Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% | 67,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 7 | 4% | 42,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2018 | 34 | 4% | 18,000 miles |
| 2017 | 18 | 6% | 46,000 miles |
| 2016 | 29 | 22% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 22 | 16% | 30,000 miles |
| 2014 | 41 | 20% | 35,000 miles |
| 2013 | 38 | 33% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 33% | — |
| 2007 | 2 | 33% | 56,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the electric power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the wiring harness connector due to water intrusion, resulting in damages to the electric power steering control module. The contact was informed that the connector seal had failed to prevent the entrance of water leading to water damage. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving on a main street at 10 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle experienced a loss of steering. The contact stated that the steering linkage had disconnected. The contact stated there was a clunking sound underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that a bolt securing the steering rod to the steering linkage had detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering linkage had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
We have had the truck a year, it started as pulling to the right, we kept track of tire pressure and there had been no tire pressure differences. The passenger front tire wears unevenly. We have had 2 alignments, we replaced the tires due to severe wear damage and 2 weeks later the tire had significant wear damage again. The front end continues to pull to the right with correct tire pressure and correct alignment.
What braking towing a 36' 5th wheel Rv steering wheel shakes extremely bad. No issues not towing. Ram dealer could not find anything wrong this has happened from the time I bought the vehicle January 2022 it had 17000 miles to current 35950 miles
The contact's employer owns a 2019 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable, the vehicle went off-road and crashed into a tree, swiping the passenger's side mirror, the front passenger's hubcap, and the bed of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the workplace. There was no police report filed. The contact stated that the employee had a bruise on the right arm and a small cut on the right cheek. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,927.
I was driving on the highway north from Lawton Oklahoma to Oklahoma City Oklahoma when my truck steering wheel abruptly began to violently shake and the truck dart to the right. I slowed to about 5 miles per hour and the truck began to bounce, left to right. I took the truck to a ram dealer and was informed the the driver side front tire needed immediate replacement. My truck has 12,500. miles on the odometer at the time of the incident. After dealer I took the truck to a tire shop (listened to how Nexen tires are poorly constructed). I also researched the exact tire on my truck further and learned that treat separation happens without notice. I also spoke with a friend who owns a similar ram and learned he had already replace his tires for the same issue. Low mileage in his example as well. I save both front tires for inspection if anyone is interested. These tires are clearly unsafe!
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 55-70 MPH, he lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then continued driving by the side of the road at 35 MPH and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The lug nuts were welded to the adjustment sleeve; however, the drag link was not replaced. The contact stated that the weld later fractured, and the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Carson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (3059 S Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701) where it was diagnosed that the drag link needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started bouncing and he lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated as he released the accelerator pedal, he was able to regain control of the steering wheel. The steering warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle, but he could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated as he attempted to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel started vibrating uncontrollably. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering linkage needed to be replaced and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in the recall. …
Related recalls (5)
Steering › Steering control module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403.
Steering › Steering control module
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 3500 Classic, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2023-2024 Ram 2500, 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the high beams to activate when the turn signal is used or activate the turn signal when the high beams are used.
Remedy: Dealers will update the steering column control module (SCCM) software, and inspect and replace the module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2023.
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019.
Steering
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 RAM 2500 trucks, and RAM 3500 trucks and cab chassis. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, possibly resulting in the bracket components separating from the frame.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will weld on a new track bar frame bracket or replace the frame of the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2016.
Steering
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ram 2500 trucks and 2013-2014 Ram 3500 trucks and cab chassis manufactured October 9, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, which may result in the bracket components separating from the…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket over the front track bar bracket. This recall began on February 24, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 trucks manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA).
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 3500 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (41), 2013 (38), 2018 (34), 2016 (29) and 2015 (22) model years. Steering complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Ram 3500 steering problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 25V-765 (steering control module, Nov 6, 2025); 23V-799 (steering control module, Nov 28, 2023); 19V-021 (connection, Jan 25, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ram 3500 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › drag › link › connection (2 mentions), followed by the linkages (1).
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.