2016 Ram 1500 Steering
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Power steering assist quit working while driving. It appears to be an electrical problem because it works when restarting engine before it goes out again. There are no apparent mechanical issues with it.
Saturday [XXX], around noon, I was driving my family and my electronic power steering went out. The steering wheel became to stiff during a turn into a voting station, and I almost ran over a curb hitting pedestrians. I turned off the vehicle and restarted it and a red power steering indicated lamp lit on the dashboard, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The mechanic I called recommended I check NHTSA Saftey Recalls, and found this for 2016 Ram Trucks: ":16V-167 / S19 Recall Summary The power steering system may stop functioning because of a short circuit in the electric power steering (EPS) control circuit board. This would increase risk of a crash." However, me VIN is not covered in the recall. I called RAM to let them know and opened a case, and they recommended I report this to NHTSA . I was not able to get the truck to a RAM dealer, but the mechanic I took it to said that the electronics have failed and the entire steering assembly needs to be replaced... Mopar part 68628858AA The vehical is under repair now, 5/7, after purchasing a new assembly from a dealership. Mechanic Brian @ Drivers Edge. Address: 2980 FM 423, Little Elm, TX 75068 Phone: (214) 423-0301 Products and Services: mydriversedge.com I do not have a labor invoice yet, but can submit after repairs are completed. Part Charge is attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the steering unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
My power steering assist failed. This put my life and my kids lives at risk, as well as anyone else on the rroad.
I am having trouble with the electronic power steering. The power steering goes in and out, making it difficult to turn the steering wheel, making myself feel at risk while in traffic. The problem has not been confirmed yet by a dealer for my specific VIN.
About 2 months ago, the power steering assist stopped working and has been intermittent since. As I drove it to the dealership, I splashed into a puddle and the power steering returned. The dealership ran a check and found the code C2128 but said they could not replicate the problem. They found the PSA module cover was rusty. They wanted to charge $3,500 to replace the module as well as $2,300 to repair both front struts. I took my truck back (power steering inoperable) and researched parts, repair shops and recalls. There is a recall for PSA failure of the year of my vehicle though my truck is not included. I seem to have all the same issues as reported in the NHTSA recall. The power steering is presently still intermittent (wet weather seems to effect it) and feels generally unsafe as it fails and returns without warning. No other symptoms or indications before, during or after failure(s).
While driving My Dodge Ram 1500 on the freeway at 65 MPH the steering wheel locked up and I had no control over my vehicle. The vehicle put everyone on the freeway in danger, including myself. Each time this happened the engine light and the light for the traction control system came on. This has happened multiple times and each time I have reported it to the dealership, they say they can not help me unless it happens while they are driving it. Please address this before someone gets hurt because of my steering column locking up.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact attempted to veer to the right or left, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall had expired. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the EPS system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the EPS system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.
- Power Steering Failed - Was driving highway speed - Suddenly steering wheel stiffened/locked - Dashboard warning light cam on and audible alert stating "Service Power Steering" Truck was able to be guided manually (very difficult - inexperienced driver or individual with less strength would not be able to turn steering wheel ) - not yet - This happened Sunday [XXX] - Truck is currently in the drive at my residence. - Warning lamp and audible alert - At time of incident - I did notice the steering was a little wonky 2 - 3 days prior. (Believed to be tie-rod/Ball joint etc.) Had called local garage to set up inspection (Due in May) to check front end. Below it request (how fast were we traveling) I mention this because, On Saturday evening [XXX] Between [XXX] and [XXX] We were traveling highway speeds 65 - 70 (Flow of traffic) in low visibility (Dark/Rainy) If this has occurred during that period there likely would be "Additional Details" to provide in the below. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have electronic steering in my 2016 dodge ram it is failing when driving the truck has under 100,000 miles on it. It just happened all at once while driving to work one morning.
The power steering keeps going out and coming back
Power steering fails intermittently while driving. Been told it the EPSboard but I'm not part of the recall for some reason
Steering issues with power steering not working properly.
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 called the manufacturer, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and after several minutes the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH and driving over a bump in the road, the steering wheel seized while going around a corner. The driver was able to avoid a crash and moved over safely. There was an alarm activated inside the vehicle. The message to check the power steering was displayed. After waiting approximately 5-10 minutes, the message disappeared. The contact linked the failure NHTSA Action Number: RQ23003 (Steering). The contact called the local dealer and was provided with the cost for a diagnostic test and an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
The steering is difficult as though the power steering is gone at low speeds. My battery died and after disconnecting it and replacing the battery, the power steering was fine for a few days. It then went back to not working and hasn’t worked since. Steering the truck around turns through a city is difficult when power steering isn’t available. No warning lights or check engine lights have been illuminated.
The electric power steering system failed while I was driving. I was travelling at approximately 20mph the first time it stopped working and had just finished a turn onto a residential street. The dash said "service power steering" and the check engine light came on. I pulled the vehicle over, turned it off, then turned it on again and the power steering started working again but the check engine light was still on. Later that day, the check engine light turned itself off. I was driving on the freeway later that day and lost the power steering again travelling approximately 55mph. The vehicle became nearly impossible to steer and put myself and others on the road around me at risk due to the speed I was travelling and lack of control I had when the steering went out. Fortunately I was able to pull over and restart the vehicle and regain power steering to get my vehicle home. I have not taken the vehicle to a dealer yet.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,238.
Partial loss of power steering while driving.
While driving almost complete loss of steering. Very hard to turn. After a battery reset, it corrected, but very short lived. I was able to get the vehicle home, but has been undriveable since. Now there is absolutely no steering at all, the rack and pinion is completely locked. The only warning light is the "service power steering" light on the dash, no codes in the computer. Through research, I found that there is a known issue with the computer board on the rack and pinion which is known to cause this problem. The only solution is to replace the rack and pinion with a new one. There is already a recall for vehicles that predate mine, but mine is not included. I have just ordered a new rack and pinion and am having it replaced, but there is a significant core charge, so I will not be keeping the old one.
I have a 2016 ram 1500 with 25,000 miles on it. the electronic steering went out on me and almost caused me to wreck into other traffic. they do have some 2016 ram trucks that have recalls on contaminated steering issues but mine did not qualify. after doing research it seems many other owners are in the same situation with the steering going out for no reason. I took the truck to the dealer and had recalls done to it but the steering was not on my trucks recall list. The issue is a danger and could have caused a really bad highway accident due to the steering going out. I think this issue needs to be told before more highway accidents or fatalities happen before this issue is addressed. Thanks
Power steering quits working while driving.
Power steering (EPS) warning flashes when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Wheels immediately become difficult to turn.
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Quick Summary
The 2016 Ram 1500 has 239 Steering complaints on file. 4 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.