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 2018 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1. Electronic power steering rack and pinnion and the control module on the rack for power steering. Yes vehicle is available for inspection. 2. While driving 100km (62miles)/hr on a highway lost all steering control and was forced to hit the ditch to avoid a roadway curve and oncoming traffic. Brakes functioned but steering did not. Putting my families lives and others at risk of a vehicle collision. No injuries were sustained. 3. Steering control issues has been confirmed by a dealership and mechanic shop. 4. Unknown if it has been inspected by authorities generically. My vehicle has not been inspected other than by dodge and an independent service provider. 5. After power steering failed, check engine dash light has come on, not allowing command start or other functions to be used. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated when he first started the vehicle he observed that a red steering wheel with an exclamation point was flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that when he had shifted the vehicle into drive (D) and was turning the steering wheel to drive onto a street onto the street the steering wheel was locked. The contact turned the vehicle off and on several times and was able to regain power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was now an ongoing failure. The red steering wheel warning was no longer flashing as was constantly illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering gear and a printed circuit card needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power functionality and was difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure almost caused two accidents. The contact's husband was able to avoid the accidents and drove the vehicle to a safe location and parked the vehicle. The contact's husband turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the system had reset itself and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle was scheduled for another diagnostic appointment in several days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, the power steering functionality was inoperable. The contact needed to use both hands to turn the steering wheel. The steering wheel would continuously turn in the opposite direction. The steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The service power steering message was displayed. The contact viewed a video regarding the lower steering shaft u joint. The contact used a tester and checked the fuses. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was needed and that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and there was no recall associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel was turned to the left and became difficult to turn back to the center. The vehicle was stopped, and the steering wheel symbol in red was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, but failed to reset the power steering assist. The failure was intermittent but gradually became a recurring failure. The failure became permanent. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was no longer driven. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently pulled to the left and then the right, causing the contact to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. Upon slowing down, the contact stated that the steering wheel was tight and maneuvering the vehicle was extremely difficult. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electric power steering however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V812000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became very stiff, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. The contact was informed that the EPS and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was then referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. While driving through a parking lot and hauling a boat, the steering wheel seized, and there was a screeching sound coming from the steering column. The contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the power steering light suddenly illuminated and the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer for service. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Steering complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Ram 1500, 13% of the model year's 665 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ram 1500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2018 Ram 1500, though it has 15 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 2018 Ram 1500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.