2015 Ram 1500 Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Electric power assist system
  1
• Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  74%
• 25k–50k
  1912%
• 50k–75k
  4931%
• 75k–100k
  3422%
• 100k–150k
  3321%
• 150k+
  149%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH in inclement weather, the power steering assist failed without warning going around a curve. Due to the failure, the contact drove into a ditch which caused minor damages to the front end of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle to her destination. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring upon starting the vehicle and while driving. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering became functional; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. …

The contact owns a 2015 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with her sitting in the passenger's side seat, the transmission inadvertently shifted into drive and the vehicle began to rollaway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: PE16014. The contact stated that while she was preparing to make a turn from a complete stop, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The dealer was not notified of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that once the vehicle was started and shifted into drive while making a left or right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver however while driving straight, the steering wheel returned to normal functionality. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was intermittently jerking. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that previously, the check engine warning light was illuminated; however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the check engine warning light was reset however, and two days later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). …

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact resumed driving; however, the power steering was intermittently inoperable while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving, causing the vehicle to jerk while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinon gears, the intermediate shaft, and the steering wheel needed to be replaced. Additionally, an alignment was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ23003 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while attempting to make a sharp right turn; the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Due to the steering failure, the vehicle coasted across the intersection. Upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering assist failed to operate, requiring excessive force to steer the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) and 19E077000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a steering gear failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the dealer possession. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring at slower and higher speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to return to the center after making a turn. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using an ODB scanner but was unable to retrieve diagnostic test codes for the failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 105,930.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering seized. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact contacted an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic retrieved a fault code for steering failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact informed the dealer of the code that was retrieved. The contact also informed the dealer of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The contact was advised that the vehicle VIN was not associated with the recall and that the repair would not be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,400.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The following day, the vehicle was started, the service power steering warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the power steering was inoperable and failed to function as intended. The contact performed a diagnostic test and retrieved DTC code: C2217, which indicated a failed power steering unit. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact researched NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at speeds under 20 MPH and making a right turn, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. During the failure the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while reversing and making a left turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other 1500 years