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

The transmission control valve is taking over the truck. It is a huge safety concern. You have NO CONTROL over the vehicle when it happens.

NHTSA ODI 11673520

Power steering module failure

NHTSA ODI 11670698

I was on a 4 hour drive to Ohio and got to my hotel parking lot, started unpacking and my service power steering like came on. Took it into a shop just down the road and it was a struggle to turn it. they told me the rack and pinion went out. Glad I wasn't on the freeway when this happened.

NHTSA ODI 11670081

Electronic power steering stopped working.

NHTSA ODI 11670087

At 60,000 miles I started experiencing power steering failure at random times. Speed of vehicle or time of year did not matter. Vehicle becomes extremely difficult to steer. This is the electronic steering rack. This has been continuing on for 20,000+ miles and I cannot take it anymore. I feel like I have gotten a lemon and I am continuing to put myself and others at risk. I will not allow other members of my family to drive this vehicle because of the safety concerns. I am aware of no recall on the 2017 remodel year but there is on the previous year - which is when my vehicle was manufactured. There were no warnings when this started happening...no check engine light or other issues. I recently had an inspection and quote (attached) to repair but is cost prohibitive at the moment. I am honestly considering legal action if possible.

NHTSA ODI 11669641

The Service Power Steering light came on while I was driving my truck on I80 and left me with no power steering.While I was driving on the interstate there were several times where the vehicle didn't want to turn unless I really jerked on the steering wheel which in turn jerked the truck into the passing lane once the wheels turned and came close on 2 occasions of hitting the vehicle in the passing lane. I was able to get it home and to the garage and my steering rack needed to be replaced at a cost of $2319.16 + tax. I see that there was a recall for this exact problem for Ram trucks up to year 2016 but unfortunately mine is a 2017. I have been on many forums and there are so many others out there with a 2017 or newer Ram that has this exact same problem so this isn't a "my truck" problem this is a Ram problem that needs to be recalled before accidents are caused by this (which I'm sure some accidents have already happened due to the steering rack).

NHTSA ODI 11668848

Steering gets tight and loose. No warning or fault light. Gets hard to steer.

NHTSA ODI 11668645

Was driving down the interstate going around a curve and the service power steering message was displayed and lost power steering. Almost went into other lane of traffic almost causing an accident at 70mph. Was able to get vehicle to side of road. Turned off and back on then power steering worked. On the way home the power steering failed again almost causing another wreck. Turned truck off and back on and worked again. This almost caused me to wreck 2 times in one day. The warning message displayed at the exact timing that power steering was lost so no advanced warning of any issues. Code states that there is a software problem with the EPS unit. 2015-2016 Rams had a recall for the exact same issue that I'm having with my 2017 currently. This is a tremendous safety issue and could cost people their lives if not corrected soon!!

NHTSA ODI 11668033

Rack and Pinion failed on me at 99k miles. I just got done with my workout and went to go start up the truck and the service power steering message came on with the power steering indicator light. That wheel would hardly move when I tried to move. I also decided to look under the truck and under the hood for any leaks and nothing and then soon realized after doing a quick google search that the 2013 and up models are electric power assist instead of hydraulic. The truck was towed next day to the dealer and they quoted $3600 to replace the rack and pinion.

NHTSA ODI 11665694

I was going down the road and I couldn't steer my truck the power steering went out cause me to almost wreck power steering is electrical

NHTSA ODI 11662708

My electronic power steering (eps) rack and pinion completely failed out of nowhere. I took it to the dealership and they told me the module basically fried itself and that I had to replace it. I've only owned the truck for 5 months now and can't really afford to pay 4,000+ dollars to repair this defective part.

NHTSA ODI 11662179

My Power steering started going in and out a few months ago. Somehow survived the trip from South Carolina to Alaska. Power steering completely went out on Tuesday, [XXX]. I’ve ran diagnostics and it has to be the EPS rack. The rack is getting power but is not responding. I’ve been hearing this is happening to a lot of 4th gen rams. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11661477

At 76,000 miles the electric steering rack and pinion went out! Causing the steering to be stiff and potentially setting up for accidents since steering just got stiff. After spending $4,000.00 the problem has been replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11660618

Was running errands in town, truck was on and off a few times over 2 hours. Started up leaving restaurant, I had no power steering. Completely gone, the (service power steering) light and warning popped up on my dash. The power steering has been intermediate loss for the past 5 days now. Works when it wants. Took a local shop to get the code read, lost communication to the EPS. Some times when I start the truck, I can drive 1-15 miles, and the power steering goes out suddenly.

NHTSA ODI 11659355

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering failed to function as intended. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The contact was informed that the entire steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB: VB9; but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11655308

The contact owns a 2017 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 55 MPH, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the steering wheel. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering column. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11654128

Update to previously reported incident: Electric Power Steering unit would intermittently stop working - twice while driving and dash warning message to "Service Power Steering" appeared. Took Truck to Ram Dealership who duplicated problem. Dealership had to replace entire Electric Power Steering Rack. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY PROBLEM. I ALMOST RAN THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD WHEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ROUNDING A CURVE. BOTH 2015 AND 2016 RAM 1500 YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM - WHY NOT 2017???? I HAD TO PAY OVER $4,000.00 TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK. WHY HAS 2017 MODELS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET?????

NHTSA ODI 11651724

I was driving and electric steering went out and almost crashed few to no way you can steer it cause front end damage

NHTSA ODI 11651923

Service electronic braking system/ service antilock brake system, (ABS). My local dealership stated this is a nationwide known issue for the past three years with manufacture and supplier issue and that there is no no remedy or fix for this at this time.

NHTSA ODI 11649651

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in a parking area, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering gear. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19E077000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11647661

Was driving my truck and everything was working fine then the power streering just shut off making it very difficult to control the vehicle then proceeded to go off and intermittently at different times after that now it has been completely gone and not came back. The rack and pinion would have to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11647100

Something going on with my electrical in my steering 1 minute I'll have great steering the next minute extremely hard to turn everything is functioning properly boo when you turn it doesn't feedback like it's supposed to you actually have to turn it back so when you turn a curve or corn actually have to pull back or turn the wheel back to get it to go back straight doesn't just kind of follow back like it's supposed to there's definitely an issue looking online there's been numerous people that have had the same issue with the same year off truck it's definitely a safe concern of mine especially when my family rides in it and other people on the road I do believe it should be recalled because there's definitely an issue going on

NHTSA ODI 11646036

While driving slowly, the EPS will turn violently on its own. Service steering warning light comes on.

NHTSA ODI 11645818

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The contact was informed that entire steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11645102

Power Steering intermittently stops working upon starting the vehicle, trying to park the vehicle and twice during driving on the road. This condition makes it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. If on a curved road it could cause the vehicle to leave the road. Problem was replicated by Dodge / Ram dealership with a dash warning to "Service the Power Steering Unit" but code and message disappeared after restarting the vehicle by the technician.

NHTSA ODI 11644350