Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road using excessive force on the steering wheel, ran into a culvert, then ran over the culvert into a driveway and crashed into a trash can, where it came to a stop. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and remained at the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,359.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light was illuminated, and the cruise control feature disengaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was not available and was under engineering review until April 2024. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: S200500000. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two occasions. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle on each occasion, and the warning light was no longer illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel became inoperable. …
Component or system that failed / malfunctioned The brake system (pads, calipers, hydraulic fluid) failed three times in less than 90 days. The right-side tie rod end also separated from the steering assembly. Both components are available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk The brakes repeatedly lost all stopping power while driving, with the pedal going to the floor and the reservoir emptying within minutes. On one occasion, the brake pads and caliper fell off the wheel assembly, confirmed by the dealer's own shop manager. The tie rod failure caused uneven tire wear and a highway blowout, forcing an emergency tow. These issues placed me, my child, and other drivers at risk of a serious crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center? Yes. Premier Auto (the dealer's affiliated garage) confirmed and attempted repairs three times. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V347000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) and 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that while moving the gear shifter out of park(P), the gear was stuck in park(P). The contact opened the door and rocked the vehicle back and forth, then closed the door and moved the gear shifter out of park(P). The contact moved the gear shift lever. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was part of the inheritance his father left. The contact's father had experienced the same failure. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after the vehicle was started, the power steering failed to function as intended and locked up, and the contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel. …
The contact's son owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving at highway speeds, the power steering assist failed. Due to the failure, the contact's son used excessive effort to steer the vehicle off to the left shoulder of the highway. The contact's son called for the vehicle to be towed to an independent mechanic. While the contact's son waited for the tow truck to arrive, the "Service Power Steering" message was displayed on the instrument panel while restarting the engine. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic, and the contact was informed that the power steering assist was electrical and that no repairs could be made to the vehicle. The contact was then informed that there was an unknown recall associated with the failure. The contact was then referred to the dealer who informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the electrical power steering to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Consumer filed a complaint with the Dodge manufacturer for the part number 68536636AB power steering gear. Consumer was told they were not responsible to replace it to contact the dealership cause they have executive programs. The tech at Albany Dodge in Albany Georgia stated it was an internal defective gear which will cost $3,500 to have replaced. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed. The vehicle then taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the ABS module failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and due to parts being on backorder. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed on a separate occasion, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering wheel had failed due to the ABS module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. …
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 contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH in rainy weather, the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left or the right. The ESC warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull into the parking lot, and a day later, the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic, where it was determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall, and that the warranty was invalid. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 19E077000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a chime and the "Steering Maintenance" warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving and exited the highway and stopped at an auto parts store where the contact was advised that the power steering was electrically assisted and was referred to a dealer. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist system needed to be replaced; however, the parts to repair the vehicle were on a national backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The loss of power steering functionality was constant, and the vehicle was no longer drivable. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ23003 (Steering). …
NHTSA investigations
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 380 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance in certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500.The failure allegations occur at various speeds with limited detectability to the driver.On March 23, 2016 Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) conducted recall campaign 16V-167 to address a possible contamination of the electrical power…
Steering complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 640 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Ram 1500, 50% of the model year's 1,279 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ram 1500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2013 Ram 1500, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ram 1500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.