Home · 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Trx · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (858)Crash / fire / injury (98)Steering (220)Engine (154)Electrical system (105)Transmission & drivetrain (97)Fuel system (95)Brakes (94)Airbags (53)Suspension (48)Speed control (41)Body & structure (35)

220 of 858 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 5 of 9

Jul 27, 2024SteeringElectrical systemCrash

I pulled in a parking spot came back an hour later started my truck put it in reverse I had no steering, I pulled forward put in park then reverse. My steering was not there. Turning the trick off and back on no warning lights. After sitting for 2 hrs I turned the truck on a red light started flashing. Service power steering . I just bought the truck so I took it back to the dealership big Joe's auto. My dad attempted to drive it and put it in the ditch because he could not steering. The dealership would not send a tow truck.

NHTSA ODI 11604927

Jul 10, 2024Steering

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer along with Vaden Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Brunswick (912) 456-8371), and Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Arlington (904) 414-4746) were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,955.

NHTSA ODI 11600971

Jul 8, 2024Steering

The electrical power steering completely went out. Thankfully right before getting on interstate. It is locked up with no give at all. The dealership it is at says he hasn't had 1 like this hardly at all where you can't steer what so ever. This happened at an intersection. Recalls on 2014 to 2016 of these trucks were done and why if the steering completey locks up like this is there not one on this year?

NHTSA ODI 11600137

Jul 5, 2024Steering

Was driving my truck on vacation and the steering locked up and is stuck! Rack and pinion fail diagnosed by the dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11599286

Jul 2, 2024SteeringElectrical system

Power steering suddenly stopped working. Same description as the other model years involved in the recall. Electric power steering goes out randomly, replacement part is extremely expensive, and nearly impossible to find available. This truck was this truck was produced in 2016 although model year 2017. Electric power steering is the same for the 13’-16’ model years. 2017 should be included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11598364

Jun 7, 2024Steering

Intermittent electric power steering loss. One minute it is easy to turn then the next it is like it is fighting against you and is hard to turn. It happens at slower speeds more often .

NHTSA ODI 11592986

Jun 5, 2024Steering

Complete loss of power steering resulting in a near head on collision with another motorist. Cause of the loss of power steering was determined to be electronic components of the circuit board located inside of the steering rack had short circuited.

NHTSA ODI 11592541

May 12, 2024Steering

Suddenly and without any warning my power steering started to get unresponsive and difficult to safely navigate corners or stay in my lane. The truck only has 59,000 miles on it and I wouldn't think that is enough to make the steering rack fail. I know that there was a recall for the 2014 -2016 1500s so I was wondering if my 2017 was affected by the same issues? I am feeling unsafe driving this vehicle but it is my only transportation to work. What is the the best next step for me to resolve this without any out of pocket expenses if this is a recall issue?

NHTSA ODI 11588331

May 10, 2024Steering

When turning right or left a continuous speeds, the vehicle loses power steering altogether or snaps the steering wheel back

NHTSA ODI 11588163

May 7, 2024Steering

Electronic power steering intermittent failure w service light. Dealer informed no parts available for replacement. Previous recalls on other models ram 1500 with same issues.

NHTSA ODI 11587561

May 6, 2024SteeringElectrical system

The power steering went out while driving. I don’t know why. All I know is it’s not safe for that to happen. I guess that why the recall was about. This truck did not get the steering issue fixed.now it definitely should be taking care of since I’m unable to drive without it. I’ve had shops look at it and they found the recalls

NHTSA ODI 11587095

May 2, 2024Steering

My daughter and I was parked eating our lunch. When we pulled out onto the busy highway, the power steering completely went out making it impossible to turn. Barely avoided a crash.

NHTSA ODI 11586501

Apr 28, 2024Steering

Power steering stop work and takes extreme force to turn it. Almost drove off a t-intersection when came time to turn with no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11585678

Apr 24, 2024SteeringElectrical system

Out driving and power steering stopped working making it very difficult to turn the steering wheel especially on slow turns. Having it in the repair shop tomorrow to see what issues and cost to fix.

NHTSA ODI 11584980

Apr 16, 2024Steering

was driving stopped at stop sign. went to turn left and message popped up stating " service power steering" truck lost power steering had to break and reverse due to almost hitting pole and not being able to turn left. put truck in park. turned truck off turned truck back on and power steering message still was there. no prior warnings prior to driving truck. no other issues prior to power steering failure. My safety was at risk where I could of crashed vehicle into pole. my husband called dealer and is awaiting a call back. As of 4/16 no call back yet. Vehicle is sitting in driveway now due to not being able to drive safely with it with power steering loss.

NHTSA ODI 11583237

Apr 13, 2024Steering

My power steering started to get "sticky points" and then today I lost all power steering. After a Google search I checked the fuses and both were fine. But it seems to be a issue with this generation of trucks. And I saw that they're looking into the problem and may issue a recall in the future

NHTSA ODI 11582830

Apr 12, 2024Steering

I was driving down the road at 30 mph and my steering wheel seized, I got a check steering alarm on my dash.

NHTSA ODI 11582518

Apr 10, 2024Steering

The power steering is intermittently getting very difficult control. There seems to be "tight spots " turning right and left. This issue is getting progressively worse. I have not lost control of the vehicle yet but it is getting worse and I rely on this vehicle for transportation to and from work

NHTSA ODI 11582229

Apr 9, 2024Steering

I was driving on a highway on a rainy day when I felt a small vibration in the front end of my truck. Suddenly, the service electric steering system light comes on my dash and I can't hardly turn the steering wheel. I lost all power steering in my truck, occasionally it would try to turn on while trying to drive it home, then the service steering light would come on and jerk the steering wheel in my hand, which is very hard to hold on to and I'm a big guy. If this were to happen to a smaller person, I'm not sure how they would be able to keep from going in the ditch or worse, rolling the truck. This I was told by a ram dealership is due to a faulty rack and pinion steering system, which is a $2800 fix. I'm honestly glad it wasn't my wife or kids driving the truck, this could have been way worse!

NHTSA ODI 11581948

Apr 4, 2024Steering

While driving to work this morning the power steering went out with no warning. I was driving on the highway and the steering wheel started jerking and then became very stiff. Had I been in a curve when this happened I could have easily gone off the road or into oncoming traffic. I was able to slow down and limp my truck to work. I am on shift for 24 hours so I have not been able to have a mechanic look at it yet but I have done a lot of research today and multiple people have had very similar problems. There was even a recall on the 2016 ram 1500 for the exact same problem. When I began investigating my own vehicle I checked all associated fuses which were good. I also checked to make sure power was getting to the electronic power steering module plug and determined that it was. While I was under the truck checking I discovered that the rack and pinion had already been replaced. This is a very serious safety issue that is apparently happening in multiple vehicles, multiple times. This component and my truck are available for inspection as long as I have them.

NHTSA ODI 11581245

Mar 26, 2024Steering

The electronic power steering (EPS) failed 8 months ago. It started with intermittent failure while driving. Complete failure occurred within 1 week of the problem starting making steering very difficult. I had God's Speed Automotive in Colorado City, Texas look at it and the rack and pinion require replacement. There are no recalls on this model but there are many recalls with similar models.

NHTSA ODI 11579463

Mar 24, 2024Steering

Vehicle has begun having intermittent Electronic Power Assist failure. There are no warning lights indicating a failure. It happens when making either right or left hand turns and can be felt at slow speeds. You have to be ready for the intermittent failure on these type turns as you have manually force the steering to com back to a neutral position. This is the same failure recalled on other Ram trucks just not mine. 2017 Model Year 1500 Crew Cab. VB9/NHTSA 19E-077 Dealer estimated $5000 for repairs basically replacing the entire steering mechanism, how can this not be a serious failure.

NHTSA ODI 11579109

Mar 21, 2024Steering

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH he observed that a symbol of a steering wheel with an exclamation point appeared. The contact felt the steering wheel had become very hard to turn. The contact pulled off of the road and turned the vehicle off and on several times, however, the power steering functionality did not reengage. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined the rack and pinon gears and electric power steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19E077000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11578741

Mar 18, 2024Steering

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after pulling out of the driveway and making a turn, the steering wheel failed to return to the center. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while turning. The contact stated that it was increasingly more difficult to turn the steering wheel back to center manually. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11578091

Mar 15, 2024Steering

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds up to 40 MPH and turning, the steering wheel was loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ODI 11577516

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Working with the data? Download all 858 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Trx verdict →