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 2017 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact used a portable diagnostic tester to diagnose the vehicle and retrieved DTC: U0001 and U0402. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that an error code had been received, which indicated low voltage. The contact stated that the independent mechanic did not understand what the low voltage meant. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with steering control module failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure occurred while starting the vehicle after the vehicle had not been driven for more than a day. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering column shaft. The contact stated that the steering column shaft would be sprayed with lubricant, which would temporarily correct the failure; however, the failure returned after consistent driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel to make a turn, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic rack and pinion. The contact was informed that the electronic rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure started a month before while the contact was driving the vehicle and making a turn, and the contact heard an abnormal scratching sound. The contact stated that after the failure the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
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 contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The contact was informed that entire steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, several unknown transmission codes were displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that a transmission flush was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering rack had short-circuited and needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,455.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while moving out of a parking space, the steering fault warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was not included in an unknown recall. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion steering column needed to be replaced. The contact had a certified mechanic repair the vehicle. The contact stated that water leaked into the circuit and caused the failure to reoccur. The contact took the vehicle to a car wash several months later and water leaked into the circuit causing the failure to recur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
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.
While moving across a parking lot to the back row, my truck suddenly and without warning sharply turned left. This sharp turned was not initiated by me. The turn resulted in a severe impact with a light pole concrete base, causing severe damage to the left front bumper and fender. Also caused damage to the interior steering column. Luckily no other person or vehicle was involved, and I was not injured in this event. The front wheels were lock in extreme left position. Due to the severe damage, my truck had to be towed. The tow truck driver stated that the steering was also locked. The truck has since been deemed irreparable by the insurance company. My son made me aware that there have been 59 similar issues reported with the steering of the 2017 Ram 1500.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel operated as designed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Steering complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2017 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 229 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Ram 1500, 26% of the model year's 883 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ram 1500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2017 Ram 1500, though it has 13 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 2017 Ram 1500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.