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

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to regain control of the vehicle and stop the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ODI 11643972

Electronic power steering just shut off randomly a year after my extended warranty was up costing 3-4000 $ in repair bills this is absurd that this has not been recalled yet

NHTSA ODI 11643230

Driving on highway power steering suddenly stopped could not turn around curve. Loss control ran another oncoming car off road. Stopped vehicle on side of ditch. Steering wheel would not turn easily. Shut truck off. Restarted and steering wheel resumed normal operation.

NHTSA ODI 11643253

Electronic power steering is working intermittently or not working, making it extremely difficult to steer. It’s doing the same thing as previous years that was recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11641498

While driving this truck at approximately 45 mph to 50mph the steering locked up and could not turn wheel either way with both hands . It then broke loose causing to truck to take a herd right turn . It does same thing if you are pulling to left when it frees up causing a quick left hand turn . This is very dangerous as total loss of steering occurred . Luckily there was room to stop . The steering then started working again then after consort distance it happened again . At this point I had a roll back haul it home . This could cause serious injury to me and or my family or someone coming in other lane . This is a totally bad design a vehicle should never be unable to be steered .

NHTSA ODI 11640422

I will lose steering ability at random times and it will jerk the truck while driving or turning. I have checked to see if there are any open recalls currently and there are none

NHTSA ODI 11639973

My power steering randomly cuts out, I get a service power steering message and then eventually the power steering comes back. I took it to a local dealer it did not fail during the time they had it. There were no codes. I bought an obd reader and when the power steering failed, no codes. There are no indicators or obvious scenarios that can replicate the symptoms. It’s totally random. It does seem to happen more in cooler weather.

NHTSA ODI 11636843

The power steering stopped working while driving. Almost drove off the road because it is so hard to steer.

NHTSA ODI 11636019

While driving several times since purchasing it the vehicles steering had completely locked and I've had to slam on brakes in middle of traffic before i crash several times, very close to causing serious injuriesto myself or others and possibly death. This has happened numerous times since i bought it. I took it to the dealership where I purchased it, they said they fix it in 2021 it has happend several times since then also, im scared to drive it. Or it will get super lose like a joy stick, but won't turn at all. Ive taken it to several other dealerships for diagnosis with similar results. Now when i brought it to the dealership where i purchased they're saying they have to charge to diagnosis it again when I have several other diagnosis stating same problem plus i brought it here in 2021 same problem. so there own diagnosis which should be in system, ive went to another dodge dealership for diagnosis and auto separate auto repair shop who confirmed the same electrical power steering issues. They even printed papers stating the 2015-2016 ram had same problem and recalls on same steering wheel issues.

NHTSA ODI 11635807

Lost eps while pulling my Travel Trailer. Was able to get stopped without incident. Restarted vehicle and had eps. On another occasions ,started vehicle and no eps. This has become a problem any time the outside temperature is below 65 degrees. Can usually get eps after letting engine warm up.

NHTSA ODI 11634228

In my 2017 dodge ram 1500 big horn, the rack and pinioning computer system failed while driving it. Dealer ship stated it was a pretty common failure and the parts are normally in high demand. After doing research it appears that the years around 2017 have had recalls on the same part but the 2017 does not. If the system failed while someone unfamiliar with driving a car with no power steering it could cause wrecks and serious health problems.

NHTSA ODI 11632671

Power steering failed while driving. Replace the power steering rack (dealership replaced it). It still failing due to the torque sensor or the steering wheel, a steering wheel angle sensor being faulty,. Very dangerous if the vehicles power steering randomly stops doing its job while in motion.

NHTSA ODI 11632060

experiencing total power steering loss, and intermittent loss of power steering

NHTSA ODI 11631175

Experiencing intermittent loss of power steering making it difficult to turn or maneuver the vehicle, which is more prevalent during colder temperatures. A safety issue is created by the inability to react quickly or control the vehicle in certain situations, such as icy or snowy road conditions where loss of traction occurs. A diagnostic scan has been performed and a code was recorded for a short circuit, or low voltage, to the power steering. Code for power steering was first noticed in July, 2024. Intermittent loss of power steering was first noticed in October, 2024. Code was cleared and has not returned. However, the most recent diagnostic run is now showing a code for, “Battery Voltage - circuit voltage below threshold” (C2129-16). Other codes are present for open/short circuit for the passenger door module as well. Between July and October other electrical related issues were experienced. This includes incorrect reading of heading/direction displayed on dash (showing N when driving S) and complete loss of function of radio controls in center stack. Both issues occurred at seemingly randomly instances and were often corrected by turning the vehicle off and back on, have not occurred since October, 2024.

NHTSA ODI 11631274

Electric power steering failed suddenly while making a left turn, on a two lane highway, left me in the oncoming lane with risk for near head on collision. My [XXX] old old drives this truck, she would not have had the strength to turn the wheel enough to avoid collision or hit a tree. No signs of this problem before incident, took me by surprise. The service power steering light came on after and continues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11630397

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds in a parking lot, the power steering function was inoperable. There was loss in communication with the rack and pinion. The power steering service message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a power steering rack replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,851.

NHTSA ODI 11629817

I drove from NC to Philadelphia in early October 2024. I parked at Delta Hotel near Philadelphia airport and stayed the night for a 6am appointment with my physician. At approx. 5:30 am, I exited the hotel to drive to my physician appointment. When I started the truck, a dashlight flashed (service power steering) and I had no power steering. The weather was about 40 degrees and winds about 20 mph. Without power steering, I drove approx. 10 miles to my physician appointment. I parked in a parking garage. At approximately 10 am, I had completed my physician appointment. I went to the truck and started it up. Service light was now off, and I drove back to NC without incident. For the past 1.5 months, I assessed the problem. Basically, if the temperature is less than 50 degrees, I have no power steering. if it is over 50 degrees, steering operation is normal, and the (service power steering) is not illuminated. Currently the truck is in the garage attached to the house. Typically the garage temperature is 58 degrees. In the garage, the steering operation is normal and no warning messages are displayed. When the vehicle exits garage and encounters cooler than 50 degree air, the problem resurfaces.

NHTSA ODI 11628052

Loss of steering in cold weather. Electronic Power Steering warning light comes on saying service power steering. This is the same issue that Ram 2013-2016 models were already recalled for. Safety issue when power steering goes out while driving in cold weather, extremely hard to turn the steering wheel to get the truck off the road to a safe place. Parts are not readily available, long back orders, and $3k repair quote. Problem is reproducible by the dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11626974

Power steering control not working. It's getting power but not engaging the motor.

NHTSA ODI 11613843

Was driving down highway and steering wheel locked up and service power steering alarm came on, almost hit an oncoming car in opposite flow of traffic. Shut truck off and re started it and was able to limp the truck home on back roads with the steering still intermittently giving out. Got it home and called service to get it scheduled and had to have it towed as steering went fully out and the shop said the whole electronic power steering rack and pinion went out and needs replaced, now I have to cough up over $4300 to fix it on a new truck, let alone im scared to death to drive it as the shop said this is an ongoing problem with a lot of Ram pickups due to water getting into the EPS board and shorting it out. Ram needs to recall this!! I had my girlfriend and baby in the truck with me and we could have all gotten hurt when the steering went out down the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11612192

The electric power steering failed while driving with no warning. The first time while making a right hand turn, the steering very suddenly lost all power assist and it was near impossible to keep control through the turn. After a few seconds it began to work again. Several miles later while traveling approx 60 mph it happened again and I was barely able to keep it on the road until I could show down and pull off to the side. After shutting the car off for about 20 mins. I started the truck and it worked all the way home about 5 miles. For a couple days if I disconnected the negative battery cable for a while it would work again until I shut off the truck. And then it started happening intermittently while driving so I parked the truck until it could be fixed. After some research I learned there is a recall on the 2013's to 2016's for the same problem with many exact complaints about 2017's. For two weeks I've been searching for a new steering rack (part number 68628857AA) and there are none available with backorders of 45+ plus days with dealerships telling me they have customers who have been waiting 6 months for one. It's a $2000 - $3000 part depending on the dealership. They want you to pay for it and wait 6 months to get it which is absolutely absurd. Please help!

NHTSA ODI 11610547

I am writing this letter about a vehicle I purchased in November 2023. The vehicle purchased was a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Diesel from Rick Chevrolet in Virginia Beach VA. The truck has many defects. The first month I took it back for a leaking tire, broken windshield, oil leak and because it drove funny and I did not know what was wrong with it, but I knew something was wrong. They kept the truck for approximately a week or two. In April I hit a pothole in Norfolk off [XXX] and I didn’t know what had happened to the truck. I left it in Norfolk until the next morning because I could not get a tow truck to come out that night. I had my truck towed to Dodge, Ram and FIAT in Norfolk VA. They told me the Tie Rod, Axle, had broken. The Dealer then, told me that the truck would not align so they sent it to the Collision Center. The collision center told me that the truck had a bent frame and it did not happen due to the pothole. That the truck was a death trap and I need not to drive it that the dealer should not have sold me that truck. I went and talked to the Manager at Rick Chevrolet named Kerry and he said we could swap the truck, but I had to make a down payment of an excessive amount due to my credit. I did not know that this truck was a nightmare and I feel why should I have to pay for someone selling me a truck that can kill me and whoever is riding with me. I bought the truck because they are supposed to be safe. This is ridiculous and the dealership is not trying to help me out of this by putting me in a safe vehicle. I am paying for something that is going to cause me bodily harm or my life, and they want me to pay more to get into a safe vehicle. This truck should not have been sold and because it was, they need to take responsibility and swap me out of this death trap. Can you please look into this matter. The collision center gave me copies of what they did, and what they found wrong with the truck and a picture of frame being bent. The firewall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11608617

The electronic power steering (EPS) system failed while driving down the road. Lost the ability to steer the vechical and came close to having a accident head on.we had to cost down the road way until we reached the shoulder. The truck has 80,000 miles . Yes the warning lamp lit up once the system stopped operating properly not before we lost the ability to steer, the warning was a steering wheel and ! Point. There was no pre warning. Had to have the truck trailered back home.

NHTSA ODI 11608239

the truck drove just fine the day before, got into the truck and turned it on got a "service steering" light and message. tried to turn the steering wheel and it will not turn. IT read multiple codes as i have a code reader, checked power and fuses and everything was good but one code keeps coming up c2217 which seems to be associated with a recall for the 2015-16 and 2019 rams. my truck is stuck in my driveway and can not turn the steering wheel to drive safely. luckily i was not driving like some others have been.

NHTSA ODI 11608016

My power steering intermittently locks while driving, particularly in the process of a turn. It is just a momentary lock, but it does interfere with the turning process. One time it locked and stayed locked. I shut the vehicle down and restarted, and it would not come back, had to sit for about 15 minutes, no accident as of yet. The dealership states I will have to replace the whole front end (both racks) steering system. My vehicle is a 2017 RAM with 48,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11607731