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 2016 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while in reverse (R) and moving at approximately 4 MPH, the steering wheel had frozen, and he was not able to turn the wheel. The contact stated that he had crashed into his other vehicle. The contact stated that the front end of the other vehicle was not damaged; however, the vehicle he was driving in had damage to the bumper and tailgate. The contact stated that the traction warning light had illuminated after the crash. The contact stated that his insurance company had the vehicle towed to a collision shop. The contact was advised by the collision shop that, before he could get the collision damage repaired, the power steering failure needed to be repaired. …
The contact owned a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact's husband stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became inoperable and the vehicle unexpectedly veered to the left with no warning lights illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact's husband collided with a car carrier vehicle. The contact's husband suffered multiple injuries and was transported to a local emergency room. The contact 's husband suffered injuries included a contusion to the nose, a head injury, broken ribs, and damage to his lower teeth. The contact's husband also had lower broken teeth that required surgical removal. The contact's husband stated that the airbags did deploy during the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and deemed totaled by the towing company. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at at 25 MPH, the steering wheel tightened without warning. The contact used excessive force to untighten the steering wheel; the power steering assist returned to normal operation. The contact replaced the ball joints, inner tie rods, and several other parts in the vehicle after the failure. A year after the initial failure, the contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the same failure occurred again without warning. Due to the failure, the contact hit a a curb and damaged the front end of the vehicle. The air bag did not deploy; the contact was not injured. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to his home where it remained in his possession. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH, the steering became inoperable. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into the curb, and the passenger side tire popped. The driver continued to drive and parked. The contact changed the tire, and upon starting the vehicle, the tire and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact noticed the passenger side fender and rim were scraped from the cement. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). There were no reported injuries, airbag deployment, or police report filed. The contact called the local dealer, who scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The complaint was filed on behalf of the customer. The contact stated while the customer was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The vehicle was uncontrollable. The customer's vehicle drove on a sidewalk. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering module. In addition, the contact stated that the electronic steering module was filled with water. The contact stated that the electronic power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) was performed on the VIN two years ago. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed with the "Service Power Steering" warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while making a left turn. The contact stated that due to the failure there was almost a crash with another vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to sit for several minutes. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, the "Service Power Steering" warning light was off. Additionally, the contact stated that the power steering failure was persistent. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and heard an abnormal buzzing sound. The contact stated that the "Steering Wheel" symbol with an exclamation point was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stopped and turned off, and restarted the vehicle to attempt to reset the steering assist; however, the vehicle to return to normal functionality. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the electric power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall related to the failure, NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The contact had called a dealer but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the steering wheel jerked to the left. Additionally, while making a turn, the steering wheel jerked to the opposite direction. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. The message "Check Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact borrowed a screwdriver to access the power steering electrical wires. The contact discovered that the power steering wiring and electrical plug wiring were burned and melted. The contact purchased a new rack and pinion, but had become aware that the rack and pinion replacement would not repair the vehicle due to the burned electrical wiring. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while pulling out of the garage and onto the driveway, the steering wheel seized, and the message "Power Steering Needs to Be Serviced" was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as intended, and the contact slowly drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); however, the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer, RAM, was notified of the failure via website and by phone, and a case was filed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds under 25 MPH and turning, the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel was held firmly until the steering wheel released. The contact stated that on another occasion while the vehicle was parked, the power-steering warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle, but the steering wheel was stiff, and the contact was unable to drive any further. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion, steering gear, and linkage, AUX coolant pump, and driver's seat airbag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V812000 (Steering). …
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to September 13, 2015. Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS unit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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 2016 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 314 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Ram 1500, 20% of the model year's 1,554 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ram 1500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-167 (electric power assist system, Mar 23, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire 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.