again despite not throwing any previous check engine light codes.

NHTSA ODI 11711480

ABS,BRAKE Warning lights on. Brakes locked up during emergency stop which resulted in loss of steering control. Cleared ABS code and it immediately reappears. Appears ABS Module is defective. When I called dealership to order ABS module was told not available due to engineering hold. I know other year Ram models have active recall on same issue and component.

NHTSA ODI 11710588

Electric Power Steering failed

NHTSA ODI 11710816

loss of EPS, no the vehicle has not been inspected yet, no prior symptoms . drove vehicle to store and parked in parking lot, when returned to vehicle, no power steering with warning lamps

NHTSA ODI 11709039

The electronic power steering rack failed. We have had consistent temperatures near 0°f, with highs rarely above freezing for the past couple weeks. The motor and circuit panel for the steering rack built up enough water to freeze solid and completely lock the steering, luckily in the yard so I didn't have to go get my wife from work. But I've had to sideline my work both to work on it, and so my wife can take my truck to her job as this is her truck. I thawed the unit and re sealed the seam by the motor, as well as the cover over the circuit panel. Some part of it appears to have shorted out as it won't work now that it's been thawed, and is giving a message on the dash to service power steering. No prior issues, or warnings that something was failing. Glad it didn't fail last week when my wife and one year old daughter were on the road visiting family hours away. I can barely afford to buy a vehicle any more, never mind take one to a dealer or other shop for repairs. Plus I'm an hour from any of them, and at least 2 weeks wait to get in. I did try to get an answer from a couple of them. I do all my own repairs. I just can't fathom how putting sensitive electrical components underneath a 4wd truck and relying on a half hearted dab of silicone to seal them against the elements is a good idea. What was wrong with good old hydraulic power steering. I'm waiting for a cost and timeframe to get a replacement currently.

NHTSA ODI 11708669

Steering goes in and out, stability control keeps acting up and light stays on, and service braking. Contacted RAM dealership, and was told that the recall was already completed before I owned it. It seems odd that the same symptoms are showing up again. I can’t drive the truck safely. The steering locks up and hard to turn. The anti-lock brakes are activated when using brakes.

NHTSA ODI 11707091

The Electronic Power Steering system failed on my Ram 1500 and it became extremely difficult to steer the truck. It created a very unsafe condition to drive the vehicle and Stellantis doesn't cover this VIN in the existing safety recall for this steering system on other Ram trucks.

NHTSA ODI 11706855

As I was driving onto the highway, my battery low voltage indicator came on and shortly after my power steering failed. I had this issue earlier this year in April 2025 and replaced the old battery with a new one but after this incident, I don’t think it’s the battery anymore. I believe it’s the Electric Power Steering system.

NHTSA ODI 11706435

I was driving the vehicle and suddenly the power steering became difficult to steer. It has happened to me on several occasions often in situations where an accident could have been caused with my family in tow.

NHTSA ODI 11703405

The electronic power steering system failed Without warning. The truck became very difficult to steer and put my family in danger. I took the truck to a garage and the mechanic confirmed that it was the electronic power steering. There were absolutely no warnings at all before it failed.

NHTSA ODI 11703372

My truck doesn’t display a light and the steering doesn’t work. I can’t move the wheel. I have not had inspection done yet as I need to find a way to tow it.

NHTSA ODI 11699333

My 2017 Ram 1500 suffered a complete failure of the electronic power steering (EPS). The truck became unsafe to drive — steering assist cut out suddenly, and warning lights appeared. A professional mechanic removed the rack-and-pinion and found it completely filled with water and mud, despite no external damage. This is a sealed electronic unit — contamination like this points directly to a manufacturing defect. FCA issued Recall S19 (NHTSA 16V-167) for this same EPS failure in 2015–2016 models, yet they refuse to help because my VIN isn’t “covered.” This is unacceptable. Same part, same failure, same safety risk. The truck only has 63k miles, and an active NHTSA investigation (2023) and recent class actions (2024–2025) confirm this is a widespread problem. I’m asking NHTSA to push for a full recall expansion and hold FCA accountable. This is a serious safety issue with real consequences. My steering wheel completely locked up while I was driving with my 5 year old daughter in the truck on Christmas Day no less. It could have been much worse.

NHTSA ODI 11696908

Power steering completely lost power and couldn’t control the truck, almost got into a collision

NHTSA ODI 11695957

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure occurred while starting the vehicle after the vehicle had not been driven for more than a day. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering column shaft. The contact stated that the steering column shaft would be sprayed with lubricant, which would temporarily correct the failure; however, the failure returned after consistent driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11694833

Loss of power steering in cold temperatures with electronic power steering.

NHTSA ODI 11693739

The drive shaft and both sides of the front half shaft are bad creating damage to front tires. Mechanic said it seems to be a big problem arrising with Rams that shouldn't be going bad.

NHTSA ODI 11682981

Driving and powersteering takes over or quits working and makes it dangerous turning. Electric powersteering switch/sensor failure making the truck uncontrollable while taking a turn

NHTSA ODI 11677631

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675931

Power steering will turn off randomly while driving. It makes it very hard to turn and is extremely dangerous to drive. It is a safety hazard for me, my family, and anybody on the road nearby. The problem has happened multiple times with no warning. The power steering will work fine for a period of time but randomly cut off. Vehicle was brought to a dealer but they are unable to replicate the issue while the steering is working. Upon further research, this seems to be an issue with many trucks of this make and model. The part to replace it (electronic power steering assembly) is on back order or out of stock due to so many of these trucks having this issue. Again this is extremely dangerous and deserves a recall at minimum.

NHTSA ODI 11674998